By Jihad Dannawi, Asia (Asean + GCR) Sr. Director
For centuries, humans have relied on non-human intelligence. During World War I, armies utilised horses for logistics, and specially trained “mercy dogs” located injured soldiers on the battlefield. Similarly, farmers depended on animals like horses and mules for essential tasks.
In the modern era, Generative AI (GenAI) is revolutionising organisational efficiency. Unlike animals, GenAI not only mimics human capabilities but often surpasses them in ways that are frequently underestimated. For instance, it can analyse action items from numerous meetings to pinpoint project risks, extending far beyond mere administrative functions. What truly distinguishes GenAI is its widespread accessibility and seamless integration into daily workflows.
Democratisation and Workflow Challenges
The accessibility of GenAI has transformed the technology landscape, enabling employees to leverage advanced AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and OpenAI’s ChatGPT directly from their smartphones. A survey by Microsoft and LinkedIn revealed that 75% of knowledge workers already use AI at work, with 78% bringing their own AI tools into the office. This democratisation signifies that AI adoption is no longer optional but a necessity. Business leaders must embrace this shift and explore ways to fully harness its potential.
However, the economic impact of AI is as important as its ability to enhance individual processes. Singapore has created a strong investment environment for tech sectors, with its Smart Nation vision driving technology adoption and business transformation for productivity gains. The country aims to be a global AI leader by 2030, supported by the AI Singapore program, which connects research institutions, startups, and companies.
As Malaysia accelerates its digital transformation, AI is poised to drive innovation, economic growth, and public sector efficiency. Malaysia aims to establish a National AI Office by November, positioning itself as a regional hub for AI. The National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Roadmap 2021-2025 underscores the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and enhancing public service delivery.
As GenAI evolves across all business functions, human oversight is essential to ensure its effectiveness. Unlike traditional AI, which is confined to specific tasks, GenAI’s versatility impacts every team, process, and product. This is why business leaders must view GenAI as a new workforce partner, requiring careful attention and supervision to unlock its full potential.
Delegate, Accelerate, Invent and Generative AI
One effective approach is the “Delegate, Accelerate, and Invent” framework. By delegating routine tasks to GenAI, organisations can free up their people to focus on higher-value work, accelerating innovation and uncovering new opportunities. This enables companies to grow faster while maintaining creativity and strategic focus.
To fully realize its potential, businesses must adapt and develop new skills to manage this “superhuman” tool. This includes fostering a collaborative environment where employees can work alongside GenAI, refining processes and driving organisational growth.
While leaders recognise AI’s importance to competitiveness, 82% of business leaders in Singapore believe AI is crucial for long-term success, 56% remain uncertain about how to measure its productivity gains, according to Microsoft research. Singapore recognises AI’s transformative potential through its second National AI Strategy (NAIS 2.0), which aims to position Singapore as a hub where AI empowers individuals and businesses alike.
In Malaysia, 95% of businesses globally acknowledge that AI will increase infrastructure demands; however, only 27% of organisations in Malaysia consider their infrastructure highly scalable. A majority (61%) report having limited or no scalability to meet new AI challenges within their current IT frameworks. Nearly four-fifths (79%) of Malaysian companies will require additional data center graphics processing units (GPUs) for future AI workloads.
People are key to unlocking these benefits. Leaders must consider how GenAI will influence their roles and strategies. This shift involves embracing a cultural transformation where AI becomes an essential business partner. To realise GenAI’s potential, it must be integrated into daily operations. Through experimentation and collaboration, teams can identify where GenAI can boost efficiency.
Organisations should also harness their workforce’s potential. By fostering curiosity and empowering employees to become “transformation leaders,” businesses can maximize AI’s benefits. As Deloitte points out, GenAI can revolutionise any knowledge-based task.
Paving the Path Forward
As GenAI continues to evolve, industry leaders have demonstrated its transformative power. Companies like Moderna are leveraging AI to streamline operations ahead of major product launches, while Verizon has identified areas where GenAI can optimize processes, enhance product experiences, and drive revenue growth. These examples illustrate that strategic AI use isn’t about chasing trends but navigating the AI landscape with purpose and insight.
Effectively using large language models requires balance. Understanding AI’s limitations and deploying it responsibly focusing on high-quality data and targeted applications ensures tangible results. It’s also crucial for organisations to harness the potential of their people by encouraging curiosity and empowering every employee to act as a “transformation lead.”
Now is the time to act. To unlock the full potential of GenAI, organisations must embrace their unique strengths. While anyone can access AI tools, no other company has your specific employees, customer relationships, partnerships, or data.
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