Start with repetitive, rules-based work that already lives in your systems.
The best first AI projects share three traits: the task repeats often, the inputs are digital, and a person can check the result quickly. Invoice capture, ticket triage and report drafting all fit.
Avoid starting with the hardest decision in the company. Pick a workflow where a wrong answer is cheap to catch, measure the time saved, then extend.
Connect the assistant to the systems of record. An assistant that cannot read your ERP or CRM can only guess.