Imagine a world where AI isn’t just a tool, but a core part of how we do business. In 2024, we’re not imagining it; we’re living it.

Last year, two major trends shaped the AI landscape. From a technology standpoint, AI agents took center stage, with companies racing to leverage their capabilities. Meanwhile, on the business front, we moved from +AI to AI+, where AI is no longer an add-on but the driving force behind innovation. These trends challenge organizations in 2024. So, the key question is: How can we get AI Ready for this rapidly evolving world?

The Rise of AI Agents

Bill Gates captured it well in his November blog: “AI agents will be the next arena after the large language model, completely changing how we interact with computers within five years.”

Indeed, 2023 was the explosive year of Large Language Models (LLMs). In 2024, we’re seeing large-scale implementation and democratization of these models, powered by autonomous AI agents.

Notably, this surge in AI agents marks the dawn of the Age of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). AI is no longer just a consumer trend—it’s now essential for B2B innovation. LLM-focused companies are refining models and boosting computing power. At the same time, AI application companies are searching for real-world scenarios to implement AI-native solutions.

Crucially, AI agents promise to be the next breakthrough. We’ve said before that LLM agents unlock real-world applications, and they achieve this through three key capabilities: planning, memory, and tool use. These features enable AI agents to tackle complex challenges, learn independently, and make decisions on their own. As a result, they pave the way for groundbreaking LLM applications and services.

Transition from +AI TO AI+

The +AI era represented the early days of AI adoption. In this phase, AI boosted existing systems without fundamentally changing them. It was about adding AI to enhance traditional processes.

For instance, we saw AI-enhanced voice recognition, face recognition, and translation tools. When Microsoft launched its M365 Copilot, we witnessed the emergence of AI Co-pilots. Many B2B tech companies have already adopted these solutions to improve productivity. Looking ahead, Co-pilots could soon outnumber traditional chatbots.

However, the AI+ era signals a bigger shift. Here, AI isn’t just a support tool; it’s the engine of how we work, innovate, and grow. This shift fundamentally reimagines how we get things done. Consequently, companies must choose: lead their industries or get left behind.

Consider the advertising sector. Today, everything from creative ideas to production can be automated by AI. In healthcare, patients now consult AI agents throughout their medical journeys. In the future, AI will become the foundation of how businesses operate.

As more technology companies embrace AI agents, they must ask themselves one key question before choosing an AI-native solution: Are We AI Ready?

Getting AI Ready for an AI Native Era

Gabriela Vogel, Sr Director Analyst at Gartner, says, “By 2025, GenAI will be a workforce partner for 90% of companies worldwide.” Yet many businesses lack clear AI principles or a vision. In a June 2023 Gartner survey of 606 CIOs, only 9% said they had an AI vision statement. Over a third had no plans to create one.

To get AI Ready, we suggest four key steps:

Make data AI-ready

Data fuels LLMs. Good data makes AI accurate and valuable. Gartner says data must be secure, enriched, fair, and accurate. That means data should be clean, organized, and easy to use. A solid AI strategy starts with good data. Your data strategy shapes how ready your AI strategy is. Often, the most valuable data is in your hands—your own professional data. It’s these “secret recipes” that help train and fine-tune LLMs for real value.

Strengthen AI Security

AI systems often handle sensitive data and make critical decisions. Strong security protects against cyber threats and ensures ethical data use. CIOs should work with leaders to set policies for using public generative AI tools.

Partner with a Trusted LLM Provider

Not every company can train and fine-tune LLMs on their own. A reliable AI partner offers advanced solutions and guidance. This partnership speeds up AI adoption and transformation.

Build an AI-ready team

AI changes how we work. Your team must know how to use AI and understand its limits. This involves training staff and hiring AI-skilled talent—like prompt engineers and LLM business partners. Demand for these skills is growing fast. AWS, for instance, plans to train 2 million people in AI by 2025. Many others are following suit.

How WIZ.AI Helps Companies Get AI Ready

Banking, insurance, and healthcare companies are already moving ahead. They’re turning to trusted AI solution providers. As a leading Generative AI company in Southeast Asia, WIZ.AI guides organizations through this transformation.

Our WIZ platform powers customer interactions and employee experiences. It features human-like AI agents, smooth human-bot teamwork, and enterprise-ready AI applications. We back it all up with enterprise-grade security.

The AI-native era isn’t coming—it’s here. Let’s get AI-ready together. Ready to start? Talk to our experts at WIZ.AI today!