On the 37th episode of Enterprise Software Innovators, hosts Evan Reiser (Abnormal Security) and Saam Motamedi (Greylock Partners) talk with Saket Srivastava, CIO of Asana. Asana is a leader in project management platforms, allowing teams to stay organized, communicate effectively, and achieve their project goals efficiently. Asana has more than 130,000 customers in over 200 countries across the globe. In this conversation, Saket reflects on the dynamic role of AI in business, strategic considerations informing technology adoption, and how enterprises can best embrace the digital frontier.

In the world of modern business, AI stands as a transformative force, ready to reshape the fabric of how companies operate and compete. At Asana, Saket spearheads efforts to harness the technology, enhancing a platform that empowers teams across 200 countries to achieve their project goals with unprecedented efficiency. From optimizing team productivity to providing strategic recommendations for company goals, Asana's use of AI transcends mere task automation. "We think of Asana as an air traffic controller, which goes beyond personal productivity. Now, when an organization's work is being managed on Asana, this is where Asana is now able to leverage generative AI and recommend to you what your SMART goals are for the company. Or we can do SMART planning for you and help you with your resource plan." These advancements highlight the platform's unique approach to maintaining the integrity of work in an enterprise business.

When integrating new technologies, particularly AI, enterprises face myriad considerations. The allure of cutting-edge innovations must be balanced with thoughtful analysis to ensure alignment with business goals, operational capacities, and long-term vision. Saket's approach at Asana exemplifies this balance, as he articulates the importance of navigating the AI hype cycle with discernment. "We as a company started with some principles around gen AI. We believe that AI is in the service of humans. So accountability should still sit with the human. AI will do the work, but at the end of the day, humans should take accountability and make decisions based on that. AI can be that sort of muscle, and humans can be that brain and heart. "As enterprises continue to explore the multifaceted applications of AI, the key to maximizing its benefits lies in strategically integrating these technologies to amplify human potential and drive forward business objectives.

While businesses embark on digital transformation journeys, the path is primed with challenges and opportunities. Saket believes in the future: he articulates the possibility of AI but challenges leaders to understand the impact of the changes they wish to make. "It's very important that as leaders, we are not fully consumed with our initiatives and priorities that we've signed up to deliver for our business teams. It's very important to go deliver them, but it's important that you have the right team and the right priorities, scope, and understanding of how those would get delivered and when." This proactive embrace of the technology entails leveraging AI to optimize not just internal operations but virtually rethinking how work is done, how teams function, and how business output can become seamlessly woven with work-life balance. Saket envisions AI as the technology that enables more meaningful, efficient, and fulfilling work environments.

The intersection of AI, strategic innovation, and the human element in technology adoption paints a compelling picture of the future. Saket's insights from his journey with Asana reveal the transformative potential of AI in redefining project management and operational efficiency and indicate a broader vision for technology's role in our lives. Saket reinforces the idea that the future of technology in business is intrinsically linked to its ability to humanize the digital experience, making work more efficient and impactful. As organizations look to navigate the complexities of digital transformation, the perspectives shared by Saket offer a pragmatic guide to harnessing the potential of AI and ensuring that technology adoption remains aligned with the human values at the core of every successful enterprise.

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Listen to Saket's episode here and read the transcript here.