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AI ADOPTION : WHAT SMES NEED TO KNOW
We hear of the many benefits of implementing AI into workflows , but what is the best way to do this , particularly for SMEs ? It can be overwhelming to hear about all the different AI programs which are available , and SMEs always need to keep their budget in mind . Sandy Kahrod , Product Manager : Modern Work at Six Degrees , discusses what key challenges organisations face when integrating AI technologies into their existing workflows and what to consider during the implementation .
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T offer numerous benefits – from chatbots and virtual assistants that improve customer engagement and deliver a better employee experience , through to intelligent automation that streamlines operational processes , improves productivity and generates efficiency savings .
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ALTHOUGH AI CAN OFTEN BE SEEN AS SOMETHING THAT CREATES SECURITY ISSUES , A LOT OF THE TIME IT IN FACT BRINGS PRE-EXISTING GAPS IN CYBERSECURITY TO LIGHT , FURTHERING THE NEED FOR THOROUGH SECURITY PROTOCOLS PRIOR TO ITS IMPLEMENTATION .
SMEs know that AI has the potential to put them on a level playing field with larger corporations , whether that ’ s enabling new capabilities or delivering data-driven insights that support better decision-making and make it easier to spot business opportunities . However , research undertaken by the British Chambers of Commerce reveals many SMEs are stuck in neutral when it comes to moving ahead with their AI adoption plans .
While AI is an alluring proposition , knowing where and how to start can be intimidating . The following guidelines will help ensure that SMEs can progress their real-world AI aspirations in a pragmatic and cost-contained way .
Understand the key challenges
While AI is readily available via solutions like Copilot and ChatGPT , integrating AI into work practices is not always as straightforward as it first seems . This is something that can prove a stumbling block for large enterprises , as well as smaller business entities .
While AI projects don ’ t necessarily require million-dollar budgets to be successful , organisations need to be mindful of the potential upfront costs and disruption that can be associated with AI implementations . Without the right planning , the path to implementation can be a rocky one . Not every SME has the budget for a custom-build AI solution , so identifying cost-effective prebuilt AI tools that offer clear ROI potential is a key consideration .
However , AI isn ’ t always a ‘ plug and play ’ solution . In addition to the software itself , organisations may need high-performance hardware and data storage upgrades capable of handling the compute resources
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