A few years back, during the Christmas holidays, Andreas Hauge Standal began experimenting with AI tools. It wasn’t part of a grand strategy; he was simply curious. After nearly seven years at Netcompany, working across different projects, he had seen technological trends come and go. But with AI, it felt different.
»I opened one of the new AI coding tools and realised this wasn’t just a smarter chat,« he explains. »This could fundamentally change how we work.«
What started as experimentation quickly evolved into responsibility. Today, Andreas is Head of AI at Netcompany in Norway, working closely with clients and colleagues to turn AI conversations into concrete results. Here are his five key learnings from working hands-on with AI.
1.
AI won’t wait. Neither should we.
AI matters now. The technology is already strong enough to change how we develop and deliver solutions, and it’s improving fast.
The train has left the station, and it’s up to us to get on board or risk being left behind. I believe the right move is to start experimenting. Those who postpone it may find that the gap grows faster than expected. The key is to recognise where the technology stands today and choose to engage with it rather than observe it from a distance.
AI won’t wait. Neither should we.
AI matters now. The technology is already strong enough to change how we develop and deliver solutions, and it’s improving fast.
The train has left the station, and it’s up to us to get on board or risk being left behind. I believe the right move is to start experimenting. Those who postpone it may find that the gap grows faster than expected. The key is to recognise where the technology stands today and choose to engage with it rather than observe it from a distance.
2.
It belongs in the delivery line
The real shift happens when AI moves from being something you ask questions to something that actively produces value in your workflow: prototypes, code, testing, and iteration. For me, the turning point came when I realised AI tools could move directly into the core of product development. AI delivers real value when it becomes part of the core development process from ideation to testing.
When integrated properly, it changes how solutions are built, validated, and delivered.
It belongs in the delivery line
The real shift happens when AI moves from being something you ask questions to something that actively produces value in your workflow: prototypes, code, testing, and iteration. For me, the turning point came when I realised AI tools could move directly into the core of product development. AI delivers real value when it becomes part of the core development process from ideation to testing.
When integrated properly, it changes how solutions are built, validated, and delivered.
3.
If you tried AI once,
try it again
I think many people believe AI is overrated because of all the hype. I have spoken to people who tried AI tools a year or two ago and didn’t get the results they expected. As a result, they underestimate what the technology is actually capable of. The challenge is that AI evolves incredibly fast. Something that didn’t work six months ago can suddenly work well today.
AI needs to be revisited regularly because it evolves quickly. If you only try it once, you’ll miss how much it improves and how much more useful it becomes over time.
If you tried AI once,
try it again
I think many people believe AI is overrated because of all the hype. I have spoken to people who tried AI tools a year or two ago and didn’t get the results they expected. As a result, they underestimate what the technology is actually capable of. The challenge is that AI evolves incredibly fast. Something that didn’t work six months ago can suddenly work well today.
AI needs to be revisited regularly because it evolves quickly. If you only try it once, you’ll miss how much it improves and how much more useful it becomes over time.
4.
AI does not remove responsibility.
It redefines how work is done.
AI may accelerate production, but it does not remove the need for direction. We as humans must set the vision, define the problem, and continuously adjust course. As generating code becomes easier, the real differentiator shifts to product sense and the ability to decide what not to build. In that sense, strategic thinking and judgment become more important, not less.
AI does not remove responsibility.
It redefines how work is done.
AI may accelerate production, but it does not remove the need for direction. We as humans must set the vision, define the problem, and continuously adjust course. As generating code becomes easier, the real differentiator shifts to product sense and the ability to decide what not to build. In that sense, strategic thinking and judgment become more important, not less.
5.
Apply AI to what you already do
The most effective way to dive into AI is to begin inside your own area of expertise. Start by using it to improve something you already know how to do. If you’re a developer, download an AI coding tool and build a small feature or side project. Let the tool generate code, test it, adjust it, and see how it changes your workflow.
If you are a designer, use AI-powered design tools to create a prototype. Iterate quickly and compare the speed and quality to your usual process. If you work in business development or sales, use AI to draft concepts, simulate solutions, or create early visualisations for customer dialogue.
Build something that runs, can be tested, and can be shown to others.
Apply AI to what you already do
The most effective way to dive into AI is to begin inside your own area of expertise. Start by using it to improve something you already know how to do. If you’re a developer, download an AI coding tool and build a small feature or side project. Let the tool generate code, test it, adjust it, and see how it changes your workflow.
If you are a designer, use AI-powered design tools to create a prototype. Iterate quickly and compare the speed and quality to your usual process. If you work in business development or sales, use AI to draft concepts, simulate solutions, or create early visualisations for customer dialogue.
Build something that runs, can be tested, and can be shown to others.
