Interview: AI in Business

Artificial intelligence is changing how companies operate from process automation and data-driven management to the creation of entirely new business models. How can you recognize inefficiency in an organization, when does AI make sense, and how can companies designed with AI from the start gain a strong competitive advantage?

The impact of AI on business is discussed by Zdenko Piovarči, AI expert at Brain4Industry, in an interview with Adelaine Rozinková, PR & Marketing Specialist.

Signs of Inefficiency and AI Potential

How can we recognize that a company is operating inefficiently and that AI could help?

One simple way is to send an email with a request. This is, of course, a bit of an exaggeration, but the response often quickly shows how efficiently the company operates.

If the reply takes too long, information gets lost between departments, no one clearly knows who is responsible, or you receive conflicting answers, these are clear signs of process inefficiency.

Competitiveness of Companies

Can companies remain competitive without AI?

Yes, they can. Not every activity is based on data, repeatable processes, or tasks that can be digitized. There are many fields where AI cannot replace human intuition, experience, creativity, or craftsmanship.

Typical examples include artistic crafts, design, restoration work, or custom production, where value is based on originality and a human touch. The same applies to projects that require an individual approach or where there is no available data.

At the same time, even these companies can use AI as a supporting tool. For example in marketing, customer communication, production planning, or administration. However, this does not mean that AI becomes the core of their business.

Companies that do not use AI at all can still remain competitive if they offer unique value that technology cannot replace. However, in highly competitive environments with standardized processes and strong pressure on efficiency, companies without AI may gradually lose their advantage.

AI is therefore not necessary for every business to survive. But where it can improve efficiency, speed, and decision quality, it becomes a significant competitive advantage.

AI-First Companies and New Business Models

What does the term “AI-first company” mean?

AI-first companies are businesses that build their model around artificial intelligence from the very beginning. AI is not an add-on or a tool added later, it is the core of how the company operates.

While a traditional company asks, “Where can we use AI in this process?”, an AI-first company asks, “How would AI handle this entire process?” This is a fundamental difference in mindset.

Such companies design processes to be digital, data-driven, and automated from day one. Decision-making is based on data, analysis, and predictions—not only on experience or intuition. AI can manage marketing, pricing, customer communication, logistics, and production planning.

People in these companies typically do not perform routine tasks. Their role shifts toward supervision, control, and strategic decision-making. They monitor AI outputs, set rules, handle exceptions, and make decisions where human judgment is still needed.

Another key feature of AI-first companies is scalability. When the core of the business is software and intelligent automation, the company can grow without increasing the number of employees in a linear way. This fundamentally changes the economics of business.

How a Company Designed with AI from the Start Would Operate

How would a company founded today with AI from the beginning work?

It depends on the type of company. For example, in a manufacturing business such as a foundry, all processes would be digital from the start and designed to minimize the risk of human error.

Data would be generated in real time at every stage from order intake and capacity planning to quality control. AI would help optimize production, predict machine failures, manage material consumption, and suggest more efficient processes. Instead of reacting to problems, the company would operate in a predictive way.

Administrative work would be highly automated. Orders, invoicing, planning, and customer communication would be handled digitally and largely autonomously. Employees would not need to manually transfer data between systems or deal with routine tasks.

Decision-making would also change significantly. Management would have access to clear data outputs and future scenarios, so decisions would be based not only on experience but also on data-driven insights.

Such a company would be designed as a connected system from the beginning, rather than a set of separate departments. Information would flow smoothly across the organization instead of being isolated within individual teams.

Companies like this already exist to a certain extent, and this is likely the direction most new businesses will take. This does not mean people will disappear, but their role will shift from performing routine work to supervising systems, handling exceptions, and making strategic decisions.

Companies founded today have the advantage of not being burdened by legacy processes. They can design their operations from the start to be efficient, data-driven, and ready for the future.

AI as a Competitive Advantage

Artificial intelligence is not a universal solution for every business. However, where there is data, repeatable processes, and pressure on efficiency, it becomes a key competitive advantage.

Companies that can combine human know-how with data-driven decision-making will be able to respond faster, scale their operations, and perform better in a dynamic market environment.

Do you want to increase your company’s performance and gain a competitive advantage with AI? Brain4Industry will help you find the right solution.