Posted by: Theo Paraskevopoulos
23 May 2025
It’s been more than two years since ChatGPT first hit the scene. The technology has finally matured—and so has the conversation around it. What was once a playground for experimentation is now a serious tool ready to deliver business value.
The time for pilots and proofs of concept is over. It’s time to deploy generative AI in real projects that demand a return on investment.
The time is now, because:
1. It’s supportable
The tech isn’t wild and unpredictable anymore. With platforms like Azure OpenAI, you can control costs, keep things secure, and actually support it like any other enterprise tool.
2. It’s safe (when done right)
Guardrails are no longer a nice-to-have—they’re built in. You can set boundaries, monitor usage, and make sure AI behaves the way you want it to.
3. Your team is already using it
Whether you’ve approved it or not, people are turning to AI tools to get things done faster. Ignoring that doesn’t reduce risk—it increases it. Better to embrace it and guide how it’s used.
4. The focus is shifting to real problems
With initiatives like Azure AI Foundry, the emphasis is no longer on the underlying tech, but on solving business problems. The conversation has moved from “what can the tech do?” to “how can it help us?”
5. It’s already delivering value
No, it’s not changing the world overnight—but it is making a difference. Think smoother customer interactions, faster handling of repetitive tasks, and better access to information. Small wins, big impact.
So what do you do next?
You don’t need to overhaul your entire business or make massive investments. Start with targeted deployments in areas where natural language interaction or task automation can make a difference. Use an iterative approach—test, learn, and expand.
Generative AI is just a technology. Like any tool, its value depends on how and where you use it. The difference now is that it’s ready. Are you?
