Generative AI for SMEs: what actually works
Generative AI is everywhere in conversations. But between the announcement and the operational reality, there is often a significant gap. Here is what Athcode observes in practice, with organisations that have moved past the testing phase and are now integrating these tools into their daily processes.
What SMEs are actually adopting
The vast majority of real-world usage concentrates on three areas:
1. Structured content production
Drafting commercial proposals, internal reports, meeting minutes. Time savings are real — between 30% and 60% depending on document type — provided you have defined clear templates and instructions upfront.
2. Information extraction and summarisation
Quickly analysing a supplier contract, extracting key clauses from a tender document, condensing an 80-page technical audit into a one-page decision brief. This is where generative AI excels, with low error risk when given the right instructions.
3. Code assistance and automation
Generating scripts to process files, automating data exports, creating complex spreadsheet formulas. Measurable gains, without requiring dedicated developers.
Common mistakes
Most deployments that fail share the same characteristics:
- No governance framework: who validates the outputs? What data is acceptable to send to an external model?
- Poor use case selection: generative AI is not suited to processes requiring absolute precision or direct legal accountability.
- Insufficient training: a tool used without method produces mediocre results. Prompt engineering is a skill.
Our approach at Athcode
As part of our consulting engagements, we always begin with a framing exercise that identifies high-cognitive-load, low-differentiation processes — this is where AI automation creates the most value. We then define a data perimeter and a usage policy before any deployment.
Generative AI is a powerful lever. But like any lever, its effectiveness depends entirely on the fulcrum you give it.
Looking to identify the right use cases for your organisation? Contact us.