GIC director Robin Raskin explains how individual experimentation that graduates to a centralized vision for how AI will be deployed, is the secret sauce for insuring that a culture of AI inclusivity and creativity is fostered without wreaking havoc on the company’s mission. 

Years ago, when I was one of the early editors of PC Magazine, we relied on “sneakernet” – running from desk to desk with floppy disks filled with magazine copy that needed to be written, edited, fact-checked and laid out into magazine format. A few years later, we bought a Novell LAN – one of the first local area networks. It was a transformative moment, but it required two important ingredients: a new process for routing copy through the chain of editors and plenty of time for the staff to get used to the new process. How to carve out the time to learn new things in a fast-paced job environment is a constant issue. Our LAN sat in the company closet for a few weeks, and then we made a vow to make LAN use a priority. Putting in time and effort would ultimately save us time and keep us competitive.  

The imperative to incorporate AI into the workflow is not that different. You need the same ingredients: time for the staff to learn and a process that incorporates the new skills in a thoughtful manner.  

Permission to Experiment

The first part – experimentation is already well underway at many of the more tech-forward companies. According to a 2024 survey by Microsoft and LinkedIn, 75 per cent of employees reported using AI at work in some capacity. Every manager needs to encourage their staff to “play in the AI sandbox” daily and see which part of their jobs AI can assist. For some, that might be writing emails and reports, for others it may be generating marketing materials, for others it will be crunching financial numbers or writing code. 

By fostering a workplace that embraces AI experimentation, you can:

  • Discover New Talent:  Identifying employees with an aptitude for writing prompts is a skill you might find hidden in your company’s talent pool. 
  • Empower Innovation: Freeing workers from the more mundane parts of their jobs will allow them the “white space” to think more creatively about solving big problems. 
  • Retain Talent: By creating a culture where AI is a shiny object to be pursued, you are investing in your team’s reskilling and longevity.
  • Increase Efficiency:  While results vary, a year-long study conducted by Stanford and MIT,  involving over 5,000 customer support agents at a Fortune 500 software firm found that access to generative AI tools increased productivity by 14 per cent on average. 

Beyond the individual experimentation phase comes implementation into the workflow, and that’s where AI adoption gets a bit trickier.  Some suggestions:

  • Create a white list: A company-wide list of AI Tools that are deemed safe and reliable should be made available. The trick is to try new GenAI products as experiments but make them part of the workflow after careful vetting. 
  • Meet to discuss best practices: As employees experiment with various AI’s, they’ll learn tips and tricks that can be shared with others.
  • Create guardrails: Ensure that AIs are being used in compliance with company guidelines, mission, and branding. 
  • Create a Swat Team: Identify the AI enthusiasts in your company and have them work to codify workflows and appropriate use. 
  • Cross-Pollinate: While each part of an organization will use AI differently, they have a lot to learn from each other. For example, the finance team might help other teams improve efficiencies on budget reports and expense submissions. 

Individual experimentation that graduates to a centralized vision for how AI will be deployed is the secret sauce for ensuring that a culture of AI inclusivity and creativity is being fostered without wreaking havoc on your company’s mission. 

The IFIP IP3 Global Industry Council (GIC) serves as the principal forum for employers and educators to engage with IP3 and shape the global ICT profession. Each month, they feature relevant and insightful ideas in IFIP Insights.

Image Credit: Image Created by Robin Raskin Using Microsoft CoPilot