How to boost AI by “democratization” in your company

Certainly, you are using AI in your company. But are you using AI holistically, across multiple business units and functions? This article gives you some insights about how to drive the use of AI and how to enable employees to become the owner of AI innovation and process optimization.

What’s the status quo of AI usage?

Most companies nowadays are using AI, for example to automate workloads, like routing service requests or processing natural language, or to improve customer services, like offering virtual assistant programs. But according to a recent McKinsey Global AI Survey, only 30% of companies have been able to apply AI across multiple business units or functions. And lots of companies, especially smaller ones or those with restricted access to capital, haven’t even started to use AI. They might not have the knowledge or resources to start building AI into their processes.

In order to increase the use of AI, companies must change their organization, moving away from few people or only the IT department owning the AI implementation. Instead, mass utilization and implementation, or “democratization of AI”, will drive the difference.

“Democratization of AI” will accelerate AI usage

Democratization of AI means that everyone in an organization gets access to AI technologies and benefits from it, without having deep knowledge or skills in the area of AI. By empowering employees to build their own AI processes that support them in performing their daily job, for example by automating repetitive work, companies will also experience higher ownership and more acceptance of AI tools across the organization.

So, the question is: how can you drive democratization of AI in your organization?

Enable the right tools

Employees can be enabled to develop their own AI solutions by using low code applications. These are tools that use drag-and-drop components and a graphic user interface to develop applications much faster compared to coding and don’t require the detailed knowledge and skills of coding. Right now, most low code applications still require a high affinity to IT, but it is very likely that low code applications will soon reach the status of website builders that have allowed millions of website owners to build their homepage without any knowledge of HTML.

Remove barriers

Apart from implementing such applications, it also requires the reduction of company-internal barriers to build and implement such solutions. Many companies restrict the use of external applications for IT security reasons. Organizations must find a way to allow such tools while still ensuring compliance and risk management.

Besides, the development of own AI solutions and optimization of work processes will require speedy and seamless integration of self-created applications into existing tools and systems. This requires a culture of quick decision-making and empowerment.

Develop the right skills

Even though low code applications might not require deep coding skills, employees must be trained in the use of such applications. Blended learning with a combination of e-learning and peer coaching might work best in this case.

But there are further competencies to develop: with more and more self-developed AI tools, the need for data accuracy and reliability checks will increase. Raising employees’ skills in reviewing data, identifying errors, biases and wrong implications will be crucial.

Build trust

One in five job seekers fear they will one day lose their job to AI, according to ZipRecruiter. Having this in mind, employees might not be too eager to implement AI tools in their work, risking to automize and ultimately rationalize their own position. It is therefore crucial to build a culture of trust where employees feel safe to test out new technologies. One way to build trust is to show employees that the employer cares about their development and makes them future fit. Amazon recently announced that they will spend $700 million to train about 100,000 workers in the US by 2025. This will not only develop skills needed in the future, such big numbers also help to build trust.

Create incentives and role models

Employees are more likely to embrace new tools if they see an immediate advantage. By using AI, the advantage will typically lie in the area of efficiency gains, allowing employees to have more time for creative and strategic work. Ensure to share best practice cases across the organization, creating a broader understanding of benefits and reducing the fear of job rationalization. At the same time, it provides an opportunity to reward innovative solutions. Special rewards and contests might also work in some organizations.

Leaders need to empower their employees to build their own AI programs, allowing them to make mistakes and learning from failures. Those leaders will see the biggest progress in their organizations. Ideally, the top leadership team also embarks on the AI journey and shares own stories on how they use AI in their daily routines.

Build a new Culture

AI will only unfold its power if employees are empowered to take decisions and to act quickly. At the same time, the increased development and use of AI tools might require a new version of data surveillance and risk management. Employees need to learn which level of risk is appropriate to take and become the accountable owners of their actions. This requires a culture change. Organizations who implement a culture of quick decision-making, empowerment and accountability are the ones who will benefit most from the democratization of AI.

Please note that these are my personal thoughts and do not necessarily represent my employer.