AI marketing is loud right now. Everything gets labeled “AI,” whether it’s a simple feature or a real change in how work gets done, and it’s hard to tell what actually matters and where companies are getting value.
This false labeling is also why people have such different experiences with AI at work. Companies have invested very differently so far. Some teams have approved tools and created connected systems. Others are still working out where to start.
Two people can say “we use AI” and mean completely different things.
Here’s how I’ve been thinking about it, and where I see the market heading.
The three buckets
1. Personal AI productivity tools
AI that helps one person do their work. For example, ChatGPT drafting an email or Copilot summarizing a meeting.
Many companies have rolled these out, and there’s still room to grow. So far the gain shows up mostly in better work, with modest gains in speed.
2. AI use cases built into the software
Your vendors build AI features. You configure them and decide which ones are worth turning on. For example, ServiceNow Now Assist summarizing an HR case or Workday drafting a job description.
These are proven use cases that vendors have already built and packaged. They’re fairly easy to put in place and shouldn’t take much time or attention to implement. Their real value is in consistency, because every team on the same platform works the same way. In this case, AI has become systemic.
3. Enterprise AI optimization
This is where the biggest payoff is, and the market is still taking shape. Some companies are already leading here, using AI to change how work moves across the organization. For example, an employee asks about parental leave, gets an accurate answer right away, and a case opens if they need a person.
The best examples I’ve seen have three things in common. They started with the process, took governance seriously, and standardized how AI gets used.
AI optimization for HR is the heart of the work we do together with our customers at Stridepath, and the strongest results come from us leading and their teams owning the change.
Why the bucket matters
Once you know which bucket you’re operating in, the conversation gets simpler: who owns it, what it costs, what success looks like, and what value you’re getting.
What are you seeing?
Take a minute to think about where your organization stands today.
Which bucket is your team putting the most energy into right now? And is that energy chasing the hype or delivering results?
For more information or to schedule a call with our team, drop a note to [email protected]!
About the Author: Greg Smith is an execution focused consulting and advisory leader with over 20 years of HR Technology industry experience. His expertise and career focus includes HR systems implementations, consulting operations leadership, and strategic business planning.
Greg grew up in the United States Army Special Operations community as an Airborne Ranger Fire Team Leader and was formally educated as an accountant and an information technologist. This progression has given him a balanced approach between pragmatism and the art of the possible throughout his career.
He is passionate about helping our customers succeed, building high performing teams, playing golf, alpine mountaineering and his family.
