Artificial intelligence is more than a buzzword. For many companies, it’s becoming a strategic priority—and a potential source of confusion. From content creation to cybersecurity, AI tools are popping up in every corner of the business world.

At Katalyst, we wanted to dig into the real-world business use of AI and answer the question everyone is asking: What’s actually possible today—and what’s just hype? In a recent podcast conversation with our VP of Technology and Services, Michael Ray, we talked through the truth about AI and what it means for organizations right now.

Here’s a breakdown of the insights that matter.

AI Is Not Taking Over—but It Is Changing How We Work

The fear that AI will eliminate jobs overnight is largely overblown. Today’s artificial intelligence tools are still limited to narrow use cases, like generating content, recognizing patterns, or summarizing data. These tools are powerful, but they’re far from replacing entire roles.

What has changed is accessibility. Platforms like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Jasper are putting AI into the hands of employees in sales, marketing, IT, and operations. That’s where the impact is happening—and it’s accelerating fast.

Where Businesses Should Start With AI

If you’re trying to find the best business use of AI for your organization, start with small, high-friction areas. Look for tasks that are:

• Repetitive

• Time-consuming

• Data-driven

Here are a few high-impact areas where AI is making a difference:

• Internal knowledge sharing: AI can index and summarize documentation to help employees find answers faster.

• Automated workflows: From ticket routing to report generation, AI is helping IT and operations teams streamline everyday tasks.

• Cybersecurity monitoring: Some platforms now use AI models to detect anomalies and potential threats faster than traditional tools.

For mid-sized companies, these practical applications are where real ROI lives.

Don’t Overlook AI Security and Privacy Risks

With great power comes great responsibility—especially when it comes to data. Tools like ChatGPT or other large language models often store or analyze input, which means you could be exposing sensitive information without realizing it.

Businesses should:

• Set clear AI usage policies

• Avoid inputting proprietary or personal data into public AI tools

• Evaluate enterprise-grade AI platforms with built-in data controls

Especially in regulated industries, responsible AI risk management needs to be part of the conversation from day one.

AI Isn’t Replacing People. It’s Helping Them Do More.

One of the most important takeaways from our conversation with Michael Ray was the idea of augmentation. The best business use of AI doesn’t eliminate people—it amplifies them.

For example:

• A salesperson might use AI to draft outreach emails but still personalize and refine the message

• A cybersecurity analyst can use AI to flag suspicious activity, but still reviews it manually

• A marketing team can generate initial blog outlines, but still brings in brand tone and strategy

This collaborative approach leads to better results, faster work, and more empowered teams.

Final Thoughts: Get Intentional With AI

Artificial intelligence is here to stay—but that doesn’t mean it’s time to throw out your playbook. Like any other tool, it requires strategy, structure, and supervision. Businesses that take the time to understand where AI fits will gain efficiency without sacrificing control.

Want to hear more?
We covered all of this in more detail on our podcast episode with Michael Ray:
🎧 Listen to The Truth About AI: It’s Not Taking Over