When we think about the most disruptive and popular technologies that have gained ground in the business world, it is impossible not to consider artificial intelligence as one of the main tools. And this is not by chance, since the research 'The State of AI in Early 2024: Gen AI Adoption Spikes and Starts to Generate Value', conducted by McKinsey, reveals that 72% of companies already use AI. Enthusiasm is mainly fueled by the possibility of eliminating repetitive tasks through automation, optimizing professionals' time, that can be utilized in activities of greater value and relevance, reducing costs and increasing efficiency
This frenzy may make managers who have not yet adopted this technology feel at a disadvantage. In highly competitive markets, it is common to seek innovative solutions for organizations to stand out and achieve success. However, it is crucial for managers to think strategically before adopting new technologies, avoiding hasty decisions that seek only the appearance of innovation. There is a need to ensure that the acceptance of these solutions is aligned with the real needs of the business and that it is understood how they can, in fact, drive growth
Adoption must be carefully studied, because any change in the daily work routine implies changes in the processes, organizational structures and culture, what demands as much time as resources.
To support decision-making, specialists like Alexandre Nascimento, MIT researcher, present studies that may be fundamental in developing an AI plan for the business. An example is the AI2M model (Artificial Intelligence Adoption Intention Model), created by him,that considers five main factors that influence the intention to integrate AI: the facilitating conditions, that assess whether the user believes they have the necessary resources to use AI; the performance expectation, what measures whether the user believes that AI will improve their performance at work; the expectation of effort, that reflects the user's perception of the difficulty of learning and using AI; self-efficacy, what is user trust in their ability to use AI; and social influence, that assesses the perceived pressure from others to adopt AI.
In a more general way, these decision-makers should consider the following scenario: what is the problem I am facing and how can AI help solve it, instead of adopting the reverse approach, it would be like deciding to implement AI without considering where and how it will be applied. These questions are not intended to present a negative view of AI integration, for it is evident how much it can benefit work processes. Instead, the goal is to highlight that AI should be seen as a tool, and not as the miracle solution, how the enthusiasm and buzz generated by frequent media attention often make it seem. Thus, organizations can maximize the benefits of AI and ensure an effective transformation
