Slow and steady wins the race: Practical tips for gradual AI adoption

Table of contents

Move at your own pace

Evaluate where AI would make a difference

Experiment with low-risk tools without commitment

Take advantage of training programmes

Conduct a pilot project

The data is clear: There’s a growing acceptance among businesses that AI will boost productivity and collaboration. In fact, 42% of companies say they believe AI will increase overall productivity, with almost none (2%) expecting it to cause a decrease.

But despite the benefits, widespread AI adoption is failing to gain pace with UK SMEs, with only a quarter currently using AI technology and almost half having no plans to use it at all. So why are so many businesses failing to capitalise on the opportunity?

AI’s capabilities are constantly evolving, and many SMEs are finding themselves in unchartered territory. And with the path to AI adoption being largely unique for every business, figuring out a roadmap that delivers long-term business value isn’t always easy.

If you’re feeling apprehensive about moving forward with AI, you’re not alone – but getting started is easier than you might think. Here are a few ways you can take the first steps in your AI adoption journey.

Move at your own pace

When you look at the AI landscape, it seems like everything moves at lightning-speed. While this is largely true, it doesn’t mean you have to when you’re looking to adopt AI technologies. By focusing on your own unique goals, you can take gradual steps on a timeline that suits your business. That way, you can implement targeted changes that deliver genuine, measurable business value.

Evaluate where AI would make a difference

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the number of tools available, so take a step back and evaluate where AI would be most useful to your business. Start by identifying where the productivity bottlenecks and information silos are, then research into the tools that are specifically designed to assist with these areas.

For example, if your priority is improving conversations for hybrid meetings, explore tools like X-Bees and Conversational Intelligence. When cybersecurity is high on your agenda, focus on Microsoft Sentinal or Cisco Secure Access. Or look at Microsoft Copilot if you’re after a great all-rounder for improving employee productivity gains.

Experiment with low-risk tools without commitment

Many AI tools provide free tiers or trial programmes, giving you time to assess their capabilities and identify any potential limitations prior to making an investment. Remember, you don’t need to rush, and it’s alright to take your time in thoroughly testing the tools against your planned use cases to ensure you’re making a smart choice. Don’t forget to carefully evaluate security or data protection provisions and ensure they align with your company’s policies.

Take advantage of training programmes

Depending on your goals, you can find a range of free and paid training programmes for AI tools online. Enrol key members of your team and AI champions into these programmes to evaluate their usefulness before investing in a company-wide rollout. You can find out more about equipping your teams for an AI future in our blog.

Conduct a pilot project

Once you’ve decided on the right AI tools for your business, deploy them in limited pilot projects. This will let you really focus on the process and results without distraction.

Conduct a review with the team members involved in the pilot after it concludes to get first-hand insights into usability and efficiency. And remember, with our support, getting started with AI doesn’t have to be scary.

We’re ready to help you identify the best solutions for your business and guide you through their adoption – at your pace.

Get in touch with our team and we’ll get things started. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for our upcoming Microsoft Copilot ‘prompt-a-thon’ events – it’s a hands-on experience designed to help your users stimulate innovation through AI and collaboration.