Efficiency and innovation are paramount in the digital landscape, forcing companies to constantly seek ways to streamline operations and maximize productivity. Making waves in this arena is Provoke Solutions, a leading digital services firm dedicated to transforming the way enterprises approach software development and product management.
During this episode of From the Ground Up, host John Boitnott sat down with Jenna Chamra, Chief Customer Officer of Provoke Solutions, to discuss the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern workplaces. They also discussed how Provoke Solutions is leveraging AI to tackle some of the most persistent challenges in software development.
Addressing the Technical Debt Challenge
Chamra, who began her career as a designer before transitioning into digital strategy and user experience, spent years grappling with a problem that plagues many enterprises: technical debt. This accumulation of outdated or inefficient code and systems often stifles innovation, making it difficult for companies to push new, cutting-edge products to market.
For ten years, Chamra has been on a mission to figure out how to ensure that the vision they have for their digital products actually gets into the hands of end users. But technical debt has remained a significant barrier.
To address this, Provoke Solutions developed KNOvva, a generative AI platform designed to alleviate the burden of technical debt. KNOvva employs “digital coworkers” to handle the mundane, tedious maintenance work required to modernize legacy systems, freeing up human developers to focus on creating new features and innovations.
Transforming Work with AI
One example of how KNOvva can create a significant impact is with things like web application frameworks. In many organizations, updating frameworks like React can consume valuable time and resources, often at the expense of developing new features. With KNOvva, these updates can be automated, allowing developers to concentrate on more strategic tasks.
“How do you tell a business owner that, actually, we need a month to upgrade React versus building your new features and functions?” Chamra asked. “Nobody wants to hear that.”
Using AI, some of the work can be done without utilizing human developers, allowing their developers and teams to actually work on the new features and functions. In the end, products can potentially be released to customers in “weeks and months instead of in months and years.”
The benefits extend beyond time savings as well. By reducing the need for human involvement in repetitive tasks, KNOvva is also enhancing the overall quality of work. Developers can dedicate more time to creative problem-solving and strategic thinking, which ultimately leads to a more fulfilling work experience.
Embracing AI’s Potential While Preparing for the Future
While the integration of AI into workplaces is often met with concerns about job displacement, Chamra emphasized that the real impact of AI will be on job transformation rather than elimination.
“Who’s going to be affected most by AI? It’s people who kind of live in or are okay with being mediocre. If you’re kind of here to clock in and clock out and are okay with pushing the same button each and every day and you don’t have any desire or passion to learn, to make sure you’re adding value to business every day and to get to the next level, yeah, this technology definitely can be a threat,” remarked Chamra.
Provoke Solutions’ approach to AI is rooted in upskilling and re-skilling. The company encourages employees to embrace AI as a tool that can enhance their capabilities rather than replace them.
In fact, Chamra believes that “the biggest threat to your team is not teaching them how to leverage the technology.” It is only then that it becomes a serious threat.
Chamra recounted a hackathon held two years ago, where developers worked alongside AI to perform their tasks. This experience not only demonstrated the potential of AI but also highlighted the importance of staying ahead of technological advancements.
“We’re not changing the way our teams work,” Chamra noted. “Our digital coworkers just join the same Azure DevOps boards as our teams do. They’re assigned tasks and they just work them.” By adding digital coworkers to their teams to handle routine tasks, it is allowing the human employees to focus on what they love.
Building the Future with AI
The key to success lies in adaptability and a growth mindset. Companies that view AI as a cost-cutting measure may see short-term gains, but those that invest in human talent and leverage AI to empower their teams will truly differentiate themselves in the marketplace.
Provoke Solutions is already seeing significant benefits from its AI integration. The company’s digital coworkers, such as their AI-powered test engineer, have dramatically increased efficiency. For example, tasks that once took days to complete, like writing test scripts, can now be done in minutes. This not only reduces costs but also allows developers to focus on creating new features that add real value to the business.
The goal is not just integrating AI into the workflow but to redefine what it means to work in the digital age. By empowering teams with AI, Provoke Solutions is setting a new standard for innovation and productivity, one that other organizations will likely follow in the years to come.
