Tuesday, 4th March 2025
At this year’s Effective Organization and Management of Workplace AI, hosted by the Caravelle Saigon Hotel, we were joined by Colin Blackwell – AI consultant, Founder of Hyperion & Enablecode.
1. The Current State of AI in Organizations
The “Effective Organization and Management of Workplace AI” event, held on March 5, 2025, explored the state of AI adoption in businesses and the challenges organizations face in managing AI effectively. A key finding was that AI is already deeply integrated into workplaces, but often in an unstructured and uncontrolled manner. Employees frequently use personal AI tools for work tasks in secret (a trend known as BYOAI—”Bring Your Own AI”). While 64% of CEOs acknowledge AI as crucial to their company’s success, only 36% allocate dedicated IT budgets for AI initiatives, leading to a disconnect between awareness and execution.
2. AI as an Intelligence, Not Just a Tool
A major theme of the event was that AI is not merely a tool, but an evolving intelligence. Unlike traditional software, AI requires collaborative interaction and structured management. Many organizations fail to recognize that AI adoption is more of an HR and leadership issue than a purely technological one. HR departments must play a significant role in guiding AI integration, as AI reshapes job roles, workflows, and necessary skill sets. Without proper training and policies, companies risk employee resistance, security vulnerabilities, and inefficiencies.
3. Real-World AI Applications in Business
The event highlighted numerous AI success stories from different industries, showcasing its impact on efficiency, fraud detection, HR processes, and regulatory compliance:
- Fraud detection: AI identified fraudulent supplier transactions within hours—a process that had previously taken human analysts years to uncover.
- HR automation: AI-powered chatbots handled employee policy inquiries, reducing HR workloads significantly. AI also automated recruitment processes, scanning resumes, verifying applicant details, and generating multilingual job application responses.
- Regulatory compliance: AI automated responses to social security inquiries in a Swiss insurance company, reducing the time required for administrative processes from hours to minutes.
These use cases reinforced the point that AI is already making businesses more efficient, and companies that fail to integrate AI risk being outperformed by competitors.
4. The Cognitive Engagement Profile (CEP) and AI Collaboration
A critical insight from the event was the importance of user interaction in maximizing AI’s capabilities. AI assesses a user’s intelligence level based on how they structure questions, iterate on responses, and engage in problem-solving. This assessment, known as the Cognitive Engagement Profile (CEP), determines the depth and accuracy of AI’s replies.
To enhance AI productivity, users should:
- Provide clear and structured instructions rather than vague prompts.
- Engage in iterative conversations, treating AI as a thinking partner rather than a static tool.
- Leverage AI’s memory and contextual features for better insights and problem-solving.
Companies must train employees in effective AI prompting and interaction skills to fully unlock AI’s potential in decision-making and strategy execution.
5. The Future of AI and the Need for Structured Adoption
The event emphasized that AI is evolving exponentially, and businesses that delay adoption risk falling irreversibly behind. Many companies ban AI usage due to concerns over accuracy and security, but this approach is counterproductive—employees will use AI in secret, leading to unregulated and potentially risky applications. The discussion drew historical parallels to the early days of automobiles, when cars were seen as dangerous until structured policies and traffic laws were introduced. Similarly, AI adoption must be structured through clear policies, governance, and training programs to ensure responsible and effective use.
6. Key Takeaways and Call to Action
The final call to action encouraged organizations to move beyond passive AI awareness and take proactive leadership in AI adoption. Key action points included:
- Upskilling employees to work effectively with AI.
- Establishing AI governance policies to regulate and optimize AI usage.
- Integrating AI into business processes strategically, rather than allowing unstructured and uncontrolled implementation.
Companies that successfully embrace AI transformation will gain competitive advantages, reduce operational costs, and increase efficiency, while those that resist AI adoption risk becoming obsolete in an intelligence-driven business landscape.
By acting now, businesses can ensure they remain future-ready in a world where AI is no longer an option—but a necessity.
Become a member to join these events and have full access to the resources
