Adopting generative AI: Insights from BE-terna CEO Gerald Pichler

Why should companies jump on the AI train, and why should CEOs care about AI?

Companies should embrace AI to secure competitive advantages. AI future-proofs operations, enhances decision-making, and allows the workforce to focus on more creative and strategic tasks, positioning companies for sustained growth and market leadership.

For CEOs, AI is a strategic imperative. It can revolutionize industries, significantly impact financial performance, and drive profound organizational transformation. AI's capabilities are advancing rapidly, and its relevance for businesses is increasing. However, navigating ethical implications and regulatory compliance is crucial. CEOs must lead responsible AI implementation while fostering innovation.

How can genAI benefit mid-sized companies already today?

Just to name some examples, genAI can save time on content creation, like blog posts and articles, while maintaining a consistent brand voice. GenAI-powered chatbots handle customer inquiries smoothly, leading to more efficient service. In product development, genAI helps brainstorm new ideas by analyzing data and trends. GenAI can also improve internal communications by drafting meeting summaries, reports, or other internal documents. 

Through our program, we help customers find use cases tailored to their specific needs, ensuring compliance with regulations and maximizing benefits.

What are some potential risks of adopting genAI, and how can companies mitigate these risks? 

Adopting genAI comes with risks, including data privacy concerns, intellectual property issues, regulatory non-compliance, biased decision-making, and job displacement fears. To mitigate these risks, companies should raise awareness among employees and promote responsible usage. Implement robust data governance policies and ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR and the EU AI Act to protect sensitive information. Use diverse datasets and regularly audit systems to prevent bias. Finally, focus on enhancing rather than replacing human roles and offer reskilling programs to address job displacement concerns and foster a positive employee experience.

Can you tell us more about BE-terna’s journey with adopting genAI and the key learnings from this experience?

We started with a structured approach, defining practical use cases in different departments and setting guidelines to follow regulations. Each use case had clear, measurable outcomes. This helped us meet immediate needs while building a long-term AI strategy. Our goal was to boost internal efficiency and create a framework our clients could use too. What began as an internal program has now evolved into a service we offer to customers. Key lessons include the need for balanced AI adoption, strict compliance with European regulations, and sticking to ethical guidelines. We also learned the importance of using diverse datasets and models to avoid bias and ensure fairness.

How has BE-terna’s internal experience with AI shaped its AI consultancy offerings, and what advice would you give to other CEOs?

Our internal experience has greatly informed our new services. We now deliver practical, experience-based programs, leveraging our expertise in the latest genAI tools, machine learning implementations, and data governance. Our consultancy is deeply integrated with industry-specific knowledge, ensuring comprehensive and effective AI strategies for our clients.

For CEOs, I advise focusing on how genAI can add value to their business, prioritizing robust data protection, and partnering with an experienced and trustworthy partner to manage the integration effectively.

What specific challenges did BE-terna face during its internal genAI program, and how were these challenges overcome? 

We encountered typical adoption challenges, such as ensuring regulatory compliance and implementing robust data governance policies aligned with GDPR. We overcame these hurdles through a phased approach, ensuring smooth and human-centric progress while achieving concrete results. Continuous employee engagement, comparing use cases, and focusing on achievements fostered a positive and proactive approach within the organization.

How do you see the future of AI evolving in the next 5-10 years, particularly for mid-sized companies in Europe?

The future of AI for mid-sized companies in Europe is incredibly promising and transformative. AI's increasing accessibility and affordability will level the economic playing field, empowering mid-sized companies to compete with larger enterprises. Now is the optimal time for companies to leverage AI to unlock unprecedented levels of productivity, innovation, and growth.

Considering AI's rapid development, making precise predictions is challenging. However, it's clear that AI will continue to evolve swiftly, making its adoption non-negotiable for businesses. We also expect regulatory frameworks to become more defined, facilitating responsible AI adoption and ensuring compliance and ethical usage.