Explore a transformative approach to AI adoption using the Three Horizons model. Learn how to overcome challenges and leverage GenAI Agents within your organization.
So, you're excited about AI and feel ready to dive into the digital future, right? But then reality hits – your team's enthusiasm peaks early and then fizzles out. What's happening? It's all about navigating the Three Horizons of AI adoption: getting comfortable with the tools, making them work for your business, and finally, letting AI agents revolutionize how you operate. Let's break it down!
Building AI Capability: The Three Horizons Model
The journey to full AI integration begins with the first Horizon, building GenAI fluency and confidence. Take, for instance, this Global Energy client case study, where implementing the adoption of M365 Copilot across 4,000 employees led to a 475% increase in usage and saved over 20,000 hours. This same group of employees had been given the licenses previously, but few had gone beyond some simple use cases, and so adoption stagnated. By challenging employees with daily tasks using the Cognician platform, they developed a solid foundation in Copilot beyond basic prompts. Thus, as seen in the case of Copilot adoption, the first Horizon is all about understanding wider use cases and mastering effective prompts.
Functional Relevance: Making AI Contextual
Once basic literacy is achieved, it's time to expand on this further by applying GenAI to specific business functions and contexts, which is the second Horizon. Tailored AI solutions, such as custom large language models (LLMs) for departments like legal or marketing, become pivotal in this scenario. A current program with a global legal function is driving their 550+ strong team to experiment with and apply M365 Copilot to their daily activities. Cognician is facilitating this by challenging them with a new use case each week, which asks them to experiment, iterate, and reflect on how GenAI can transform their ways of working through the use of function-specific applications. By getting the legal team to experiment with and apply GenAI extensively into their workflows, the organization can surpass surface-level adoption and unlock true value. In fact, we have seen almost 300 participants so far capturing more than 30,000 words of User Generated Content (UGC), including almost 200 insights such as:
- I was amazed by how quickly Copilot Chat can help me prepare for meeting. The outcome is better and more detailed if you follow up with new prompts. Copilot is a real assistant.
- Using Copilot for Microsoft 365 has greatly enhanced my research process and outcomes. It quickly searches through emails, Teams messages, and files, saving me time and effort. The summarization feature condenses lengthy documents and conversations, allowing me to focus on key points and action items.
- I believe that Copilot will speed up my work and provide better data visualization. This will boost my analytical capabilities and make it easier for me to make data-driven decisions.
Agentic Transformation: Leveraging AI Agents
Finally, the third Horizon beckons – the move to agentic AI. Imagine AI Agents as your indispensable collaborators, automating tasks and processes with precision. For example, an agent could seamlessly analyze emails for documents that require review, providing critiques and pinpointing areas that need human attention. By integrating GenAI Agents into core business practices, companies gain transformative leverage, enhancing efficiency and innovation. As such, building capability within your workforce to apply agentic AI will be how businesses truly transform the way they work, but it must be built on firm foundations established from the first two Horizons.
Overcoming Challenges and Misconceptions
Despite clear benefits, many leaders face hurdles when implementing AI. Common pitfalls include over-optimism about tool adoption without the necessary skill-building, thus leading to stagnation. While early adopters thrive, many reach a plateau, struggling to surpass basic use cases. Recognizing these challenges is crucial; proper learning and structured activation are non-negotiable if real value is going to be unlocked.
Proactive Solutions for Successful AI Integration
Navigating this complex landscape demands strategic solutions:
- Cultivate AI Fluency: Initiate comprehensive learning programs focused on GenAI literacy and tool familiarization by using the Cognician Activation platform.
- Tailor AI Applications: Develop and deploy function-specific AI solutions, making GenAI relevant and valuable to every department.
- Empower with AI Agents: Educate and activate employees on developing and adopting GenAI Agents to reshape core processes and workflows.
Actionable Steps to Drive AI Activation
Implementing a multi-phased activation plan is imperative:
- Start with Horizon One to establish GenAI fundamentals
- Progress to Horizon Two embedding AI in specific business functions and contexts
- At the Third Horizon, embrace agentic AI to ensure true transformation
Organizations ready to seize AI's potential must embrace this structured pathway, ensuring that Cognician and its counterpart tools are leveraged effectively.
Transforming Enterprises with AI
In an era where efficiency and adaptability reign supreme, mastering AI adoption across the Three Horizons is essential. As businesses navigate these transformative waters, the strategic implementation of GenAI becomes a game-changer. By stepping confidently through each Horizon, organizations will not only keep pace but will lead the charge in the AI revolution.
Do you have experiences with AI adoption in your firm? How have you tackled these challenges? Discuss challenges and solutions with us by booking a call.
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