Artificial intelligence (AI) has been around since the 1950s, but the advancements made in recent years have been remarkable. When speaking with organizations about their AI experiences, two common questions arise: “How can I start this journey?” and “What are my next steps?” Whether your organization is new to AI or expanding its enterprise-wide initiatives, advice from AI leaders can be priceless.
1. Creating a Business Case
The very first step of the AI journey is not solely technical; it’s about forging a strong partnership with the business,” emphasizes one AI leader. The paramount objective is to deliver tangible value to the company and its customers. While technology enthusiasts can be captivated by the allure of cutting-edge advancements, the ultimate purpose remains delivering value.
In order to succeed in AI endeavors, it’s crucial to create a solid business case for each project, whether it involves improving internal procedures or developing AI-based products and services. It’s essential to be intentional when deploying AI and not let the excitement of the technology overshadow the overall business strategy. Taking on a haphazard approach can be risky because it may result in some progress but also create problems that become increasingly difficult to solve as time goes on.
2. Organize Your Data
As businesses delve into the world of AI innovation, they are realizing that the success of their ideas relies heavily on the quality and consistency of their data. Smart leaders understand that investing in a strong data platform is crucial in order to fully benefit from AI’s potential. By building a foundation with reliable, easily accessible, and secure data, organizations can extract more value from their data resources. This includes gaining new insights, making complex predictions, and increasing automation.
Moreover, this data infrastructure prevents the “integration tax” that can lead to avoidable delays, expenses, and uncertainties in data and AI initiatives. Importantly, it includes unified data management and ethical AI principles from the start.
3. Leadership in AI Culture
AI leaders have noticed that organizations that gain the most benefit from AI are those where leadership sets the tone from the top. This includes creating an environment that promotes cross-functional collaboration, safe experimentation, agile adaptation to changing circumstances, and knowledge sharing based on their interactions with customers and partners.
The old days of computing platforms lasting for decades are gone. Nowadays, technology changes rapidly, and it’s crucial to have a forward-thinking approach. Successful teams adopt a culture of hypothesis-driven thinking and make it the norm throughout the organization. This type of environment encourages experimentation, learning from both successes and failures and adapting quickly. With technology advancing so quickly, it’s essential to keep up with the pace.
In conclusion, the journey into the realm of AI is a transformative one, and success hinges on a blend of strategic intent, data excellence, and a culture that thrives on curiosity and adaptability. By adhering to these three core guidelines from enterprise AI leaders, your organization can position itself for success in the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
