How do small companies really use AI in daily workflows?

A 3-month real-world study embedding customized AI setups in 10 small companies to understand workflow changes, intent patterns, and evolution over time.

This study employs rigorous qualitative and quantitative methods to understand real-world AI adoption patterns. Our research focuses on workflow transformation rather than prompt engineering techniques, capturing the intent and evolution of AI usage over time.

In collaboration with

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Research Team

Led by experienced researchers in human-AI interaction and organizational studies

Anton Wolter

PhD Student

Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark

Human-AI InteractionSoftware Engineering

Why This Study Matters

Most AI research focuses on prompting techniques and isolated use cases. We're investigating the bigger picture: how AI changes the way work gets done.

How do daily workflows evolve when AI tools become available?

What intents drive AI usage beyond simple content generation?

How do different roles within small teams adopt AI differently?

What barriers prevent effective AI integration?

How do usage patterns change from week 1 to week 3?

What Participants Get

No fluff. Practical improvements and real insights.

Individual Technical Setup

AI tools configured specifically for your business needs based on pre-study interview. Completely tailored, not a one-size-fits-all solution.

On-Demand Technical Support

Technical support available whenever you need it throughout the 3-month study. Get help with questions, troubleshooting, and optimization anytime.

Weekly Questionnaires

Brief weekly questionnaires (~15 min) to track your experience, usage patterns, and evolving needs throughout the study period.

Final Report + Benchmarks

Comprehensive final report with your results and anonymized insights from other participants for comparison after the final interview.

The Exchange

A fair and transparent collaboration between your company and our research team.

What You Get

Custom AI Setup from Leading Experts

Individual technical setup tailored to your specific business needs, configured by experienced researchers in human-AI interaction.

On-Demand Technical Support

Continuous technical support available whenever you need it, plus weekly questionnaires to track your progress and gather insights.

Cutting-Edge Technology Access

Be among the first to implement state-of-the-art AI tools and workflows in a real business setting over 3 months.

Contributing to Science

Help shape the future of AI adoption research and contribute to advancing knowledge in the field.

Completely Free of Charge

Full setup, support, and tools provided at zero cost. No hidden fees or future obligations.

What We Need

Usage Data Collection

Allow us to collect anonymized data on how AI tools are used in your workflows (with configurable redaction for sensitive content).

Time Commitment

Pre-study interview for setup planning, ~15 minutes weekly for questionnaires during the 3-month study, and a final interview at the end.

Authentic Participation

Use the AI tools genuinely in your daily work, not just for testing. We need real-world usage patterns to learn from over the full 3 months.

A win-win collaboration: You get cutting-edge AI implementation for free, and we gain insights to advance AI research.

All data is anonymized, and you maintain full control over what gets logged. Learn more about our data protection →

Our Methodology

Pre-Study Interview

Extensive interview to understand your business needs, workflows, and requirements. This informs your individual technical setup.

Individual Technical Setup

Custom AI configuration tailored specifically to your business. Includes openclaw installation plus additional tools based on your unique requirements.

Measurements

Weekly questionnaires (~15 min), prompt logs, token usage tracking, and cost analysis throughout the 3-month study period.

On-Demand Support

Technical support available whenever you need it. Plus intent categorization (research, communication, analysis, etc.) rather than just prompt techniques.

Study Flow

P
Pre-Study
Interview & Setup
M
Month 1
Onboarding
M
Month 2
Active Usage
M
Month 3
Refinement
F
Final Interview
& Report

Timeline

Recruitment Open
Now
Applications accepted on rolling basis
Pre-Study Interview
April 2026
Extensive interview to understand your needs and plan individual technical setup
Technical Setup
Late April 2026
Custom AI configuration tailored to your business requirements
Study Window
May - July 2026 (3 months)
Active usage with weekly questionnaires and on-demand technical support
Final Interview & Reports
August 2026
Closing interview, final analysis, and delivery of insights

Data Protection & Security

Your data security and privacy are our top priorities.

Data minimization - we only collect what's necessary

Prompt logging with configurable redaction for sensitive content

Anonymization and aggregation before any analysis

Strict access control - only authorized researchers

Clear retention period (data deleted after study completion)

No training on your data - models remain unchanged

Full transparency about data handling at every step

Right to withdraw and delete your data at any time

For complete details on data handling, storage, and your rights, please review our Privacy Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apply for the Cohort

Limited slots: 10 companies