8 steps to getting your business AI-ready

Artificial intelligence has leapt from futuristic ambition to a vital tool for businesses looking to stay ahead. But AI isn’t about hopping on the latest bandwagon – it’s about ensuring your business is genuinely ready to benefit from it. 

In true Tecman style, here’s our practical guide to getting your business AI-ready, step by step. 

1. Assess where you are now

Before diving in, answer these questions honestly. Is your data in good condition? Clean, accessible and well-organised? Quality data is critical for any successful AI project. Check your tech infrastructure, too: are your systems cloud-friendly, scalable and secure enough to handle new AI workloads? Finally, it’s worth running a skills audit. Does your team understand basic AI concepts or are there gaps that you need to fill? 

2. Set your business goals 

AI is a powerful tool, but only when it’s supporting your core business aims. Pinpoint where AI can make a real difference – think automating repetitive tasks, boosting customer experience or sharpening up your analytics. Above all, make sure your AI ambitions line up with your broader organisational strategy. There’s no value in shiny tech for its own sake. 

3. Prioritise your data strategy 

Strong data governance is non-negotiable. That means ensuring privacy, compliance (especially with GDPR) and ethical data use. Centralise your data in a secure repository or data lake to make it easily accessible when needed. And don’t overlook the importance of data quality and clear labelling, especially if you’re eyeing up machine learning projects. 

4. Invest in your people 

AI is only as good as the people driving it. According to research from Microsoft, 47% of leaders are prioritising AI-specific skilling of their existing workforce and 78% are considering hiring for AI-specific roles to better prepare for the future. 

Start by prioritising AI literacy training for all staff, so everyone knows the basics and feels confident spotting potential use cases. For your technical teams, offer advanced training in areas like machine learning or prompt engineering. Encourage your technical and business teams to bounce off of each other. Who knows what they might come up with?

5. Pick your pilot projects 

Start with low-risk, high-impact pilot projects. Automating content tagging or launching a chatbot for FAQs are great starting points. Monitor how much time you save (or other indicators of a decent return on investment) and take time to understanding the impact before branching out or scaling up.

6. Choose the right tools and partners 

Choosing your AI tech stack is crucial. For example, if you already use Microsoft tools and software across your business (including Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and CRM), Microsoft Copilot and Azure AI would slot in nicely with your existing systems. AI is incredibly fast moving, so don't be afraid to place your trust in a partner if you feel like you need some support.

7. Don't compromise your governance and ethics

AI comes with responsibilities. Create a clear AI ethics policy focused on fairness, transparency and accountability. You could even set up a governance committee to oversee projects and ensure ongoing compliance.

8. Nurture an AI-ready culture 

Finally, talk openly about your AI journey. Your team are a lot more likely to be onboard if they understand what you're doing and why. Champion innovation, allow space for experimentation and celebrate your wins. You could even find ways to make it fun, with dedicated 'show and tell' channels, competitions, quizzes and more.

Microsoft believe that every organisation is going to have started its AI journey in the next two to five years – and that’s if they haven’t already done so. 

Getting your business AI-ready isn’t a one-off task, but it is a worthwhile commitment. Follow these steps to make sure you’ve got the right foundations in place and remember, our Tecman Talks AI series is here to give you AI insight, as well tips and tricks for making an impact with Microsoft Copilot.