In a world where technology is rapidly changing the landscape of financial services, building your 'AI muscle' can make all the difference. I recently had the opportunity to witness this transformative journey firsthand at a financial services company during an agentic OS onboarding session.
Entering the room, I was greeted with eager faces ready to dive into the realm of AI. The initial energy was infectious. However, it soon became evident that while enthusiasm was high, confidence in using AI tools was shaky. Questions flooded in every few minutes, each one directed at me. The habit of asking a human first was deeply ingrained.
Our objective was clear: to transition from an apprehensive team to a confident, independent group capable of leveraging AI to its full potential. The key was straightforward yet profound—ask AI first. Like exercising a new muscle, it was a skill that needed practice to strengthen.
The initial phase was challenging. Each time a question arose about workflow enhancements or financial modeling, I gently redirected them, encouraging the team to ask the AI tools first. This was about developing a new reflex; a decisive push towards empowering them to trust their AI companions.
Slowly but steadily, the questions to me began to dwindle. Not because the team had disengaged but because they were discovering the answers themselves, becoming more confident and autonomous in their roles. They were building their AI muscle.
What we witnessed was more than a success in AI adoption. It was a shift in how the team approached problems—strategic before tactical. Their newfound confidence resulted in improved problem-solving capabilities and innovative solutions that had previously been beyond their reach. They were staying in their zone of genius, focusing on tasks requiring human creativity and judgment while relying on AI for data-driven analysis.
The cumulative effect of building the AI muscle was clear: more human per hour. With AI handling routine tasks, the team could redirect their energies towards innovation, developing creative solutions tailored to complex problems, and ultimately propelling their company's growth.
This onboarding wasn't a one-time event but the beginning of an ongoing journey. As the team became accustomed to querying AI tools first, the cultural shift became palpable. An 'AI-first' mindset was taking root, fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation pivotal in navigating the evolving financial landscape.
In the financial services sector, where efficiency and decision-making define competitive advantage, fostering the AI muscle is essential. This approach not only ensures staying ahead of technological curves but also enriches human outcomes—confidence, efficiency, and innovation.
The success of AI integration in businesses is as much about tools as it is about people. So next time you face a challenge, remember to ask the AI first. The more you do it, the stronger your AI muscle becomes, empowering you to lead with outcomes over activity.
