01 · AI & engineering
The key idea
The best first automation is often a repeatable task with a clear input and a result that someone can verify. Document preparation, internal knowledge search, and routing incoming requests can be useful starting points.
Map the existing process before introducing AI. Record where the information comes from, who makes decisions, and what happens when something is incomplete or incorrect.
Build a small pilot with appropriate access controls and a human review step. Test it with representative examples and compare the output to your existing workflow.
Expand only when the pilot has demonstrated value. Reliability, maintainability, and a clear owner matter as much as a compelling demonstration.