Generative AI technology continues to be a game-changer, evolving rapidly in ways that are both exciting and sometimes overwhelming. In 2024, we saw startups disrupting industries and established tech giants expanding their expertise, creating an ever-changing landscape. It’s fascinating how quickly innovations emerge, reshaping what we thought was possible even just months earlier.
At Zeidler Group, generative AI is a key area of interest and integration. This past year, we expanded our Innovation Lab, welcomed new colleagues, and launched multiple AI-driven products that involved AI integration such as our Marketing Material Review Tool and Zeidler Due Diligence Platform. As we continue to learn and grow, and our clients are increasingly looking to integrate AI into their fund’s operations and processes, our Head of Innovation Lab, Alex Mercer shares some key insights from 2024 that can help businesses harness AI effectively while staying compliant.
A clear and practical Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is critical for businesses using generative AI. At Zeidler Group, we’ve refined our approach to ensure responsible AI use, continuously assessing both opportunities and risks.
An AUP acts as a foundation for compliant AI practices within your organization. It’s not just about outlining what’s allowed but also about ensuring employees understand potential risks. Regular audits are essential to verify that policies are being followed. We’ve seen cases where clients underestimated the regulatory challenges, leading to significant issues. To help, we’ve created a checklist to guide companies in drafting effective AI policies—download it to get started.
AI continuity planning became a pressing topic in 2024. Major outages, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT downtime over the holidays, highlighted the importance of having backup plans. While this particular disruption was brief, it underscored how dependent businesses can become on a single provider.
To safeguard your operations, consider:
Diversifying vendors to maintain accounts with multiple AI providers.
Flexible tools- Use systems that allow you to switch between AI models easily.
Just like any other core business component, it is critical to have a continuity and backup plan in place to ensure that you can handle minor and serious outages of a vendor-provided LLM.
For generative AI specifically, we recommend having accounts with multiple providers as well as using tools that support the swapping of underlying LLMs if necessary. It’s better to have the resources available and not use it, than be in a situation where you are scrambling for a solution. Think of generative AI like any other essential tool in your business. It’s better to be over-prepared than caught off guard.
Generative AI is a fast-moving field, with advancements occurring regularly. In 2024, we saw breakthroughs in reasoning models, such as OpenAI’s “o-1” model, and anticipate further innovation in 2025.
While staying informed is crucial, you don’t need to go overboard into every technical detail. Following trusted tech publications and specialized AI newsletters can keep you up-to-date without overwhelming you with noise. Focus on developments that align with your business needs rather than chasing every headline.
Generative AI became more mainstream in 2024, with businesses finding regular, practical uses for the technology. However, not all new developments delivered on their promises. Some products were overhyped, leading to disappointment—like a certain AI model that suggested consuming rocks for minerals.
The takeaway? Approach AI solutions with a healthy dose of skepticism. Ask tough questions, demand transparency, and prioritize functionality over flashy claims.
Conclusion
2024 was a transformative year for generative AI, and 2025 promises even more growth and innovation. At Zeidler Group, we’re committed to navigating this exciting journey with care, curiosity, and compliance.
If you’re exploring AI or have insights to share, our innovation lab would love to hear from you. Please contact us with any questions or thoughts you have on the field, we are always excited to hear how others are using the technology.
