While some companies have already taken steps to integrate AI into their processes, others hesitate, held back by uncertainties about costs, risks, or simply a lack of understanding of the possibilities. But waiting is no longer an option. Investing in AI is not only essential to staying competitive today but also to building a resilient company capable of facing tomorrow’s challenges.
Why act now? Because your competitors are moving forward. They are already using AI to automate repetitive tasks, anticipate customer needs, and optimize supply chains. With the significant decline in AI tool costs over recent years, these technologies are now accessible even to small and medium-sized businesses.
“The cost of modernization efforts to catch up can be excessively high. Staying modern is much more affordable for a company that keeps its systems up to date.”
Defining the Expected Gains
Before getting started, it is essential to clearly define the objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) you want to achieve. Without these guidelines, projects can quickly fail to demonstrate their value.
“Automating 70% of a task is typically the first investment. Getting closer to 100% becomes exponentially more expensive with each additional step. It’s better to optimize quick wins and assess the value of full automation before investing beyond that threshold,” explains David Hamel, VP of Strategy, CX, and Design at nventive. A strategic plan helps optimize resources and maximize results.
Supporting AI with a Strong Technological Foundation
Before integrating AI tools, you must ensure that your technology infrastructure is ready to support this transformation. Steps to take include:
- Conducting a maturity assessment of existing systems using specific evaluation frameworks.
- Implementing data governance to ensure quality, accessibility, and security.
- Developing internal expertise to avoid BYOAI (Bring Your Own AI) and Shadow IT, ensuring proper governance of AI tools.
Defining an AI Roadmap
A structured approach that distinguishes short-, medium-, and long-term priorities allows companies to maximize returns while minimizing risks. Once the first gains are realized, organizations can move to a more ambitious integration phase. In the medium term, the goal is to customize AI tools to meet specific business needs and integrate them with existing systems such as CRMs (Customer Relationship Management) and ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning). In the long term, the objective is to make AI a core pillar of the organization.
Short- and Medium-Term Actions
Companies can start with simple projects that offer quick wins: automating repetitive tasks such as data entry or managing frequent requests is an affordable first step with a high impact, achievable through AI agents. Even more accessible, tools like Copilot or Claude allow employees to generate code or content and identify errors in seconds, freeing up time for more strategic tasks. These projects quickly demonstrate their value with minimal initial investment while familiarizing teams with AI’s practical benefits.
Long-Term Strategy
If standard tools do not fully meet your needs, developing a custom solution may be the best path for your company. If your data comes from diverse sources or you seek a unique competitive advantage, a tailored approach may be more appropriate. However, standard tools can be ideal for addressing generic needs or accelerating implementation at a lower cost.
Controlling AI Implementation
Caution: While these tools offer immense potential, their use must be carefully controlled. As Renaud Gauthier points out, “User enthusiasm can quickly become costly if limits are not enforced.” Excessive and uncontrolled use of AI solutions can drive up operational costs. It is essential to establish safeguards, such as setting thresholds on the number of queries or processed volumes. Sometimes, it is better to tolerate temporary interruptions than to risk exponential expenses from unforeseen usage.
AI is already redefining industry standards, and organizations that delay adoption risk falling behind their competitors. With a clear strategy and the right tools, you can not only keep pace but also gain a competitive edge.
