The promises around artificial intelligence sound big. AI is said to simplify our work and increase productivity. Yet there are increasing voices against it. DataNews recently wrote that companies are actually losing time and energy because they are overwhelmed by AI nonsense. Instead of working more efficiently, teams get caught up in loose tools, unclear processes and an overdose of hype.
This criticism is justified. At the same time, it is a shame that it creates the image that AI is mainly a hassle. Because those who get to work with it soberly and strategically experience just the opposite.
Why so many companies get stuck with AI
The main cause of frustration is the lack of consistency. New AI apps are often introduced without a clear objective or without connection to existing processes. The result: employees have to constantly switch between platforms, confusion arises about where information resides, and return on investment fails to materialise.
In addition, AI is sometimes too quickly seen as a panacea. Companies expect one tool to solve all problems, while in practice it is mainly small, targeted applications that make the difference. Moreover, without training and guidance, employees mainly experience extra workload and uncertainty.
How AI does pay off in an SME environment
AI only pays off when it starts from the concrete needs of an organisation. For an SME, this means: first look at the processes that take a lot of time or produce errors today, and only then determine which AI solution fits them.
Think, for example, of administration and reporting that take up a lot of the agenda. Automating these tasks creates space to focus on customers or strategy. Or take customer communications: by cleverly using AI for automatic summaries or response suggestions, teams can respond faster and more consistently without losing the human touch.
There are also gains to be made in data-driven decisions. AI can reveal patterns and trends that would otherwise remain hidden. This way, you no longer steer by gut feeling but by numbers, which makes for more informed choices.
Trust and ease of use as key
Technology only works if people trust it. This applies to large companies, but certainly also to SMEs where teams are smaller and closer-knit. AI should not add an extra layer of complexity, it should instead relieve employees. Simplicity of use, clear integration with existing systems and customised guidance are crucial in this respect.
Towards a realistic vision of AI
The hype around AI will continue for some time, but companies would do well not to get carried away by big promises without a plan. Productivity rises not because of more tools, but because of the right choices. AI is not an end in itself, it is a tool that helps companies work smarter.
Anyone who cuts through the hype today and opts for a pragmatic approach lays the foundation for sustainable productivity gains. SMEs have everything to gain from this: not by running along behind every new tool, but by taking an informed look at which applications really deliver value for their employees and customers.
From vision to practice
We strongly believe that AI only pays off when it is concretely embedded in your operations. With our platform IttesAI, we support SMEs to make that translation: no separate experiments, but integrated solutions that simplify processes, strengthen communication and make data usable. This way, AI does not become hype, but a reliable ally for productivity.
