There is no shortage of ideas for using AI. The challenge is choosing a first project that delivers value, builds confidence and does not create new risks. We use five questions to test each idea.
1. Is the task frequent and repetitive?
The best early candidates are tasks people do many times a week, such as sorting enquiries, extracting details from documents or drafting routine responses.
2. Can you check the output easily?
Choose tasks where a person can quickly tell whether the result is right. That makes it straightforward to measure accuracy and keep a human in the loop.
3. Is the data available and appropriate to use?
Confirm that you can access the data you need and that using it is consistent with your data protection obligations and contracts.
4. What happens when it is wrong?
Low-impact errors that are easy to correct are acceptable in a pilot. High-impact decisions need stronger controls or a different approach.
5. Will anyone own it?
A pilot without an owner rarely reaches production. Identify the team that will use, monitor and improve it.
Ideas that pass all five questions make strong pilots. If you would like help shortlisting and testing them, see our AI and automation service.