Episode 90: AI is a Copilot, Not an Autopilot

Maarten Eekels11/07/2024

How can we overcome the stigma that using AI means one did not put any thought into their task or do the job? By understanding AI’s strengths and limitations, we can make the distinction that the future of AI is not only about automation but also collaboration. Organizations can unlock new levels of creativity, efficiency, and innovation, driving their success in an increasingly AI-powered world.

In the latest episode of #shifthappens, Dux Raymond Sy, Chief Brand Officer, and Mario Carvajal, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at AvePoint discuss the transformative power of generative AI in business with Maarten Eekels, Global Solution Director for Data and AI at Rapid Circle, as well as a Microsoft MVP and Regional Director.

As organizations grapple with rapid technological advancements, Maarten offers valuable insights on adoption challenges and the importance of embracing AI for future success. He also explores innovative use cases, from AI-powered conference hosts to mental health applications, encouraging responsible use as a copilot and its potential to elevate our work, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

The State of Generative AI Adoption

Maarten highlights a unique aspect of generative AI adoption: “I think generative AI is one of those products where consumers found out about it before businesses did.” This consumer-led adoption has created both opportunities and challenges for businesses looking to implement AI solutions. While it means many employees are already familiar with AI interfaces, organizations are concerned about data security, cost management, and enterprise-wide AI implementation.

While many organizations are experimenting with generative AI, Maarten notes that there are still barriers to overcome:

• Choosing the right tool: With numerous AI solutions available, businesses must carefully select the one that best fits their needs and security requirements.
• Adoption challenges: Integrating AI into existing workflows and encouraging employees to use it consistently can be difficult.
• Cost considerations: Premium AI tools can be expensive, leading organizations to weigh the benefits against the investment.

By demonstrating AI’s capabilities through practical examples, organizations can raise awareness and excitement, paving the way for broader adoption.

The Importance of Proper Prompting and Proof of Concepts

One of the key AI adoption challenges is not technological — it’s behavioral. Maarten explains, “The biggest adoption problem is that you have to work on your prompt to get the best results.” However, many users quickly revert to their old habits of using simple search terms, which do not yield optimal results from AI tools. Maarten suggests this challenge may be temporary as people learn to write better prompts over time.

This observation draws parallels to previous technological transitions. Just as users needed time to adapt to sharing links instead of attachments in SharePoint or swiping instead of clicking on mobile devices, there’s a learning curve in developing effective prompting habits.

When it comes to implementing AI solutions in organizations, Maarten stresses the importance of prototyping and proof of concepts (POCs). He explains that many decision-makers, especially those in older generations, may not fully grasp the potential of AI. An interesting aspect of AI adoption is the generational divide in comfort levels with new interaction methods. Maarten shared a personal example about voice interactions: “My kids find it easier to talk to devices than we do because they’re used to it. And for me, it’s a little awkward, or it feels a bit strange to talk to my device.”

Innovative Use Cases for Generative AI

While many organizations focus on basic AI applications like meeting summaries and document creation, AI can fundamentally change how we communicate and work. Maarten points out that younger generations are more comfortable interacting with AI and voice-controlled devices, suggesting that the adoption curve may accelerate as these generations enter the workforce.

Maarten also shares two compelling examples of how organizations are leveraging generative AI in innovative ways:

• AI conference host: An online conference about AI disruption in the Netherlands utilized an AI avatar as the host, managing introductions and transitions between sessions. This demonstrated AI's potential to create engaging, interactive experiences in event management and audience engagement.
• Mental health applications: In the healthcare sector, generative AI can summarize conversations between psychiatrists and clients and analyze the reports to detect suicide tendencies or irregular patterns.

While these applications show immense potential, Maarten also acknowledges the ethical considerations and the need for caution when relying on AI for such critical assessments.

Enhancing Creativity, Not Replacing It

Contrary to early fears about AI replacing humans in the workforce, Maarten argues that AI enhances human creativity: “It kickstarts your creativity and leads you to think ‘Why didn’t I think of those?’, and that's actually very useful.”

This perspective helps frame AI as a copilot to human capabilities rather than a replacement. As organizations continue to explore and implement AI solutions, keeping this collaborative mindset will be crucial for successful adoption and integration.

The journey of AI adoption mirrors previous technological transitions but with a crucial difference: the speed and scope of change are unprecedented. By learning from past transitions while embracing new possibilities, organizations can better position themselves to leverage AI effectively while maintaining human creativity and judgment at the center of their operations.

The Future is AI-Augmented: Advice for Organizations

As we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of generative AI, Maarten offers valuable advice for organizations looking to leverage AI:

1. Don’t be afraid to use it: Try it out and start using it to unlock new levels of creativity, efficiency, and innovation.
2. Be proud of using AI: Using AI to achieve results is not something to be ashamed of, but rather a strength to be celebrated.
3. AI as a copilot: AI is meant to augment human abilities, not replace them entirely.

As we learned in this episode, businesses can position themselves at the forefront of digital transformation by focusing on effective implementation through prototyping and viewing AI as a tool for growth.