Over the past year, I’ve started using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in several areas of our day-to-day operations at LKL Associates. Like many companies, we’re always looking for ways to work more efficiently, reduce repetitive tasks, and spend more time focusing on the things that actually move the business forward. AI has helped us do exactly that.

One of the biggest benefits has been saving time. There are a lot of tasks in accounts receivable, collections, and lien management that involve reviewing information, drafting emails, creating documents, and researching requirements. Many of these tasks used to require significant manual effort. With AI, I can often complete them in a fraction of the time while still reviewing everything for accuracy before it goes out.

AI has also become a valuable tool when drafting communications. Whether it’s collection emails, customer correspondence, contract language, or internal reports, AI helps create a strong starting point that can be customized to fit the situation. Instead of staring at a blank page, I can focus on refining the message and making sure it meets our needs.

Another area where AI has helped is research. Construction laws, lien requirements, and state-specific regulations can vary significantly. AI allows me to quickly gather information, identify relevant topics, and better understand issues before making decisions. While it’s important to verify information and not rely on AI alone, it has become a useful tool for speeding up the research process.

AI has also helped generate ideas for improving workflows and solving business problems. Sometimes having a tool that can quickly analyze a process or suggest alternatives helps identify opportunities that might otherwise be overlooked. In many ways, AI functions like a digital assistant that is available whenever needed.

What I’ve found most interesting is that AI hasn’t replaced anyone’s job. Instead, it helps eliminate some of the repetitive work that takes time away from higher-value activities. It allows employees to focus more on customer service, relationship building, problem solving, and other tasks that require human judgment and experience.

At the end of the day, AI is just another tool. Like any tool, its value depends on how it’s used. For LKL Associates, it has helped improve efficiency, streamline workflows, and free up time to focus on serving our customers. As the technology continues to improve, I expect AI will become an even more important part of how businesses operate in the future.