# Drive Long-Term Growth with AI: 3 Takeaways for Ops Leaders > The Work Innovation Lab dives into how operations leaders can leverage AI to drive innovation, spearhead sustainable growth, and support high-impact work. Source: https://asana.com/resources/operations-growth-ai ## Drive long-term growth with AI: 3 takeaways for ops leaders In today’s complex work landscape, operations leaders are continually looking for ways to drive growth, embrace innovation, and maintain a competitive edge. To better understand the challenges and opportunities facing today’s operations professionals, The Work Innovation Lab, a think tank by Asana, conducted an in-depth study of more than 200 operations professionals across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. The Lab asked about their biggest challenges, what’s causing them stress, and where their focus is in the coming fiscal year.  #### Work Innovation Lab이란? AI 기반 자동화와 에이전트 AI부터 소셜 커머스와 마이크로 커뮤니티에 이르기까지 2026년을 결정할 주요 마케팅 트렌드를 살펴보세요. 개인 정보 보호 우선의 세계에서 고객 경험을 개선하고, 진정성 있는 브랜드 연결을 구축하고, 성공을 측정하는 방법을 알아보세요. - [인사이트 얻기](/work-innovation-lab)The research yielded a clear trend: operations leaders aren’t confident that their current operating models are efficient—and they regret relying on outdated workflows. Moving into the coming year, they’re focused on achieving operational efficiency.  Enter artificial intelligence. More than a buzzword, AI is reshaping the fabric of business operations. The potential for AI is undeniable—and as its capabilities grow, so does its role in transforming the operations function. Here are three actionable insights for operations leaders who want to drive efficient growth with AI. ## 1. Embrace an experimentation mindset Operations leaders know that AI has the power to solve operational inefficiencies and boost productivity. But the real value of AI extends beyond its immediate benefits. By embracing and adopting AI, operations leaders can pave the way for sustained future growth.  But doing so isn’t necessarily easy. Only 37% of operations executives said they’re confident their current operating models are efficient, according to The Lab’s research. What’s more, 61% of operations professionals regret not investing in new technologies in the last six months, and 63% regret not being innovative enough. The takeaway is clear: there’s a pressing need for operations leaders to adapt, innovate, and invest in new technologies—and professionals feel like they’re behind. By embracing an experimentation mindset, leaders can give teams space to move quickly and navigate uncertainties. Adopting a “test and learn” approach safeguards against the potential risks of fast-evolving technology and positions companies to expand successful AI experiments on a large scale, ensuring a lasting competitive advantage.  ## 2. Use AI to streamline processes In the face of increasingly complex workflows, operations leaders are seeking methods to optimize and simplify their workstreams and processes. Creating efficiencies in these areas is no longer just an operational boon—it’s a critical differentiator.  The need to create this competitive advantage is impacting operations leaders deeply. According to The Work Innovation Lab, 73% of operations executives said becoming more operationally efficient is one of their top three challenges currently, and 80% regret not addressing operational inefficiencies in the past 6 months.  AI provides a solution. The technology not only offers the capability to automate repetitive tasks, but also the ability to tap into predictive modeling and AI-driven analytics. By adopting AI to standardize processes and workstreams, operations leaders can transform bottlenecks into smooth workflows, enabling employees to focus on high-value work.  ## 3. Make human-centric AI a priority Embracing AI doesn’t signal a diminishing role for humans—in fact, it underscores their significance in today's evolving landscape. As operations leaders pivot to incorporate AI strategies, it’s important that they strike a balance between automating and amplifying human capabilities. In other words, leveraging AI isn't just about automation—it's about enhancing human capabilities while embracing advanced technologies.  By championing an AI strategy that balances these elements, leaders position their organizations to reap the benefits AI technology offers while enabling their workforce to dive deeper into human-centric, high-impact work—the work that requires judgment, intuition, and emotional intelligence.  ## Dig deeper into the research Download the [Driving Sustainable Growth with AI report](https://asana.com/work-innovation-lab/driving-sustainable-growth-with-ai-a-guide-for-ops-and-it-leaders/) to learn where AI stands with today's leaders. Discover research-backed strategies for: - Leveraging AI technology and embracing AI adoption with an eye toward sustainable, long-term growth. - Navigating challenges around security, cross-team collaboration, and wide-scale adoption in order to craft an impactful AI strategy.  #### Driving sustainable growth with AI: Takeaways for ops and IT leaders Explore takeaways from an in-depth study of IT and operations leaders. Discover actionable strategies to navigate AI challenges and harness the technology to work smarter in the new era of work. - [Get the insights](/resources/driving-sustainable-growth-with-ai) 업무 환경에서의 AI - [How leading organizations are driving real results with AI and collaborative work management](https://resources.asana.com/driving-real-results-AI-work-management.html?utm_medium=website&utm_source=web_event_hub&utm_campaign=for26) 업무 환경에서의 AI #### 콘텐츠 작가 - [State of Marketing Collaboration](/ko/resources/state-of-marketing-collaboration) Work Innovation Lab 마케팅 - [Turn your conversations into coordinated work with Asana AI connectors](/ko/resources/ai-connectors) 업무 환경에서의 AI #### 콘텐츠 작가 훌륭한 아이디어는 AI 도구에서 시작됩니다. 현재 직원 중 87%가 직장에서 AI를 사용하고 있으며,* 팀은 매일 AI의 도움을 받아 아이디어를 브레인스토밍하고, 계획을 수립하고, 빠르게 상황을 파악하고, 신속하게 업무를 처리하고 있습니다. 또한 공식적인 회사 AI 출시를 기다리는 것도 아닙니다. AI 사용 정책을 시행 ... - [How a media company saves time and improves collaboration with AI Studio](/ko/resources/we-are-era) AI #### 작가 We Are Era, part of RTL Group (Bertelsmann), is Europe's leading studio and talent agency. From talent management to digital content production and branded entertainment, the med ... - [Drive long-term growth with AI: 3 takeaways for ops leaders](/ko/resources/operations-growth-ai) 업무 환경에서의 AI 업무 환경에서의 AI - [콘텐츠 작가](/author/whitney-vige) In today’s complex work landscape, operations leaders are continually looking for ways to drive growth, embrace innovation, and maintain a competitive edge. To better understand t ...