91% of professionals say their firm still falls short on AI - how to fix that (www.zdnet.com)

A recent global survey of 1,800 professionals has revealed that 91% believe their organizations are underperforming in AI adoption, highlighting a growing disconnect between AI aspirations and actual implementation. Kirsty Roth, COO of Thomson Reuters, pointed out that despite the influx of advanced AI technologies, many businesses struggle to derive tangible value due to ineffective change management practices. Professionals expressed a need for tools that ensure data security, provide grounded outputs, and deliver explainable reasoning, but faced challenges like "tool blast," where a plethora of AI services are offered without clear objectives or guidance. To bridge this gap, Roth emphasizes the importance of well-grounded explorations and solid production use cases. Successful firms are focusing on specific applications of AI, like improving customer support and operational efficiency, rather than remaining in a trial phase. Thomson Reuters has effectively integrated AI into its workflows, enabling employees to utilize tools like Open Arena and the Claude model for tasks ranging from market research to customer interaction. By fostering a culture where employees can experiment with AI without fear, the organization is seeing promising advancements in its operational processes. This approach serves as a roadmap for others in the industry looking to harness AI's potential effectively.