The Secret to Successful AI-Driven Process Redesign

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Every week, I carefully curate inspiring articles and share my thoughts, accompanied by motivational quotes. I hope you enjoy this next edition of my Monday Motivation, and I eagerly anticipate hearing your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

This week I would like to come back to the topic of GenAI, but with a focus on process redesign.? All too often, leaders believe that the answer is in the technology, i.e. that there is a magic bullet that is sitting within the next wave of tech.? Those who have been tasked with operational improvements know that this is not the case.? The “magic” is in the understanding of existing operations, selection of preliminary areas of focus and the (re)design of the process to take advantage of technological improvements.?

This idea of continuous improvement was highlighted in the 1940s by Taiichi Ohno with the development of the Toyota Production System, based on the Japanese principle of kaizen. In the spirit of kaizen, continuous improvement has long been a cornerstone of successful organizations. Now, with the rise of generative AI, companies are reimagining process management and empowering employees to leverage AI to drive innovation and efficiency. In today’s article, The Secret to Successful AI-Driven Process Redesign, the authors explore how leading organizations are harnessing the power of AI to augment human capabilities and achieve unprecedented levels of process optimization with a focus on small enhancements based on employee suggestions rather than revolutionizing entire processes or industries through risky endeavors.

Empowering Employees Throughout the Enterprise.

By providing employees with access to AI tools and training, companies can democratize data, empower frontline workers, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Examples include Mercedes-Benz empowering employees with data-driven insights and Mahindra & Mahindra utilizing AI to enhance shop floor efficiency.

Redesigning Scientific Processes.

AI is revolutionizing scientific research. In the pharmaceutical industry, AI-generated synthetic data is accelerating drug discovery and improving quality control. Pharma companies rely on automated visual systems to detect product defects. Unfortunately, the systems often generate false rejects, slowing the workflow and initiating expensive do-overs. Merck, for example, uses gen AI approaches (such as generative adversarial networks and variational autoencoders) to develop synthetic defect-image data to reduce overall false rejects across various product lines by more than 50%.

Augmenting Creative Processes.

From product design to marketing campaigns, AI is empowering creative professionals by automating tasks, generating new ideas, and accelerating the design process. NASA’s use of AI to design lightweight and robust spacecraft components exemplifies the power of AI in augmenting human creativity. For more on this, check out Newsletter #43.

Animating Physical Operations.

AI is also transforming how we interact with physical systems. From warehouse robotics to surgical simulations, AI-powered agents are automating tasks, improving efficiency, and enhancing safety.

Autonomous Agents.

The emergence of autonomous agents, capable of independent decision-making and goal-oriented behavior, marks a new era of process automation. Examples include DoNotPay’s AI-powered legal assistant and the use of AI agents in supply chain management and customer service. For those organizations which had previously used robotics and process automation (RPA) to create self-service guided processes, this could represent a low-hanging fruit for process improvement.

Ecosystems of Autonomous Agents.

There is also great potential in ‘agent ecosystems’ where multiple AI agents, each specializing in a specific task, collaborate to achieve complex goals. This approach, exemplified by the mortgage-underwriting process and the Stanford experiment with digital human avatars, allows for greater flexibility and adaptability compared to traditional RPA systems. By combining the strengths of multiple agents and fostering human-agent collaboration, organizations can achieve unprecedented levels of automation and continuous improvement across a wide range of business processes.

While AI agents offer significant potential, human oversight and guidance remain crucial. Successful implementations will involve a collaborative approach, with humans and AI working together to achieve optimal outcomes. The future of process improvement lies in the convergence of human ingenuity and artificial intelligence. By empowering employees with AI tools, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and embracing human-in-the-loop approaches, organizations can unlock unprecedented levels of efficiency, innovation, and productivity. As AI continues to evolve, the key to success will lie in harnessing its power while ensuring that humans remain at the center of the process.

Stay on the beat with me and have an amazing start to your week ?

Yours,

Mark

Source

Wilson, H.J.; Daugherty, P. (January-February 2025) The Secret to Successful AI-Driven Process Redesign. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2025/01/the-secret-to-successful-ai-driven-process-redesign