This Is How We Do AI (Hint: Don’t Panic)
First came the panic. You could hardly peek around the corner on LinkedIn without being hit by worst case scenarios about how AI was coming for our jobs, going to ruin the economy, ending the world as we know it.
But then…it didn’t happen. A few months passed, then some more, and we’re all more or less still here.
So the world-altering panic has gone, but it feels like a new one has taken its place, doesn’t it?
“Have you heard of The Latest Thing?”
“Companies who use This Revolutionary Tool™ save 100 hours of admin time per week. Those that don’t are dooooomed.”
“Scale Your Firm Faster with This Anxiety-Driven Newsletter.”
“You must always be going faster, faster, faster! Automate or die!”
Mmmkay, let’s take a breath here.
If it feels like the world of automation and AI is too much to keep up with, that’s because it is. On one hand, yes, new developments are coming every day. But on the other hand, you feel that way because there are lots of people selling you that feeling. They know that if business processes feel hard and impossible to navigate without their product or guidance, you will buy it.
It’s all entirely new, and the oldest trick in the book.
So when you’re trying to evaluate what’s true and helpful (and what isn’t), here are some steps you can use to sort the noise from the necessary:
First, define terms.
Automation = The use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human intervention. Think a software-driven workflow that follows predefined rules or scripts that are ideal for repetitive, predictable tasks.
AI = The simulation of human intelligence by machines to perform tasks that usually require human reasoning or learning. This is when you hand over a task that involves evaluating data, making judgment calls, or adapting to new situations.
They are not the same thing. So that flashy sales email trying to sell you on the latest “AI” solution that just looks like a complicated workflow to eliminate a routine task? Not worth your time. If someone is trying to pass off automation as AI by using the words interchangeably, it’s usually a red flag they’re trying to get you to pay BMW prices for a basic Honda.
Evaluate, and embrace gradual improvement.
While many of today’s hottest solutions will turn out to be tomorrow’s flop, there are some genuinely game-changing softwares out there. But you can’t effectively plug them into your process without first having a process. This is true of any industry, from accounting to manufacturing to the corner store bakery. So start by documenting your processes and workflows, then phase in some automations, eventually handing off more complex reasoning tasks to artificial intelligence. But don’t get caught up in the panic that you need to do it all at once. Try, test, edit, repeat.
Set a filter.
Find one or two high-quality newsletters or professional groups that specialize in AI adoption in your specific industry. That’s it. Filter out the rest and forget it. Information overload will lead to indecision and stagnation. Spend 30-60 minutes a week reviewing updates from your chosen source to stay informed, but don't waste time chasing down every shiny new thing from every “expert” on the internet.
Most importantly, never forget what sets you apart.
Are you in the business of providing fast products or solutions to customers who value time or cost savings above all else? Then maximizing your automation + AI adoption will reinforce that value proposition. But if your special touch is the time and care you provide to each client…creating a highly-automated system where clients rarely get to speak to a human is going to undermine your business, not make it stronger. Keep your values in mind, first and foremost.
At Breakaway, we’re committed to evaluating automations and AI the same way we’ve been doing since the beginning: by finding the intersection between technology and humanity. We value interaction with our clients, and we value meaningful work for our employees. It’s the way we run our business, and the way we advise our clients to run theirs.
To learn more about how we combine technology and human expertise to provide excellent accounting services for our clients, visit breakawayba.com/contact-us.
