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Levels of AI Engagement for Your Business

Picture of Jeff Gilbert By   ·  2 minute read

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s here, and small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the Central Valley are integrating it at different levels. Whether you’re just starting to experiment with AI-powered tools or building a more advanced AI system, you get to choose the level of engagement with AI that's best for your business. The level of engagement you choose influences your costs, ease of adoption, required resources, potential impact, and competitive differentiation.

Below, we break down the three primary levels of AI engagement and what they mean for your business.

1. Off-the-Shelf AI: Simple and Accessible

Off-the-shelf AI tools are pre-built applications that businesses can start using immediately. These include tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and AI-powered features in business applications like Salesforce, QuickBooks, and Google Workspace.

Key Characteristics:

  • Cost: Typically low, with subscription-based or pay-per-use models.

  • Ease of Use: Very user-friendly, requiring little to no technical expertise.

  • Resource Requirements: Minimal; businesses can start using these tools with little setup.

  • Potential Impact: Helps with automation, efficiency, and productivity, but offers limited differentiation.

  • Competitive Advantage: Since these tools are widely available, they rarely offer a unique edge over competitors.

Who is it for? SMBs that want to improve operations without significant investment or technical complexity. Ideal for businesses looking to streamline tasks like customer service, marketing, and document processing.

2. Integrated AI: A Step Toward Customization

An integrated AI approach connects multiple applications and data sources to create a more automated and intelligent business environment. Companies at this level use AI for deeper insights, enhanced workflows, and even AI-powered agents that assist with customer service, sales, and decision-making.

Key Characteristics:

  • Cost: Higher than off-the-shelf solutions due to integration and customization.

  • Ease of Use: Requires some technical knowledge, but many platforms offer no-code or low-code integration options.

  • Resource Requirements: Moderate; requires investment in software, training, and possibly consultants.

  • Potential Impact: Improved efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and better automation.

  • Competitive Advantage: Enables businesses to optimize operations and improve customer experience in ways that generic tools cannot.

Who is it for? SMBs that want AI to work across multiple systems and processes, such as professional service firms leveraging AI for legal research, healthcare providers automating patient interactions, or construction firms optimizing project management.

3. Custom AI: Tailored for Maximum Impact

At the highest level, businesses develop fully custom AI applications. These solutions involve training AI models on proprietary data, refining existing models, or even building AI-powered products unique to the company’s needs.

Key Characteristics:

  • Cost: High; requires significant investment in data science, development, and infrastructure.

  • Ease of Use: Requires dedicated technical expertise, ongoing management, and refinement.

  • Resource Requirements: Substantial; time, talent, and financial resources are needed to develop and maintain custom AI solutions.

  • Potential Impact: High; businesses can create highly differentiated solutions that drive innovation and efficiency.

  • Competitive Advantage: Offers a strong edge for businesses looking to stand out in their industry.

Who is it for? SMBs looking to create unique AI-driven solutions tailored to their operations, such as financial firms using proprietary AI for risk assessment or healthcare practices developing AI-powered patient management systems.

AI Engagement: Start Small, Grow Over Time

AI adoption doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Many SMBs start with off-the-shelf AI tools to automate simple tasks and improve efficiency. As they gain confidence and recognize the benefits, they may move toward an integrated AI approach, connecting systems to further streamline operations and gain deeper insights. Eventually, businesses ready to take full control and differentiate themselves can explore custom AI solutions tailored to their specific needs.

By gradually increasing AI investment, SMBs can manage costs, build internal expertise, and scale their AI capabilities in a way that makes sense for their business. No matter where you start, the key is to embrace AI as a tool that grows with you.

If you’re wondering how to get started or take AI to the next level, Verve IT can help. Let’s talk about how AI can fit into your business strategy. Contact us today to explore the possibilities.