How to know when the time is right to implement AI?

Only 1% of companies claim to be making full use of artificial intelligence. Are you part of the other 99%? Whether you're just thinking about AI in your company or you've already started something, this article is for you.

We'll show you the main reasons and the specific signals that tell you that now might be the right time to get serious about AI.

Why bother with AI at all?

Artificial intelligence is no longer a technology of the future - it's something that's happening right now. Lots of companies are using AI without you even having to notice. And it's certainly not just development teams or large corporations.

Artificial intelligence helps across all departments:

• Customer service: AI chatbots answer questions 24/7, recognize tone of communication, recommend solutions
• Marketing: ad personalization, text generation, customer behavior prediction
• Administration: sorting documents, transcripts of meetings, managing and filling in spreadsheets
• HR: personalised responses to candidates, preparation of advertisements
• Finance: cost forecasting, pre-filling invoices, cash flow monitoring

And that's just a small sampling of what AI can help companies with today. So maybe the question isn't "if" but "where specifically" could help you.

Your competitors have probably already started with AI

Surveys show that 70% of Czech companies do not yet use artificial intelligence, but more than a third plan to implement it. It is therefore very likely that if you do not start using AI, preferably immediately, you will not be able to catch up with your competitors.

But that doesn't mean we need to throw in the towel. On the contrary. It is better to start today than to wait for "ideal conditions" that may never come. Moreover - there's a difference between using AI and using it intelligently. And this is where you can differentiate yourself.

Save time and money

Artificial intelligence will enable your employees to work faster and more efficiently. Its goal is not to replace employees, but to allow them to pursue deeper tasks that require more creativity or strategy.

A 2024 survey reports that AI can save on average about 1 hour per day. We expect that today it will probably be much more. Artificial intelligence alone can accelerate development by 30 to 50%. As a result, the savings could run into millions.

Signals that your business will benefit from AI

Repetitive tasks that take a lot of time

Your team spends dozens of hours a week repeating routine tasks - sorting emails, transcribing and checking invoices, entering data or filling in spreadsheets. Instead of focusing on more challenging tasks, they're doing what's called "click work." AI can free their hands to do this.

You have a lot of data that you can't use

You collect piles of data in your company, but no one has the time to evaluate it properly. AI can quickly analyze trends, find recurring patterns, and help you use the data in your strategy.

The team is overloaded and looking for a way to scale without hiring

Employees are frustrated, they are not keeping up with their work, they don't have time for innovation and personal development. But at the same time, you want to get more work done, ideally with the same team. AI allows you to get more work done in the same number.

Competition is moving faster

Don't have time to innovate, so you're falling behind the competition? AI can help you keep up. Among other things, it can help with market forecasting, personalizing your offerings and making your marketing more effective overall.

Pressure to save or increase efficiency

Management pushing for results, savings or streamlining operations? AI can be the key to both - it can do more work with less effort and help you find blind spots where you're wasting time or money.

Fears and myths that hold you back

It's going to be expensive and complicated

Today, there are dozens of tools that you can use almost immediately - and they're often affordable or even free. You don't need a team of AI specialists. You can start with these tools:

• ChatGPT (OpenAI)
• Anthropic Claude
• Google Gemini
• Microsoft Copilot

It is possible to start small with AI, for example with one pilot project.

Plus, in many cases, simple automations that you can create yourself using tools like Make or Zapier - even without programming knowledge.

We need experts

It's true that complex AI applications can require experts. But for most common business needs, it's not necessary. There are already off-the-shelf solutions, and most AI tools have a user-friendly enough interface that almost anyone can use them. Even smaller companies today can manage the first steps on their own or with the help of an external consultant.

We don't have enough data

AI can handle large amounts of data, but that doesn't mean it's a requirement. Even small amounts of data that are properly evaluated can deliver great value.

Conclusion

AI is no longer sci-fi and the preserve of tech giants, it can help any company that chooses to use it properly. It will save your business time and money, while opening the door to innovation and greater competitiveness. There is no need to start using it in all aspects of your operation overnight. Start with small but smart steps that will move you forward.

For starters, you can ask yourself "What processes are currently holding me back the most?" There is most likely already an AI solution for this. We'd be happy to discuss with you where to start.

If you're ready to take the next step, check out our guide on "How to start implementing AI in your company".