Today, AI is more than a buzzword, it is an innovation that is transforming almost every field of human activity. In a technological world that is accustomed to rapid change, I see its impact the most. It's a force that is changing the competitive ability of the biggest tech giants and just-founded startups.

Across the board, there are companies that are cautious and waiting to see how AI evolves. They're wondering if it's just another buzzword, or if they just want to see how others will do it, so they can blaze a trail and then just copy it. That's about as misguided as waiting for Rohlik to deploy a new CRM and then trying to emulate it.

Why is waiting not a strategy, but a path to falling behind?

Companies that delay AI implementation often argue caution, "We'll wait until the technology is tested and stable." however, this logic overlooks several key factors:

1. Steep learning curve - While you're waiting, your competition is going full speed ahead. Tuning processes, gaining implementation experience, training employees. This knowledge gap will take a long and expensive time to make up.
2. Data readiness takes time - Quality AI implementation depends on quality data. In practice, it turns out that data preparation is on a scale of months rather than days.
3. Organisational change is a gradual process - Working with AI means changing the mindset, processes and skills of employees. These changes can't be made overnight.

Gradually building an AI competitive advantage

Although AI is evolving rapidly, it is important to remember that it is still one technology for LLMs, albeit with a growing number of applications. Companies investing in AI are already getting a head start in several key areas.

Optimising operational efficiency - "Artificial intelligence" is gradually penetrating all company processes and increasing their efficiency. These savings multiply over time.

Developer Experience - Efficiency gains are visible throughout the development cycle (SLDC). It has a profound effect on how developers work and their experience and deliverables. We're talking about both the quality and quantity of deliverables.

Customer Experience - Companies using AI can offer increasingly personalised services, leading to greater customer loyalty.

How to get started with AI, even if you've been waiting?

Even if you have procrastinated so far, you can take steps to minimize the gap.

Let AI solve a real problem - don't implement AI just "because it's a trend".

Questions before the start:

• Where do we waste time with repetitive tasks?
• Where do we often make mistakes or overlook important information?
• What could improve the customer experience?
  

1. Start with data preparation - Clean and consolidated data is the key to successful AI implementation. Identify what that data is and prepare it for implementation by removing errors, filling in missing values and unifying formats. This can be followed by extending the knowledge base of the model, called RAG.
2. AI Strategy - Create a strategy, a roadmap. Define the areas that could benefit from "artificial intelligence". Identify the most critical ones and start working systematically to achieve goals in the most relevant areas. Define a measure of success.
3. Start with smaller projects - So-called pilot projects will help you achieve "quick wins". This will result in at least 3 things:
4. 1. Employees will see that AI works and be inclined to adopt.
   2. You will gain the confidence to implement larger projects on the stakeholder side.
   3. You will take away replicable processes.

Conclusion

Waiting for the "right moment" to implement AI is like standing on a platform waiting for an ideally empty train with a perfect view - it will never arrive. In the meantime, you're missing one train connection after another, and with it, opportunities for growth and competitiveness. AI technology is evolving so fast that waiting is not a sign of prudence, but a risk of falling behind.

The most successful companies of the future will not necessarily be those with the biggest budgets, but those that have managed to integrate AI into their DNA early on and systematically build a competitive advantage. Don't wait until you miss the train - start planning your AI transformation today.