The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) has been pointed out as a turning point for companies seeking to innovate and optimize their operations. Its use has grown significantly in recent years, with 72% of global companies adopting the technology in 2024, compared to 55% in 2023, according to the McKinsey research "The state of AI in early 2024". But the journey is not simple: understanding where and how to apply this technology is still a challenge for many business leaders.
"I see a very strong focus on understanding how to generate impact with AI in business and measuring the return on investment (ROI)", comment Tavane Gurdos, General Director of Alura for Companies. Success is not just in adopting AI, but mainly in identifying areas where it can generate tangible impact. It's not possible to solve all the challenges at once, it is necessary to evaluate strategically so that the results are meaningful and bring efficiency gains, scale and customization, comment
According to the perception of leaders from different sectors, the path to maximizing the potential of AI requires planning, focus and a culture of continuous learning. Discover below, the secrets and main advice of successful C-levels in applying AI in their businesses
Gurdos Ceilings, General Director of theAlura For Companies
For those who wish to successfully apply Artificial Intelligence in their companies, it is essential to understand exactly where it can add value to the business, avoiding investment in projects that are not strategic, in addition to identifying areas with greater potential impact, such as experience personalization or automation of critical processes. Adopt an experimental mindset, with learning cycles, tests and adjustments, is equally crucial, as well as investing in team training to ensure effective use of technology. AI will only be a powerful ally if there are people prepared to use it. Investing in team development is as essential as investing in the technology itself. It is not enough to implement AI; "it is necessary to teach how to get the most out of it",highlights Tavane
Giulia Braghieri,Senior Director of Global B2B Business Development ofNotCo
"Adopting AI is no longer optional". We are in the midst of a technological revolution comparable to the emergence of the internet in the 2000s, but with one difference: the evolution of AI happens exponentially. The longer a company postpones this journey, the competitive gap will be greater compared to those who have already advanced. If you are just starting, I suggest starting with small projects and scalable tools. In addition to adopting specific tools, it is important to foster an environment that integrates AI into daily life and promotes an organizational culture with an "AI-first" mindset. This means encouraging experimentation, continuous learning and strategic use of data. A common mistake we see is trying to implement AI across the entire organization all at once, what usually results in frustration and internal resistance. At NotCo, we see many companies that have never worked with AI trying to achieve a total technological integration right from the start — an approach that rarely works. My suggestion is to start with a priority pilot project for the company, gather valuable learnings and, from there, climb with confidence and consistency."affirms Giulia
Marcelo Mearim, co-founder and CEO ofSofiain Brazil
"Currently, the main challenges in adopting artificial intelligence include the lack of structured data, the internal resistance to change and the integration with legacy systems. To overcome them, it is necessary to invest in data standardization, adopt pilot projects that demonstrate quick results and build a data-driven culture, with skilled and engaged teams. Furthermore, it is important to focus on strategic use cases, as a cost reduction and improvement of customer experience, in addition to establishing partnerships and planning scalability. Ignoring data preparation or focusing on technology without addressing clear problems are very common mistakes. AI should be used strategically and constantly reviewed,affirms Mearim
Julio Viana, real estate market specialist and CEO ofPlaza"The adoption of artificial intelligence still faces barriers", mainly due to the need to overcome the technology acceptance curve, but this is overcome with clear communication about its benefits and the commitment of leadership at all levels. AI should be treated as a new collaborator that needs initial training to integrate into the company's processes, ensuring more consistent results within three to six months. The ideal is to start with specific areas, assess the impacts and gradually expand, focusing on the overall positive return, even in the face of adjustments and initial learnings. This strategic approach is what maximizes the value of technology in the long term,advises Viana
