We have introduced AI. What comes next? 

In just a few years, artificial intelligence has become part of everyday business. Many organizations began experimenting with it in areas where results could be achieved quickly and with minimal change, such as summarizing documents, creating content, searching for information or supporting administrative tasks. 

However, capturing the most accessible benefits does not yet amount to transforming the business. The same applies when an organization provides broad access to a generative AI assistant such as Microsoft Copilot. Employees gain a new tool, while the underlying processes and operating model may remain largely unchanged. 

The next stage is therefore about how companies can use what they have learned to improve the way they operate. 

From individual tasks to end-to-end processes 

An obvious way to use AI is to support an existing task. More profound change becomes possible, however, when a company examines the end-to-end process: are the same steps still necessary, should decisions still be made at the same point, which tasks can AI support, and where does human judgment remain essential? 

At this point, AI is no longer simply a technology issue. It affects business processes, data, employees’ roles and the organization’s operating model. A technically sound solution is not enough if it does not address a relevant business problem. Likewise, a promising use case is difficult to scale across the organization without the right data, governance and clear accountability. 

Initial experiments are therefore important: they help organizations understand the technology’s potential and limitations, while giving both the company and its employees valuable experience. To make real progress, however, these lessons must eventually be turned into organizational capability. 

The value of AI must be created in the way the business operates 

This requires clear business objectives, the right data, a prepared workforce and responsible governance. With these foundations in place, AI can become an integral part of business operations rather than a series of isolated solutions. 

This is why EY Hungary brings together enterprise AI strategy, Responsible AI and technology implementation. By addressing these areas together, we can help companies move from their first AI experiments to the deliberate use of technology to create business value.