AI's Role in Transforming Compliance and Risk Management

Asana, a company known for helping businesses stay on top of their projects with its work management platform, is diving headfirst into the world of artificial intelligence (AI). They're not just using AI for themselves but are also bringing its benefits to their clients, which include a large chunk of Fortune 100 companies.

Saket Srivastava, Asana's CIO, shared insights with PYMNTS about their AI Studio. This platform lets users create smart workflows using AI agents, and it's changing the game for how work gets done across their 150,000 customers. According to Srivastava, work today is more cross-functional than ever, making traditional hierarchical management less effective. Asana's platform acts as a coordination layer, helping teams work seamlessly across different functions.

This push towards AI comes as businesses are increasingly investing in the technology and reaping the rewards. A survey of 60 U.S. CFOs from companies earning over $1 billion annually revealed that 90% saw a very positive return on investment from their generative AI tech.

The Power of Structured Data

At the core of Asana's AI capabilities is the "work graph" or "pyramid of clarity." This structured data model organizes work from the basic task level up to company-wide goals. It provides essential context for AI systems, enhancing the quality of responses and reducing errors.

Srivastava emphasized the importance of this structure in aligning strategy, execution, and company culture. It helps employees understand how their work connects to broader company objectives, creating a more cohesive and motivated workforce.

Orchestrating Workflows with AI

Asana's AI Studio is not just about chatbots or summarization. It's an orchestration platform that blends human and AI capabilities to create sophisticated business processes. For instance, financial services firm Morningstar has used Asana’s AI tools to transform its project intake process. AI now handles initial interactions, gathering necessary information without human involvement, saving the company nearly 2,000 workdays annually and cutting costs significantly.

Clear Channel, known for its billboard advertising, also implemented Asana’s AI Studio to streamline its processes, boosting productivity. Even within Asana, AI is reshaping workflows. Sales teams use AI-powered tools to generate comprehensive account summaries before client calls, condensing hours of work into just a few minutes.

Advice for Embracing AI

Despite AI's rapid advancements, Srivastava notes that we're still in the early stages. His advice to business leaders is to start experimenting with AI now rather than waiting for it to be perfect. The key is to balance human and machine capabilities, allowing AI to handle repetitive tasks while humans focus on strategy, collaboration, and communication.

For those building high-performing teams, Srivastava suggests thinking of your tools in three categories: communication (like Slack and Teams), content (such as Microsoft and Google), and coordination platforms like Asana. By integrating these tools and leveraging AI, businesses can improve accountability, clarity, and outcomes, transforming processes that were once manual or complex.

In this evolving landscape, the synergy between human creativity and AI efficiency is where the magic happens.