It is a fact that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is becoming increasingly prevalent in our daily lives and rapidly spreading across various fields. But what is the primary motivation for their use? For now, it's convenience.
To understand the impacts and identify potential opportunities, The Cynefin Company has just released the report "Perspectives on AI – Sensemaker Open CollectionThis is the result of a global survey conducted between September 2023 and February 2024. The result is a continuously developing dataset, as the company will continue gathering experiences and publishing reports periodically.
Now, the company with operations in Brazil has initiated this same study solely among Brazilians. Those wishing to participate can access the link at SenseMaker and complete the form. The collected data will be compiled and presented every six months, thus creating a rich base of developmental and comparative levels.
Among the patterns found in the global research, 231 participants reported using AI tools for convenience, while 171 used them out of curiosity, and only 111 due to necessity. "It's also worth noting that 201 participants consider convenience and curiosity key factors, meaning they are complementary. There doesn't appear to be sufficient intrinsic motivation for individuals to structurally incorporate AI into their daily lives at this moment," contextualizes Alexandre Magno, CEO of The Cynefin Co Brazil.
IA as a Competitive Differentiator
Regarding impact, the study evaluated AI usage from three axes: personal (shift in mindset, philosophy, or values), strategic (seeing situations in a panoramic way, with guidance on what to prioritize), and operational (knowing what to do in practice). As a result, 201,373 participants responded that their AI experiences have impacted all three axes, while 111,373 discuss these impacts only in a strategic context, 121,373 reported personal impact, and 241,373 felt impact only at the operational level.
"I understand that leaders are overestimating AI's role as a competitive differentiator by focusing on operational productivity gains – essentially doing what we already know how to do, but faster or better," notes Magno. "They're underestimating its transformative potential, its ability to enable us to do things we never even considered."
The research used the SenseMaker tool, which is based on distributed ethnography, capturing micro-narratives that offer deep insights into emerging cultural patterns and attitudes. "Explaining it in a very objective way, participants shared their experiences related to the use of Artificial Intelligence. There was no type of guidance or closed-ended questions that could interfere with the accounts. In this way, it is possible to find patterns that could amplify or minimize situations," explains Magno.
As artificial intelligence continues to permeate all aspects of our lives, The Cynefin Co.'s research provides a detailed analysis of its operational, ethical, and cultural implications. The report offers insights into the narrative patterns and user experiences, challenging us to consider the shared responsibility between developers, regulators, and users in building an AI-powered future.
With discoveries revealing both the transformative potential and the profound anxieties associated with technology, this study is a call for informed reflection and action towards a more conscious and equitable use of AI. For those wishing to participate and contribute their own experiences, the research for Brazil is now open, emphasizing the importance of diverse and continuously evolving data collection.
