Is the lack of AI know-how quickly becoming a major roadblock for companies around the world?
We've all heard about the amazing things AI can do, but it's just as important to recognize the downsides. If companies don't get a handle on AI skills, they're likely to miss out on growth opportunities. Whether you're running a small business or a big corporation, not having a good grasp of AI is a risk you can't afford to ignore.
Where do we currently stand?
Following the enormous hype (and wild speculation) that accompanied the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, AI is now being used in simple, practical ways in businesses both large and small.
In marketing, AI is widely used to monitor and assess ad performance in real time, enabling the adjustment of bids, reconfiguration of platforms, and the rearrangement of creative campaign elements, all to achieve the best value for the money spent. Additionally, AI assists in segmenting a client base, ensuring the right product or message reaches the right customer, and personalises interactions to enhance engagement. Beyond making marketing campaigns more effective, AI automation of routine tasks frees up valuable time for strategic initiatives.
The opportunities are clear. That said, it’s also important to be aware of the risks.
The South African government has outlined its AI strategy, and businesses will soon face new regulations specifically addressing AI-driven decision-making and data protection under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
Staying compliant as these laws evolve is critical—especially for SMEs that handle customer data. Many companies aren’t yet prepared, with studies indicating that only about 15% of South African businesses have a formal AI policy in place.
For SMEs, the risk isn’t just falling behind competitors, it’s failing to meet the ethical and legal standards that will soon be required.
Building AI Literacy Safely in Your Business
So how can you build AI skills and ensure your business doesn’t fall behind? Here are six practical steps to start building AI literacy within your team.
- Focus on Keeping Things Secure and Private
AI processes any data you provide as 'training data' to enhance its models. Consequently, your input is essentially entering the public sphere. It is crucial for every business to establish a definitive policy on AI usage and data protection, particularly for those managing sensitive customer information.
You can't ignore AI and hope it goes away. Even if you're not directly using ChatGPT, it's highly likely that the tools you are using incorporate AI technology. It's essential for every business to establish a clear policy on AI engagement, with a strong focus on data security.
If you’re wondering what an AI usage policy looks like, feel free to take a look at ours.
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Offer Training
AI isn't something your team can be expected to master on their own. Much like learning Excel or any other vital tool, structured training is essential.
You can't just hand over tools and expect people to understand them. Training is crucial, and staff need guidance on where to access it. They require foundational AI training, even for basic tasks like effective prompting.
Investing in professional AI training will empower your team with the confidence to explore AI's potential and integrate it into their daily activities.
Here are two courses that will help you and your team understand the basics of AI:
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Invest in superior tools
While free AI tools offer a decent starting point for exploration, they come with significant limitations. The free version of ChatGPT, for instance, falls short compared to the enhanced capabilities of the paid version.
Using paid versions of AI in your business is crucial for several reasons. First, paid versions typically offer enhanced features, such as advanced capabilities, greater processing power, and improved accuracy, which can significantly boost productivity and decision-making. Additionally, these versions often come with dedicated support and regular updates, ensuring your business benefits from the latest advancements and security enhancements. Paid services also prioritise data privacy and compliance, providing stronger safeguards for sensitive information—an essential consideration in today’s regulatory landscape. Ultimately, investing in a paid AI solution can lead to a more reliable, efficient, and secure operational framework, setting your business apart from competitors relying solely on free tools.
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Follow the experts
AI is advancing rapidly, making it essential to stay informed about the latest innovations. By following reliable experts in the AI field, you can maintain a competitive edge.
Listen to those who are well-informed. With so much misinformation circulating, aligning with credible voices can keep you on the right path.
Some of our favourite accounts to follow:
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Master the Art of Prompting
Knowing how to ask AI the right questions—often referred to as prompting—is a key skill that can significantly enhance the effectiveness of interactions with AI systems. Crafting precise and clear prompts enables users to obtain more relevant and accurate responses, tailoring the output to their specific needs. Effective prompting involves understanding the context and desired outcomes, allowing users to guide the AI towards providing insights, solutions, or creative ideas that align with their objectives. As AI continues to evolve, mastering this skill will not only improve productivity but also foster better collaboration between humans and machines, ultimately leading to more innovative and efficient results.
Resources like Ben’s Bites provide hundreds of ready-made prompts for teams of all sizes.
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Explore and Innovate
Experimentation is essential. AI doesn't offer a universal solution; the more you explore and test, the better you'll understand how it can address your unique business requirements.
You must maintain a strong sense of curiosity. Many people are merely experimenting with tools, but it's essential to experiment with AI in practical scenarios to truly understand its capabilities. AI can effectively inform you if it can assist with a task and what it requires from you to begin.
If you’re wondering whether AI can help, ask it!
Embrace AI to stay ahead or risk falling behind
The message is clear: A lack of AI literacy is a real and growing risk for businesses. AI isn’t going away, and those that fail to adopt it will find themselves falling behind faster than they might expect.
