Transformative technologies take years to develop — then they suddenly break through and change the world.
Take the internet. Development for “internetworking” began in the 1970s, but the internet didn’t go mainstream until 1991, when the World Wide Web was opened to the public. By the end of 1994, the Web had 10 million users and 10,000 servers.
Like the internet, it’s taken a while for AI to come to the attention of the general public. Despite being around since the 1950s, most forms of AI technology had generally remained unused directly by consumers — until, that is, the introduction of ChatGPT.
Launched in 2022, ChatGPT was the biggest large language model (LLM) on the market. Now on version 4, the AI-powered software can leverage massive amounts of data and inputs to generate content that mimics human-like outputs. Its speed, accuracy, and ease of use helped ChatGPT set the record for fastest-growing user base. It currently boasts more than 100 million users.
A surge in using AI at home
After witnessing the capabilities of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools, many professionals feel that AI technology is now advanced enough help them work productively. And they’re already embracing this technology at home.
According to the Intapp Tech Perceptions Survey, nearly 60% of professionals already use generative AI in their personal lives — including LLMs like ChatGPT, AI voice assistants, calendar assistants, and, most recently, Microsoft Copilot. Using AI tools helps them in various ways, including:
- Data entry (e.g., tracking and calculating monthly expenses)
- Answering queries (e.g., finding the nearest coffee shop)
- Setting reminders (e.g., setting a reminder to pick up groceries after work)
- Scheduling tasks and meetings (e.g., scheduling a dentist appointment)
- Generating ideas and content (e.g., generating a weekly meal plan)
A demand for using AI at work
Just as they help people in their personal lives, AI and automation tools can support professionals at work. Our research shows that, on average, 39% of fee earners’ work is comprised of manual tasks that could be automated.
In total, 91% of survey respondents said they wanted to use AI technology at work — with a majority of them wanting to use it for data-entry tasks, data-summarization, and document generation. Examples of how AI can support these tasks include:
- Collecting contact information and automatically updating CRMs
- Automatically creating minutes or action items from a meeting transcript
- Drafting contracts, proposals, and other documents
By leveraging the power of AI and automation, survey respondents estimate that they can save an average of 25 hours a week — a huge time savings that will help them achieve better work/life balance.
Plus, more than 60% of survey respondents believe AI technology will give them more time to focus on delivering high-quality work — helping them increase client satisfaction and make their firms more competitive.
An unparalleled advantage
Just like the internet, AI will have a transformative impact on both professionals and clients. Fee earners can work more efficiently, achieve better work/life balance, and provide better service to clients. Take advantage of today’s advanced AI capabilities to transform the way your teams work.
Read our full 2024 Tech Perceptions Survey Report to learn more about the benefits of AI and professionals’ technology expectations for their firms.