Author: Michael Rumpf

1 Initial situation: The growing importance of AI in companies

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a topic for the future – it has arrived in the here and now. Companies around the world are turning to AI to optimize processes, reduce costs and gain a competitive edge. However, not all uses of AI lead to the same added value. While some companies simply use ready-made AI tools, others invest in their own AI models to achieve innovation and differentiation.

But how can AI value creation be strategically classified in a company? The AI value creation pyramid, which describes five stages of AI integration – from simple use to developing your own algorithms – can help here.

2 New insights: The five stages of AI value creation

The depth of AI value creation can be divided into five stages:

1. AI tools (lowest added value): Use of external tools, e.g. ChatGPT, DALL-E or Google AI.
2. AI interfaces: Integration of AI tools into your own processes via APIs and plugins.
3. AI services: Individual applications, e.g. chatbots, automation or data analysis.
4. Proprietary AI: Development of proprietary AI models based on the company’s own data.
5. Own AI algorithms (highest added value): Complete control through self-developed AI methods.

The lower a company progresses in this pyramid, the more added value and differentiation it can achieve – but the more challenges it faces in terms of data, specialists and costs.

3. implementation of AI services as the key to increasing efficiency

Level 3 in particular : AI services offer many companies the opportunity not only to use AI, but also to actively integrate it into processes. This level is characterized by high cost-benefit efficiency: Companies benefit from automation and data analysis without having to bear the high development costs of proprietary AI models. In addition, the implementation hurdles are lower, as many solutions are already available as scalable services. Examples include

• Chatbots & virtual assistants to automate customer service.
• AI-supported automation of invoice processing or email management.
• Data analysis & decision support to predict market trends.
• Personalization of product recommendations and marketing campaigns.

The advantage of this stage is that companies can already achieve high efficiency gains without having to develop their own AI models from scratch.

AI agents: The bridge to higher added value

Between levels 3 and 4, AI agents – autonomous systems that perform complex tasks independently and combine various AI functions – are becoming increasingly established.

Example: AI-supported process automation

AI agents are revolutionizing business processes through end-to-end automation. An order process agent can:

• Recognize and extract orders in emails
• Communicate with customers and obtain missing details
• Answer status requests automatically
• Match invoices with purchase orders
• Initiate approval procedures and prepare payments

The result: minimal manual effort, faster processing and fewer errors. Unlike conventional automation, agents can process unstructured communication and make context-related decisions.

Advantages for companies:

• Combination of several AI tools into an integrated system
• Training with company-specific data
• Higher added value than simple AI services
• Less effort than proprietary AI development

For many companies, AI agents offer the ideal next step – with significantly higher added value, but without the complexity of completely in-house developments.

4. result: More added value through targeted use of AI

Companies that actively engage with the AI value creation pyramid can make a targeted decision on which level they want to position themselves.

• If you want to get started quickly, use AI tools (level 1 & 2).
• Those who want to differentiate develop their own AI services (level 3).
• If you want to automate across processes, you can rely on AI agents (level 3.5).
• If you want to achieve maximum values, invest in proprietary or own algorithms (level 4 & 5).

A smart strategy is to gradually move from lower to higher levels to ensure scalability and sustainability.

5. summary

The AI value creation pyramid helps companies to align their AI strategy in a targeted manner. While simple tools offer a quick start, the long-term added value lies in customized AI services, autonomous agents or even in-house AI algorithms. The key is to develop an AI strategy that matches the company’s vision.

6. call to action: How can your company make the most of AI?

Is your company still in the early stages of using AI, or are you looking for ways to increase your added value? Now is the ideal time to analyze your own position and define the next steps.

Let’s find out together how AI can take your business to the next level! These tasks can also be solved as part of an AI compliance check

Get in touch for a non-binding consultation(info@krm.swiss), or leave a comment with your experience of AI integration!