digitalswitzerland launches AI playbook for SMEs
The hype surrounding artificial intelligence is increasingly giving way to questions about its practical adoption. To support Swiss SMEs in turning their initial AI experiments into successful business cases, digitalswitzerland and Implement Consulting Group are publishing a practical handbook on AI adoption as part of an AI Flagship Event in Zurich.
The AI handbook published by digitalswitzerland and Implement Group is aimed specifically at managers in Swiss companies, particularly SMEs, with the aim of successfully putting AI theory into practice. At the same time, the handbook is an essential tool for Switzerland's AI Action Plan.
The AI handbook is available for download here:
https://implementconsultinggroup.com/article/das-schweizer-ki-handbuch
Switzerland is committed to the responsible and innovative use of AI. At the same time, however, it is also clear that, in international comparison, Switzerland still has some catching up to do in terms of AI adoption compared to countries with comparable GDP. The newly launched handbook aims to ensure that the Swiss economy not only talks about AI, but also applies it safely and pragmatically in everyday working life.
"Artificial intelligence is noticeably changing our economy. However, it is not the theoretical potential that is decisive, but rather its concrete application in everyday business life. This is precisely where the new AI handbook comes in: it helps Swiss companies to consistently use AI where it creates real added value," says Andreas Meyer, President of the umbrella organisation digitalswitzerland.
Based on the reality of Swiss companies
The AI handbook was developed by digitalswitzerland in close collaboration with Implement Consulting and with a clear hands-on approach. It addresses the biggest hurdle in current AI development: the leap from isolated pilot projects to company-wide scaling.Frank Dannacher from the Data & AI team at Implement Consulting says: "The AI handbook was developed specifically for executives and is based on the real-life experiences of Swiss companies in introducing generative AI. Although the digital maturity of companies varies greatly, they often go through similar processes during implementation and face similar challenges."
Practical tools: checklists, prioritisation matrix and task plans
The handbook offers concrete assistance in transforming pilot projects into economically viable use cases. Rather than sticking to theory, it provides directly applicable tools: step-by-step instructions, prioritisation matrices and checklists for key phases of AI transformation.
The handbook focuses on four success factors:
Use cases: How companies identify and scale the right use cases to create real added value – with examples from Swisscom and Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH, among others.
AI governance: How to build a sustainable, responsible AI infrastructure.
The human factor: How targeted training empowers employees and successfully guides them through change.
Leadership: How managers with the right mindset and clear KPIs accelerate AI transformation.