According to the Small Business & Entrepreneurship (SBE) Council’s 2023 Small Business AI Adoption Survey, small businesses use an average of four artificial intelligence-powered tools across roughly 20 different areas of operations.
To get the most out of these AI tools, businesses must establish clear processes for their human staff to “collaborate” with AI — also known as human-AI teaming.
What is human-AI teaming and why does it matter?
Human-AI teaming occurs when humans and AI combine their strengths and synergistically work together to accomplish shared objectives, according to Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence. For human-AI teaming to be successful, small businesses need to define how and when AI usage is acceptable.
“A well-defined collaboration process that reinforces the notion that employees should continue to use their own insights and intelligence while working in conjunction with AI tools will work to create a balance that maximizes value and innovation,” said Dag Peak, Chief Product Officer at Alianza.
Peak added that, without a structured approach, you risk overreliance on AI, which could lead to a “gradual degradation in employees’ own skills and critical thinking abilities.”
[Read more: How Small Businesses Are Using AI as a Growth Engine]
Best practices for human-AI collaboration as a small business
Here’s how to ensure human-AI teaming efforts are successful.
Identify where AI will add the most value
When applied strategically, AI can act as another team member, complementing your team and filling in gaps where you lack expertise.
“Start by identifying your team's core strengths and where they add the most value,” Peak said. “Then, look at specific gaps where AI can help streamline tasks or provide insights that amplify your expertise.”
Create a shared space for AI collaboration
Give your human team members a shared place to collaborate with AI tools, whether through a centralized workspace or integrated AI tools.
“Projects can be synced in the workspace, making them easily accessible for everyone to edit and collaborate,” said Michael Jung, Chief Financial Officer of DeepBrain AI. “Feedback and comments can be shared easily across platforms for streamlined collaboration between teammates.”
Rather than using AI for the sake of doing so, only adopt tools that align with your business’s goals and workflow.
Be flexible, creative, and curious in your approach to AI
Nikki Innocent, a women’s leadership coach and DEI strategist, emphasized the importance of approaching human-AI teaming with curiosity and openness, rather than an “all or nothing” mindset.
“Avoid punitive mandates as you enter the exploration phase of how this new tech will impact your business and influence the role of the worker,” Innocent said. “Replace fear with opportunity — shifting from rigid certainty to intentional, expansive curiosity.”
Build a human review process for all AI-generated materials
Despite AI’s capabilities, you should still have a human team member review its output for accuracy before finalization.
“A script or presentation will need to be checked by a human to ensure the correct spelling and grammar is used,” Jung explained. “When typos occur in templates or scripts, the AI-driven generator may not catch the mistake.”
Prioritize purposeful usage and training
Rather than using AI for the sake of doing so, only adopt tools that align with your business’s goals and workflow. Peak advised prioritizing training on these tools so your team “feels empowered and knowledgeable about how to collaborate effectively with AI tools.”
Lead by example and celebrate your AI successes and failures
Innocent suggests small businesses demonstrate how AI can be integrated into their processes in ways that align with their values and productivity.
“Create a brag ritual where [team members] celebrate the ways and times they tried to implement AI in their work and how it went,” Innocent said. “Celebrate the successes and failures equally because it’s all valuable data.”
[Read more: How Google Is Expanding Its AI Tools to Help Small Businesses Connect With More Customers]
Real examples of human-AI teaming
Here are a few ways businesses are currently collaborating with AI for improved results:
- Content summarization and transcription: AI can help employees make sense of vast amounts of data and content, whether that’s by taking minutes during meetings, transcribing a podcast episode, or summarizing an extensive research report. According to Innocent, this can uncover key insights and help teams tailor messaging to effectively reach their audience.
- Video and voice synthesis: Businesses can streamline the video or presentation creation process with human-AI teaming by providing text and proofing, while AI handles its generation, according to Jung.
- AI-powered customer service and communications: Routine phone-based customer communications can be automated with AI-powered systems, providing 24/7 support. For example, AI can handle inquiries like scheduling appointments or checking inventory, while human experts ensure they deliver meaningful insights, said Peak.
- Content editing: Human-AI teaming can improve the quality and accuracy of your communications by using AI to edit human-created content and ensure materials are accurate, polished, and free of grammatical errors.
- Financial monitoring: AI can help maintain your business’s financial health by automatically scanning transactions, identifying irregularities, and ensuring compliance. In collaboration, humans can review AI-generated insights for informed decision-making.
With human-AI teaming, small businesses can combine their team’s strengths with AI’s capabilities to unlock the greatest possible growth potential.
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here.
