A new framework that could help businesses better understand and use AI has been developed by researchers from the University of Sheffield.
In a paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, Dr. Denis Newman-Griffis from the University’s Center for Machine Intelligence outlines the key things that organizations should consider before working with the technology.
The framework is designed to be used by anyone and focuses on practical day-to-day applications. It encourages businesses to shift to a problem-first mindset and consider specific goals for using AI.
The emergence of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT has seen a rise in consumer use of AI for users across all fields. However, research has shown that although almost 3 in 10 workers (29%) in the UK are currently using AI at work, almost a quarter (23%) say they don’t feel confident using it. (Opinium).
Dr. Newman-Griffis, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and Theme Lead for AI-Enabled Research at the University of Sheffield’s Center for Machine Intelligence, said, “Businesses and government are increasingly recognizing the opportunities that AI could provide, but conversations around AI are still based on understanding its functionality and how it is built, rather than how to fit it into existing wider processes to accomplish goals.
“The framework we have developed here in Sheffield highlights the importance of businesses changing how they think about AI: rather than seeing it as an outside innovation they need to adopt to stay competitive, our framework helps them see AI as a toolkit they can use to get better at what they already do.
“By starting from what they do and how they do it, and then seeing where AI technologies can be helpful in that picture, businesses can make sure their adoption of AI will make sense for them and help them achieve their goals. Once they have done this, they can work from there on identifying an appropriate technology that fits that purpose, and then integrating it into the way they work.”
The Sheffield framework—called AI Thinking—breaks down the process of using AI into five skills of approaching AI in terms of informing specific processes, defining what an AI application is meant to accomplish, comparing and contrasting different options for AI technologies, understanding and choosing between data sources for use with AI, and grounding use of AI in the specific contexts where it will be applied.
Dr. Newman-Griffis added, “There’s no reason for the in-depth understanding of AI to be restricted solely to those with a degree in computer science. This framework has been developed with a focus on enabling a real-world, application-based perspective of AI to help people in any sector and discipline understand how to implement it into their own teams.
“AI Thinking helps teams bring people together and work together effectively, covering the different skills that are needed to bring AI into practice to meet operational and strategic goals. Thinking about AI in this problem-based, context-sensitive way is vital to making practical AI use both effective and ethical.”
As the government’s new AI Action Plan sets the course for new growth and investment in AI across the UK, AI Thinking helps show how to turn this into real improvements from applying AI in practice.
Dr. Newman-Griffis added, “AI Thinking is for anyone: as the government seeks to turbocharge its work through the use of AI, this framework will help chart the path forward to achieving that goal as part of delivering responsible public services.”
The AI Thinking concept provides a common ground for users from different backgrounds to understand and use AI effectively and responsibly. This aims to help bridge the gaps between different perspectives on AI and guide its development in fields like education, business, and government.
More information:
Denis Newman-Griffis, AI Thinking: a framework for rethinking artificial intelligence in practice, Royal Society Open Science (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.241482
University of Sheffield
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New AI guidance could help businesses and government use the technology (2025, February 3)
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