Skip to main content

AI Quick Check

Time: 2 minutes. Answer six questions to find out where you stand.

1. How much pain are you in?​

  • A. This problem is costing us real money or time every week. We need to fix it.
  • B. It's annoying but manageable. We're exploring options.
  • C. We're just curious about what AI could do for us.

2. Can you point to the problem?​

  • A. Yes. I can name the specific workflow, who's affected, and roughly what it costs us.
  • B. I have a general sense but haven't mapped it out.
  • C. Not really. I just know things could be better.

3. Who makes the call?​

  • A. I'm the decision maker, or the decision maker has asked me to explore this.
  • B. I'd need to convince someone above me, but I think I could.
  • C. I'm not sure who would approve this or how.

4. Is there budget?​

  • A. Yes, we've set aside money for this (or would for the right solution).
  • B. There's no formal budget, but we'd find money if the ROI was clear.
  • C. Budget would be a hard conversation.

5. Have you used AI tools before?​

  • A. Yes. Our team uses ChatGPT, Claude, or other AI tools regularly.
  • B. I've tried a few things personally, but the team hasn't adopted anything.
  • C. Not really. This would be new for us.

6. Who would own this?​

  • A. I know exactly who would manage the AI-assisted workflow day to day.
  • B. Probably me, but I'm already stretched thin.
  • C. We'd need to figure that out.

Your Results​

Mostly A's: You're ready.​

You have a real problem, decision-making power, budget, and someone to own it. You don't need to be convinced that AI can help. You need to scope what to build.

Your next step: Review the Situation Map questions on your own, then schedule a 30-minute session with a practitioner or AAS advisor to walk through them together. After that, you'll be ready for the Pilot Scope.

Mostly B's: You're close.​

You have the instincts but not the foundation yet. The risk is starting a project before the groundwork is done. A little preparation now saves a lot of frustration later.

Your next step: Schedule a Situation Map session. Don't try to fill it out alone. Walking through the questions with someone who's done this before will surface gaps you didn't know you had. Reach out at appliedaisociety.org to get connected.

Mostly C's: You're early.​

That's not a bad thing. You're exploring, and that's smart. But you're not ready to scope a project yet. Jumping into an engagement now would likely frustrate both you and the practitioner.

Your next step: Start by attending an Applied AI Live event to see how practitioners actually work. Read Don't Accept Automation as the Goal to understand what good looks like. When you have a specific pain point and the willingness to invest in solving it, come back.

Maintained by the Applied AI Society.