The Dawn of Corporate GPTs in the Digital Workplace
The emergence of enterprise GPTs marks a new phase in the journey towards smarter, digital workplaces. One trend we are seeing already is the emergence of two distinct paths: specialised, domain-specific GPTs, such as those under development in professional and financial services, and general-purpose GPTs like ChatGPT, CoPilot, and Perplexity. It will be interesting to see which approach yields the best results in different work domains, or more likely, what the optimal combination of the two approaches might look like.
Specialised vs. General-Purpose GPTs
The Specialised Corporate GPTs
Bloomberg and Deloitte have pioneered the path of specialised GPTs, creating models that address the nuanced needs of specific sectors or organisations. Their models offer industry or organisation-specific insights, transforming specialised tasks relatively accurately. These specialised GPTs also have privacy advantages, as they are deployed specifically for certain organisations.
Last year, corporate attorneys (in-house lawyers) agreed that generative AI could be used in some legal work, but only if the law firms they work with can create net new value using the technology that the department could not achieve on its own.
PwC has announced a strategic alliance with a new AI startup that leverages generative AI for their legal and tax services. Such solutions could enable professionals to deliver human-led and technology-enabled legal solutions, exemplifying how specialised GPTs can augment professional services.
KPMG’s introduction of KaiChat, a chatbot based on generative AI, is tailored to meet the high data protection standards required in the business context, and seems to be placing a sensible emphasis on security.
JPMorgan’s DocLLM claims to advance multimodal document understanding. Designed for the analysis of complex enterprise documents, it distinguishes itself by focusing on the integration of textual and spatial data, without the need for expensive image encoders.
The emergence of these specialised corporate GPTs signifies a trend where businesses are not only adopting AI but also tailoring it to their specific operational and strategic needs. Some advantages of such platforms are:
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Alignment with the unique challenges and workflows of an organisation or industry.
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Ability to handle complex, nuanced, sector-specific tasks more effectively than general-purpose GPTs.
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Design with inherent privacy and security features, making them more suitable for handling sensitive data.
General-Purpose GPTs in the Digital Workplace
The evolving digital workspace is also being shaped by the integration of general-purpose GPTs, such as OpenAI’s Enterprise ChatGPT, Microsoft’s CoPilot or Perplexity Pro. These platforms, in contrast to specialised GPTs, offer a wide array of applications across different industries. Their versatility is becoming a new key capability in various sectors, ranging from government to business environments.
A notable example is the state of Pennsylvania’s pilot program with OpenAI, which integrates ChatGPT Enterprise for administrative tasks. This initiative is a testament to the utility of general-purpose GPTs in streamlining government operations, enhancing policy formulation, and improving citizen services.
In the business realm, Microsoft’s integration of Copilot into its Microsoft 365 suite exemplifies how these AI tools are revolutionising everyday business processes. Copilot is designed to aid in creating documents, analysing data, and simplifying routine tasks, showcasing the extensive potential of general-purpose GPTs in the corporate sector.
Advantages of General-Purpose GPTs include:
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Ability to adapt across various industries makes these platforms incredibly versatile and widely applicable.
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Streamline routine tasks and complex processes, leading to significant improvements in productivity and operational efficiency.
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Customisation options, allowing organisations to tailor these tools to their specific needs.
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User-friendly interfaces of these GPTs ensure accessibility for a broad spectrum of users, irrespective of their technical expertise.
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Cost-Effective, for organisations aiming to implement AI solutions, general-purpose GPTs present a cost-effective option compared to more specialised tools.
While the benefits are substantial, the adoption of general-purpose GPTs also requires careful consideration of challenges such as data privacy, security, and the potential for errors. Ensuring ethical and responsible use of these AI tools is paramount for organisations integrating them into their workflows.
Choosing the Right GPT
Deciding where to use specialised and general-purpose GPTs is a critical step in an organisation’s digital transformation journey. This choice hinges on several key factors, including the organisation’s size, industry, and specific needs.
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Specialised GPTs: These are ideal for sectors with specific requirements and high data sensitivity, like legal, financial, and healthcare industries. They offer customised functionalities and enhanced privacy, catering to the complex, sector-specific demands of these fields.
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General-Purpose GPTs: More suitable for organisations valuing versatility, such as SMEs, startups, and government agencies. They provide broad applicability and are a cost-effective choice for diverse but general tasks, especially where resources for tailored AI solutions are limited.
Considerations:
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Task Nature: Assess if tasks require general AI assistance or deep, domain-specific knowledge.
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Data Privacy and Security: Important for sectors dealing with sensitive information.
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Budget: General-purpose GPTs may be more budget-friendly.
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Scalability and Adaptability: Consider the organisation’s growth and the need for scalable AI solutions.
Impact of Corporate GPTs on Organisational Dynamics
The introduction of Corporate GPTs brings transformative changes to various aspects of organisational functioning. This shift is not merely technological but extends to leadership, structure, processes, and talent management, as we have written about previously.
Empowering Talent and Leadership
As noted by Cerys Hearsey in “Accelerating Towards a Future-Fit HR“, the integration of AI in workplaces necessitates an evolution of HR roles. It’s no longer just about administrative functions; HR must now play a strategic role in nurturing talent to effectively use these AI tools. This requires fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability, essential in an AI-driven workplace.
Redefining Organisational Structures
GPTs also require a re-envisioning of traditional organisational structures, as discussed by Lee Bryant. These technologies encourage more agile, collaborative structures, blending human intuition with AI’s data-driven insights. This shift can lead to flatter hierarchies and cross-functional teams, with a focus on innovation and flexibility.
Ethical Governance in AI Integration
Leaders play a crucial role in the ethical adoption of AI. They must ensure that AI tools, while enhancing efficiency, are aligned with the organisation’s ethical standards and societal norms. This responsibility involves creating a transparent environment where AI’s benefits are balanced with ethical considerations.
Embracing the Corporate GPTs
The dawn of Corporate GPTs marks a significant shift, not just in operational efficiency but in fundamentally reshaping organisational structures. As businesses choose between specialised and general-purpose GPTs, they must also rethink their organisational frameworks to accommodate these powerful tools. This integration requires a strategic approach, balancing the unique advantages of GPTs with the need for dynamic, ethical, and human-centric workplace environments.
Embracing this era of Corporate GPTs, therefore, means more than adopting new technology; it involves redefining the very nature of work, fostering a synergy between AI capabilities and human creativity. This transformative journey will set the foundation for innovative, adaptable, and future-fit organisations.