AI for all: when tech becomes your team mate

AI is no longer just a buzzword. In fact, it's fast becoming a byword for practical, everyday productivity.

Major breakthroughs are creating a new era of work where AI is shifting from being just another technology tool to something much more meaningful: an active participant in our daily tasks.

According to SoftwareOne research, 75% of businesses expect to use generative AI to change their internal processes within two years. In 2024, three quarters of knowledge workers globally said they used AI at work, and 46% of those had only started using it in the previous year.

The question for businesses isn't "if" they should use AI, but "how soon" and "how well."

Companies that lag behind don't just risk miss out on productivity gains. They could also usher in an era of "shadow AI" as employees find their own solutions, potentially exposing sensitive corporate data.

Beyond tools: the rise of AI colleagues

AI can now see, hear, reason and create in ways that would have seemed impossible just a few short years ago. These advances have created systems that can understand context, spot connections between ideas, and even walk through problem-solving steps much like a human colleague might.

Meanwhile, AI is everywhere. Free apps and open-source models have put powerful research and content creation tools at everyone's fingertips. This wide availability has turned AI from an expensive specialist technology to something nearly everyone can use.

The workplace tech market has moved quickly in response. Microsoft Copilot, Amazon Q and Google's Workspace with Gemini now include AI as standard in digital workplace app licences, giving everyone secure content creation and web research capabilities.

The business value of these AI solutions goes far beyond simple chatbots. The biggest change has been the rise of AI agents: specialised digital assistants that can handle specific tasks with increasingly high levels of autonomy.

Your new digital team mates: understanding AI agents

AI agents range from simple helpers focused single tasks to more advanced systems that can understand context, use tools and learn from feedback. They're already working well on practical jobs like:

• Following up on service tickets
• Looking through years of financial reports to suggest strategic improvements
• Watching systems for unusual patterns and initiating fixes
• Writing and personalising messages to large audiences

What makes today's agent technology particularly practical is how easy it is to use. In 2025, all three major workplace platforms let people without technical skills build their own agents using natural language instructions. This puts powerful automation directly in the hands of everyday users.

The biggest potential lies in advanced agents that might eventually change how we think about work entirely. But in my experience, the organisations getting the most value today are those using current agents to solve immediate business problems while simultaneously building the right skills for the future.

From human alone to human in the loop: finding the balance

The sheer, simple utility of AI agents has fundamental implications. People don't just need to learn how to use digital tools anymore: they need to learn how to work alongside them on far more equal terms.

We don't yet know exactly how humans and more advanced AI will team up, but we can assume the human part will involve critical thinking, taking ultimate responsibility for decisions, understanding emotions, and being creative. These distinctly human abilities will remain crucial even as workplaces make more and better use of AI support.

This requires a shift in how we think. Knowledge workers need to welcome the chance that today's agents provide to enhance their own creativity, good judgment and teamwork. These skills will only become more valuable as AI capabilities continue to grow.

The organisations that succeed will be those that help their people develop these complementary skills rather than seeing AI adoption as just another technology project. The relationship between humans and AI needs careful attention.

Building your AI team: a practical approach

Of course, success is never guaranteed. In fact, over 70% of AI projects fail to deliver what they promised. This sobering fact highlights the need for a sensible, measured approach—even with technology that’s as exciting as an AI agents.

A practical strategy that I'm recommending to many of our own clients is to start with first-party agents— those built into platforms like Microsoft Copilot. These provide immediate value with minimal risk while allowing teams to:

• Gain experience working with AI capabilities
• Find the highest-value uses specific to your organisation
• Set up proper governance and usage patterns
• Build technical and cultural readiness for more advanced applications

This approach typically gives a better return on investment up front while creating stepping stones to more innovative custom solutions later. It's not about limiting ambition but rather building a solid foundation for lasting success.

Leading the new blended workforce

Businesses need both flexibility and structure as they navigate this evolution. They must be adaptable enough to explore new possibilities while maintaining strong governance and ethical principles to manage risk.

Key actions that forward-thinking organisations are taking today include:

• Setting up clear AI governance frameworks
• Developing comprehensive data strategies that balance innovation with protection
• Creating a culture of trying new things with existing platforms
• Investing in skills that complement what AI can do

The most successful will strike the right balance between embracing change and staying true to their core identity and values.

When it comes to AI, gradual change is happening very fast. What seems optional today will likely be essential tomorrow. No business, no individual and no work role can afford to be left behind in this shift to a new era of human-AI teamwork.