FAQs
“The board is set, the pieces are moving. We come to it at last, the great battle of our time.”
- J. R. R. Tolkien
- Over 50% of large enterprises, 34% medium and 15% of small companies are using AI consulting services.
- 50% of companies with customer service have begun to use some form of AI.
- 75% of top executives believe AI will enable a competitive advantage.
- 60% of IT leaders cannot integrate AI with their existing technology stack.
- 20% of companies are using AI in service operations, corporate finance, and strategy.
- 37% of companies in Canada are experimenting with AI. (65% in US)
- 75% of consumers are comfortable with chatbots handling routine customer service tasks.
- 76% of marketers are using AI tools for work.
KMPG and Michael S. (Fractional CTO. Principal Consultant Gen AI, NLP Solutions) - April 2024
General Understanding of AI
AI is a branch of computer science focused on creating systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as decision-making, problem-solving, and learning. For your business, AI can improve efficiency, reduce costs, enhance customer experiences, and generate data-driven insights to guide strategy.
AI is the broader concept of machines mimicking human intelligence. Machine learning (ML) is a subset of AI that enables systems to learn from data and improve without explicit programming. Data analytics focuses on analyzing and interpreting raw data to uncover trends. While data analytics provides insights, AI and ML enable predictive and prescriptive solutions.
Yes, AI has applications across nearly every industry. If you visit our Solutions/Business Cases page, you will find dozens of opportunities to review. If you do not find your industry/challenge listed, please contact us, as we would be grateful and happy to address your unique needs and share our AI expertise.
Implementation
We begin with an assessment of your business challenges, goals, and data readiness. Next, we identify high-impact areas where AI can provide measurable value, then create a roadmap for implementation, starting with pilot projects.
AI thrives on high-quality, structured, and relevant data. This could include customer data, operational logs, sales figures, or other business metrics. If your data is unorganized or incomplete, we can help clean and structure it for AI applications. We provide the design and implementation of key data guidelines and architecture.
Initially, there may be adjustments, but we work to minimize disruptions by aligning AI solutions with your current processes and gradually introducing them. Change management and training are key parts of the process.
Depending on the complexity, AI implementation can take 3-12 months. A proof of concept (PoC) typically takes 6-12 weeks, while a full-scale deployment can take longer.
Cost and ROI
Costs vary based on the scope and complexity of the project. AI assessments can be done rapidly, in-depth and cost effective in a matter of weeks. The learning and knowledge from assessments and skills training easily produce multiple ROIs. Small pilots or off-the-shelf solutions can follow at the average cost of a professional website design. Custom solutions design or large-scale AI implementations are more affordable in 2025 as efficiencies continue to scale alongside the technology.
ROI depends on the use case. At the basic training and solution level, businesses experience significant cost reductions (by 10-50%), increased revenue (by 15-30%), and faster processes (up to 50% efficiency gains). We help quantify ROI during the strategy phase by assessing immediate and sustainable impacts on the organization, people, processes and technology.
Absolutely. Cloud-based AI platforms (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud) and open-source models provide scalable, affordable options tailored to smaller budgets. Large language models (LLMs) are being used by nearly 50% of SMBs currently and increasing daily. Customer service automation and data analytics powered by AI solutions are becoming turnkey options for businesses prepared and willing to learn the technology.
Customization
We offer both. Custom solutions are ideal for unique challenges, while off-the-shelf tools can address common needs efficiently. We often combine the two for a tailored yet cost-effective approach. The key is establishing the proper guidelines, goals, oversight, planning, data continuity framework and tech stake through conceptual design, before engaging in a point solution or large-scale implementation.
Through our unique approach and design methodology, we confirm the current state and collaborate with teams to align your objectives. We start every project with a strategy assessment to define success metrics and align AI initiatives with your goals. The most successful AI projects prioritize resources to address the people and processes involved, so we promote training and ensure organizational buy-in before design. We customize our approach to serve both short term KPIs for proof of concept, but also sustainable results and future-proofing for long term success.
Data Privacy and Security
Data is always handled securely and remains your property. We comply with privacy standards, use encryption, and follow best practices to protect sensitive information.
We design solutions with compliance in mind. This includes anonymizing data, obtaining user consent where required, and providing transparency about how data is used.
Operational and Team Integration
Over 50% of businesses are relying on consultants as a quick, cost-effective solution, to train and develop existing staff. This minimizes the risks, time, and costs of creating and hiring a new AI related position. AI solutions often integrate with existing workflows and positions within the organization, making the training of your current team critical. Many AI systems can be managed with minimal technical expertise, but training for your team is vital and we offer ongoing support services.
We provide tailored training programs, covering system usage, interpreting AI outputs, and leveraging insights for decision-making. We also review workflows and processes to determine new efficiencies that ensure AI adoption and ROI.
AI often automates repetitive tasks or enhances knowledge-based functions, enabling employees to focus on higher-value work. We help you develop a workforce transition plan, including reskilling and upskilling employees. We also provide training for individuals directly leveraging AI to empower them in their current roles or adapt to new tasks. We encourage every organization to establish pre-emptive AI guidelines that cover both usage, and the long term business implications of AI integration for the well-being of their teams.
Scalability and Flexibility
Yes, scalability is a priority. Cloud-based solutions and modular architectures ensure that systems can grow with your business. During our design and implementations, we prioritize sustainability and continuous improvement.
Absolutely. We design AI solutions to integrate with your current tools, systems, and workflows to maximize compatibility and minimize disruption. If required, new systems can also be research, procured, designed and integrated to reach the goals and KPIs of the organization.
Flexibility is built into our process. AI solutions are modular, allowing adjustments to accommodate new business needs or strategies. By starting with a strong framework and organizational support, we can prevent costly rework and avoid disruption.
Vendor Specific
We focus on measurable outcomes, personalized solutions, and a partnership-driven approach. Our expertise spans strategy, technology, and change management, ensuring a seamless experience. Over large consulting firms, we provide high level expertise and experience, without the large costs, prolonged processes and resource allocation. Our thorough, people focused and technology agnostic approach to design is also superior to AI point solutions designed to address a technology gap and nothing else.
We work with leading platforms like AWS, Google, and open-source technologies, but remain vendor-agnostic, ensuring solutions that best meet your needs. We also have partnerships with leading AI technology products, design architects, data experts and AI services.
We’ve worked with industries like energy, infrastructure management, insurance, marketing, warehousing, logistics, construction, manufacturing, and retail. For example, we helped a mid-sized insurer reduce claim processing times by 50% using AI-driven automation.
Risk and Challenges
Common risks include poor data quality, misaligned goals, and user resistance. We mitigate these through thorough planning, change management, and ongoing evaluation.
These include overestimating capabilities, neglecting data preparation, and underestimating change management. We guide you to avoid these pitfalls.
We monitor performance closely and iterate as needed. Our agile approach ensures rapid problem-solving and continuous improvement.
Future Trends
AI will become more accessible, with advances in generative AI, real-time decision-making, and predictive analytics. Staying competitive means investing in scalable, forward-thinking solutions.
Keep an eye on quantum computing, IoT, blockchain, and edge computing, as these technologies will enhance AI’s potential.