Exploring the Role of AI in Automating Workflows and Processes by Chris Clinard

Chris Clinard, Manager of Emerging Technologies at Samet Corporation, gives us an overview of how AI simplifies work processes across industries, focusing on the construction industry. He says scaling companies should invest in AI-assisted search and AI chatbots to make it easier for both internal and external users to find information quickly. He advises companies against adopting technology blindly, urging them to closely examine their workflows and implement solutions that truly address their challenges.

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About Chris

• Chris’s LinkedIn
• Chris has worked in information technology for about 20 years and has even managed his own service-providing company. During his years of consulting, he worked across multiple industries, including legal, finance, healthcare, car racing, manufacturing, and industrial sectors.
• His expertise lies in providing industry-specific solutions. He recently joined Samet Corporation to explore new ways of optimizing workflows and processes through technology.

Key Takeaways

According to Chris:

• Companies should invest in AI-assisted search for their internal knowledge base to ensure employees can quickly find answers to questions about processes or systems. This saves time on training and reduces disruptions to other employees’ work.
• Implementing an AI-powered chatbot to handle external queries is more efficient and faster than relying on email. A well-trained chatbot can efficiently answer questions about the company and direct users to the appropriate point of contact.
• Using Large Language Models to clean and standardize documentation helps democratize the process, allowing anyone to contribute to the knowledge base.
• Ensure all articles in your knowledge base or documentation include context. Without proper context, AI may struggle to retrieve relevant information. The same applies to data—structured, well-contextualized data enables AI to generate meaningful insights.
• Businesses should focus on understanding their internal processes before adopting AI or automation. Technology should fit actual needs rather than forcing workflows to adapt to available tools. A problem-first approach—analyzing workflows and identifying inefficiencies—helps companies make smarter, more effective tech decisions.

Rapid Fire with Chris Clinard

• Highly recommended resource: 
  Claude from Anthropic for technical writing and Floik for screen recording and on-the-fly documentation creation.

• One word that comes to mind when you hear “documentation”?
  Incomplete

• A piece of advice you would give your 20-year-old self? 
  Be curious, ask questions, and never stop learning.

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