Many managers recognise the potential of AI and are willing to increase their use of the technology. But how do you go about a start-up phase to get a set-up and roll-out that works? We thought we'd illustrate this with the AI assistant Copilot as an example.

A report from Ledarna shows that half of managers see a lack of skills as an obstacle to developing the use of AI in the workplace. Shortcomings in the IT infrastructure are also identified as a problem. Another study from SCB shows that the use of AI has increased, but that there is still widespread resistance and uncertainty about the technology. At the same time, according to Gartner, it turns out that as many as 85% of AI implementations do not live up to expectations or are even completed.

How to prepare your infrastructure for AI

Launch AI within your organisation

Proper technical preparation and active leadership are key aspects for a successful rollout of AI tools. A good example of this is how we guide leaders through a Copilot implementation.

Copilot is Microsoft's AI assistant that simplifies and streamlines the various steps of the workday. With the right implementation and leadership, Microsoft Copilot can simplify administration and free up time for more value-creating activities for you and your employees. We'll walk you through three steps for a smooth and effective launch and Copilot.

Step 1: Prepare your data

As a first step, we support your company in preparing all data in the cloud so it is easily accessible and up-to-date. This means regularly reviewing and renewing the information to ensure that the AI system is working with the latest and most relevant data.  Once your data is organised and relevant, Copilot can provide you with accurate, actionable insights to support your day-to-day operations. 

Furthermore, we develop robust and customised security measures to protect your information when using Copilot. Identity and access controls ensure that sensitive data is protected and only authorised individuals have access.

Here's more on how to get your data ready for Copilot

Step 2: Pilot, leadership and implementation

The most successful launches of AI, in this case Copilot, happen when you as a leader are active from the start. During a pilot project, we conduct workshops for leaders and managers where we work together to develop an AI strategy and a needs analysis to define the value of the implementation. We discuss questions such as:

• What do we want Copilot to help us with?
• Why should we use Copilot? What processes can be improved or simplified?
• How does Copilot work in practice?
• How should we use different types of AI tools in a safe and efficient way?

You will also have the opportunity to try the AI assistant yourself in different scenarios so you can better understand how the tool works and can be used based on your role. This way, you as a manager can lead the way for curious use and communicate the practical benefits of the tool to your employees.

Step 3: Copilot creates value for the whole organisation

With a greater understanding of the value AI can bring to your organisation, it's time to introduce the tool to your employees. Together, we conduct workshops and training sessions so that everyone understands how Copilot works, what security procedures apply and how the tool can be used to streamline workflows for a more sustainable everyday life.

Also, make sure to continuously follow up on how your AI tools are used and how it works for employees. In this way, you can adjust your working methods to achieve sustainable use.

Your active leadership is crucial for a structured, and profitable, journey from inspiration to full implementation of AI. We can support you with this, get in touch and let's talk further.

Why invest in AI when there are free alternatives?

Now, you might be asking yourself - but why invest in an enterprise-wide AI tool like Copilot when there are so many great free alternatives?

There is a name for this use of AI tools and applications without the approval and oversight of the IT department - Shadow AI, a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly widespread. Of course, having curious and innovation-minded employees is a good thing. However, the use of shadow AI can also pose significant risks in the form of security breaches, data leaks and non-compliance. This happened at Samsung in 2023, where employees used ChatGPT for handling sensitive information, leading to accidental exposure to third-party platforms.

By offering secure and approved AI solutions, organisations can meet employees' needs for efficiency and innovation, while reducing the risk of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands.

Webinar: Get ready for Copilot