How to use the power of AI technology for greater impact

Imagine a historic canal house in Amsterdam: charming and charismatic, but a bit neglected over the years. Are you going for a complete restoration or are you opting for subtle improvements to restore your former glory? Job van den Berg uses this analogy to illustrate how technology can support companies in their “digital renovation”.

Similar to a historic canal house that needs the necessary renovation, many companies face the challenge of modernizing their technological infrastructure. The call for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is getting louder in the entrepreneurial world.

Think of AI as the expert architect to help you optimize your business processes. The key is not to radically change your organization, but to continuously improve and innovate.

AI: Not a magic solution, but a valuable assistant

‍Just like you should periodically inspect and maintain a canal house, you should evaluate your business regularly. Questions like: “How can we best support our employees to do impactful work?” or “How do we ensure future-proof business operations?” , are not new. Such questions were also relevant when the Internet revolutionized the way we did business.

AI serves as a tool to take your business to the next level. It's not so much the end of jobs, but rather the end of routine tasks within those jobs. Let's face it: manually entering data is a task that makes no one happy. But what's essential is that AI is not seen as a panacea, but as a valuable assistant that helps employees focus on their core competencies.

The ideal tasks for our AI assistant

‍Where is the best way to use AI as an assistant and which business processes can benefit from this? The strength of AI lies in consistency, the ability to function 24/7, and accuracy. From data entry to efficiently managing emails, AI can handle countless tasks.

A few examples:

• Automatic processing of financial transactions.
• Categorize and automatically reply to emails.
• Digital file management and transfer.
• Verifying incoming invoices. When considering the use of AI, it is essential to critically evaluate processes and tasks. Not every task is suitable for AI intervention. An effective evaluation consists of two main elements:

1: How satisfying and stimulating is the job for the employee? Is it repetitive or does it require unique human skills?

2: What is the importance of the task for the overall success and continuity of the company?

When AI may not be the best choice

‍Tasks that are routine but critical to the business, such as keeping track of customer relationship management or recording hours, are ideal for AI intervention. On the other hand, tasks that give employees great satisfaction and have a high impact, such as customer consultations or personal mentoring, are better suited to human expertise.

AI as the ideal partner for business innovation

‍Tasks that have little impact and are demotivating at the same time deserve a reassessment. Maybe it's time to get rid of some of these tasks. On the other hand, activities that give employees pleasure, such as fun team lunches or a game of table football, are crucial for team spirit and should be maintained.

It should be clear that AI goes beyond just a technological trend; it is a powerful tool. Just like careful renovation can transform a historic canal house, AI can revolutionize how companies operate, making them agile, more effective, and ready for the future.

Collaboration between man and machine: the way forward

‍The future of business in the AI era is not about replacing the human element, but about strengthening it. The synergy between man and machine can lead to amazing results. Employees who are freed from repetitive tasks can focus on more creative, innovative and more valuable aspects of their work. In addition, AI enables us to identify insights and patterns that previously went unnoticed. By nurturing this partnership, companies can adapt, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing business landscape. The key is to see AI as a partner in growth, not a replacement.