Alessio Alionço is the founder and CEO of Pipefy, a global leader in AI-driven low code business process automation solutions.
AI is more than just a technology. It’s a strategic business partner that empowers your organization to move faster, operate smarter and make better decisions with unprecedented efficiency. And the AI “future” is already here. A survey of 1,800 executives conducted by consulting firm BCG in January 2025 revealed that three-quarters (75%) of executives consider AI to be a top-three strategic priority for the current year.
The question for CEOs is no longer if they should invest in AI—but where to begin.
So, how should business leaders prioritize AI investments today? The key is choosing the right processes to begin with.
Start by following the friction.
Think of the processes that are most often a thorn in your side. They’re the ones with long backlogs that slow teams down. They are the areas where manual reviews are time-consuming, cumbersome and often error-prone. Look for processes characterized by repetitive tasks, high volumes and manual handoffs—these are all fertile ground for AI.
Follow these three steps to strategic ROI.
Here’s how to identify where to begin unlocking AI’s potential:
1. Find the processes governed by clear business rules and defined outcomes.
A great example of this is in HR, with high-volume, rule-based tasks such as identifying turnover patterns or time-off requests. In the insurance industry, claims processing and fraud detection are excellent candidates for AI investment. In these and similar scenarios, implementing AI can result in efficiency gains and a more consistent customer or employee experience almost immediately.
2. Pinpoint the bottlenecks.
Identify the top three to five processes that are the most time-intensive or error-prone or that require frequent handoffs. Map them in detail to locate points of inefficiency.
Think of approval backlogs in loan and credit applications in finance—what used to take days now can take minutes, with no manual effort, resulting in a much smoother experience for everyone involved. One of our company’s financial institution clients implemented a single invoice-reading AI agent and cut down what was previously a 20-day process to just three days. And that’s just the beginning.
3. Target where real-time visibility would be a game-changer.
AI isn’t just about doing—it’s about knowing. One of the greatest benefits of AI is its ability to turn large amounts of raw data into actionable insights, delivered at the right time. Instead of digging through spreadsheets or waiting on reports that lag behind business operations, AI can provide leaders with real-time visibility, including context, alerts and recommended actions.
It connects the dots between data, processes and people, enabling faster and more confident decision making. AI can provide senior leaders with structured, reliable data that fuels better forecasting, real-time alerts and predictive insights. In short, AI can transform your operations from reactive to proactive.
Start small, test quickly and scale fast.
The most successful AI investments begin with manageable pilots to find out what works (and what doesn’t) quickly and then scaling your successes. This agile approach minimizes risk while building organizational confidence, support and momentum.
For example, here at Pipefy, we helped Accenture deploy 450-plus AI agents across internal and client-facing workflows. This partnership allowed Accenture to increase productivity by 60% for the processes that rely on AI agents. A full 70% of these AI agents were then repurposed and reused across other projects, driving exponential value. But the journey started small—with clearly defined use cases and fast feedback loops.
AI investment must be a priority now.
If you’re waiting for a “perfect” time to invest in AI, you’re already behind. According to McKinsey, 55% of organizations reported adopting AI in at least one function in 2023, up from 50% the previous year.
I’ve seen firsthand how this technology can eliminate operational friction and accelerate execution. The companies winning with AI aren’t waiting—they’re acting. Yet jumping on the AI bandwagon without clear alignment to business priorities will only lead to wasted resources and unmet expectations.
For your organization to make the most powerful impact with AI, invest strategically, pilot intentionally and scale intelligently. By targeting high-friction areas and deploying AI with precision, business leaders can drive operational efficiency, boost profitability and build resilient, future-ready organizations.
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