Praerit Garg, President of Product and Innovation at Smartsheet, views the rise of artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, as a transformative force comparable to the advent of personal computers, the internet, mobile technology, and cloud computing. He believes AI presents an unprecedented opportunity to reshape the future of work, shifting it from a realm of mundane tasks to one of amplified creativity and purpose-driven endeavors. Garg’s enthusiasm stems from the potential for AI to liberate individuals from repetitive, cognitively demanding activities, allowing them to focus on uniquely human pursuits. This vision is central to Smartsheet’s strategy of integrating AI into its work management platform, empowering business users to engage with data and processes more intuitively and efficiently.
Smartsheet’s focus is on making AI accessible and beneficial to everyday business users, not just tech experts. One key area of impact is formula generation. Traditionally, crafting complex formulas in spreadsheets required a high level of technical expertise, creating a barrier for many users. Generative AI democratizes this process, allowing users to express their needs in natural language, which the AI then translates into the necessary formulas. This simplification has resulted in a significant increase in the adoption of Smartsheet’s AI features, accompanied by a marked decrease in support requests related to formula creation. Users can now effortlessly extract insights from data by posing questions in everyday language, a dramatic shift from the previous reliance on technical expertise.
The ability to query data using natural language represents a paradigm shift in data accessibility and analysis. Instead of needing to write complex queries or formulas, users can simply ask questions like, “Which projects are over budget?” The AI then automatically generates the corresponding query and presents the results in an easily understandable format, such as a chart. This empowers users to quickly gain actionable insights from their data, fostering data-driven decision-making across the organization. This empowerment is at the core of Garg’s vision for the future of work, freeing users to focus on strategic thinking and creative problem-solving rather than grappling with technical complexities.
Addressing concerns about data privacy and security in the age of AI is paramount for Smartsheet. Garg emphasizes the company’s careful approach to system architecture, ensuring user data is protected. Specifically, when users utilize the data analysis feature, their data is not directly sent to the AI model. Instead, the system generates SQL queries within Smartsheet’s secure environment based on the user’s natural language prompts. This approach minimizes the risk of data exposure while still delivering the powerful benefits of AI-driven analysis. Furthermore, Smartsheet prioritizes transparency, providing IT and security teams with clear visibility into the workings of its AI features, fostering trust and ensuring compliance.
Garg’s leadership philosophy centers on inspiring and aligning individuals toward a shared mission. He recognizes the diversity of thought and experience within a team and emphasizes the importance of creating a unified sense of purpose. Drawing from his experience working alongside leaders like Dave Thompson at Microsoft and Charlie Bell at AWS, Garg highlights the significance of approachability and human connection in effective leadership. He believes that fostering an environment of open communication and mutual respect is crucial for creating a high-performing team capable of achieving ambitious goals. This approach resonates with his vision for the future of work, where human creativity and collaboration are amplified by AI.
Looking towards the future, Garg believes that even with AI’s growing capabilities, including creative work, humans will remain the driving force behind innovation. He envisions a future where technology serves humanity, freeing individuals to focus on their unique passions and pursuits, whether it’s solving complex problems, creating art, or driving innovation. While acknowledging the potentially disruptive nature of AI, Garg maintains an optimistic perspective, emphasizing the opportunity for humans to leverage AI as a tool for progress and self-discovery. He sees the future of work as a collaborative partnership between humans and AI, where human ingenuity is augmented by the power of intelligent machines.
