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AI isn’t just a tool, it’s a game changer. But to truly unlock its potential, companies need more than technology – they need a strategy that puts empowered employees at the centre. Are you ready for the challenge?
AI: A new technology with unprecedented impact
Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just another technological advancement – it’s a revolution. Unlike anything we’ve seen before, AI is reshaping the very foundation of how businesses operate. It’s not as simple as adopting a model and adapting it to your company; it’s about integrating fundamentally redesigned processes. Reconfiguring a business around AI can be challenging, and external consultants may not know your business well enough to provide effective help.
In the past, the adoption of new technologies often led to increased efficiency, and companies responded by reducing the workforce assigned to automated tasks. While automation typically affected low-skilled jobs, AI enhances the work of skilled professionals. However, using AI solely as a cost-cutting tool by displacing or dismissing these professionals would be short-sighted. Instead, AI should be leveraged to amplify the productivity and output of qualified employees – improving their capabilities rather than replacing them. The true potential of AI lies in driving growth, a challenge that most companies are not prepared to face.
How much can AI improve productivity?
In many jobs, the difference in quality between truly skilled and experienced individuals and the average worker is relatively small and often requires long training and experience to achieve. But in some highly qualified jobs, the difference can be enormous – 20 to 30 times greater. This is known as the 10x rule. For example, studies show that an expert software developer can be up to 27 times more effective than an average programmer. This level of expertise typically requires years of training and experience. Now, with the help of AI, an average programmer can quickly become a 10x programmer with just minimal training in prompting skills.
This exponential factor is becoming relevant in more and more sectors. In fact, everyone could soon become an expert! And this is where the true superpower of AI lies: the ability to rapidly elevate the skills and capabilities of individuals, turning them into top performers in their fields.
How to use this superpower effectively
This is where companies struggle, because most have never faced such a challenge before. It’s not just about optimising and improving processes through digitalisation; it’s about centering activities around empowered employees. This means redefining the workplace and establishing new processes, while managing AI resources in innovative ways.
It’s no secret that “shadow AI”, or the use of AI by employees outside of corporate rules, has exploded. Those who use AI often do so in secret because it has become a competitive advantage. In fact, not using AI is now a competitive disadvantage. The classic response of blocking such practices (remember the fight against shadow IT for security reasons) is no longer viable, as it clearly alienates employees who feel empowered. These empowered employees see their skills with fresh eyes and are unwilling to be constrained by regulations or continue to do work that is perceived as mundane.
“AI is here to stay as your partner. While it empowers businesses to unlock their 10x potential, humans remain at the heart of every AI-driven transformation.”
Angelo MathisSenior Manager, Digital Assurance & Trust, PwC Switzerland
What should companies do?
Companies that use AI effectively aren’t just surviving – they’re dominating their industries, outpacing competitors who are slow to adapt.
An incremental approach to AI adoption is too slow, while uncontrolled use yields suboptimal results and creates new risks, such as security vulnerabilities. Work needs to be redesigned, empowering employees rather than restricting them, to ensure the safe and secure use of AI without unnecessary limitations.
It’s not just about deploying AI tools and implementing governance that mirrors traditional IT; it’s about creating a new governance framework centred on employees who, with AI, become 10x experts without being constrained.
Harnessing the full potential of AI with PwC
At PwC, we’re living the AI transformation firsthand, working closely with our clients, and learning what works and what doesn’t. We believe that companies with AI-enabled employees need much more than just governance and control over tools and processes – they need true transformation led by those augmented employees. We are here to be your partner on this incredible journey.
How is your company using AI today? Are you ready to take the next step and transform your business with AI? Let’s explore together how we can help you take the lead in the AI-driven future.
Your AI experts
Angelo Mathis
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