Look for repetition, not novelty
The best first automation is rarely the flashiest one. It’s a repeatable task with clear inputs and outputs: moving a new enquiry into the right place, reminding someone about a next step, or preparing information for review.
Decide what needs human judgment
Some moments depend on context, nuance, or trust. A person may need to review a sensitive reply, approve a public claim, or decide how to handle an unusual customer situation.
Design the workflow so exceptions reach someone, and make it clear when AI contributed.
Automation should support the people responsible for the outcome, not obscure responsibility.
Start small and keep checking
Try the workflow on a narrow, low-risk task. Check what it gets wrong, what it saves, and whether anyone now has a harder job because of it.
Keep a human fallback and revisit the process as the business changes. A useful system is one the team can understand, correct, and confidently own.