From AI Confusion to Clarity: Overcoming the Uncertainty of Where to Start
Written by
Jacob Zweig, Managing Director
Published
July 3, 2024
Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds incredible promise for revolutionizing industries and unlocking new business value. However, many companies find themselves at a crossroads when it comes to initiating their AI journey. The one of the biggest pain points? Confusion on where to start. According to a recent Deloitte survey, 55% of CEOs state the identification of the right use cases as the primary obstacle to realizing AI’s business value.
Beyond Algorithms: Identifying
Transformative AI Use Cases
If your business doesn’t have at least three AI use cases delivering significant value by the end of 2024, you’re falling behind. Most companies initially perceive AI implementation as a technology challenge. They think the key lies in acquiring the latest algorithms, software, or hardware. However, the real challenge is not in the technology itself but in identifying compelling AI use cases that can genuinely transform their business.
To leverage AI effectively, companies must shift their mindset. The most impactful AI use cases are not just incremental improvements to existing processes. They often require a fundamental rethinking of how the business operates, including redesigning business processes, understanding the human experience, and effectively managing change to ensure adoption. Addressing ethical and privacy concerns is also essential for responsible AI implementation. Without this capability, even the most advanced AI technologies can fail to deliver substantial value.
5 Steps to Get You from Zero to AI
By following a structured approach, your organization can navigate the complexities of AI implementation and unlock its transformative potential. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help your organization get from zero to AI, ensuring you address critical cultural and organizational challenges, identify high-impact use cases, and scale AI solutions effectively.
Step 1: Start Now, Don’t Wait
The journey to AI success begins with a single step: start now. Waiting for the perfect moment or the ideal technology setup can lead to missed opportunities. Begin by fostering a culture of innovation and openness to AI within your organization. Addressing cultural and organizational challenges is crucial. In a recent LinkedIn post, Ryan Litvak, Director of Data and Analytics at Jabil, explains:
Businesses often face cultural and organizational challenges. AI needs a lot of good data, and if a company still relies on manual processes or just wants to use AI to automate those processes without rethinking their business model, success will be hard to come by. Plus, if systems aren’t connected and can’t share data easily, AI projects won’t get off the ground. It’s crucial to build a data-driven culture and ensure your systems work well together to unlock AI’s full potential.
Step 2: Identify High-Impact Use Cases
Look for areas where AI can make a significant difference. These use cases should have the potential to transform your operations, improve efficiency, enhance customer experience, or open new revenue streams. The key is to think big and envision how AI can fundamentally change the way you do business. Making ideas happen with incisive strategy and a bias toward action is crucial. In a recent LinkedIn post, Sean Eidson, CEO of Merit Golf, shares a helpful tip:
Give yourself a constraint framework. Ask, “How might we?”
“How might we create 10x the versions of the email with the same creative budget?”
“How might we review 10x the applications (loan applications, job applications, content submissions) with the same budget?”
Step 3: Pilot Projects
Implementing pilot projects is a practical way to start. Select a few high-priority use cases and develop pilot projects around them. These pilots will help you test the feasibility and impact of AI solutions on a smaller scale before scaling them up. Ensure that these projects address your specific needs and deliver measurable outcomes.
Step 4: Learn and Iterate
AI implementation is an iterative process. Learn from your pilot projects, gather feedback, and refine your approach. This iterative cycle will help you build the expertise and confidence needed to scale AI initiatives across your organization.
Step 5: Scale and Integrate
Once you have successfully implemented and refined your pilot projects, it’s time to scale them up. Integrate AI solutions into your broader business processes and continuously monitor their performance. The insights gained from initial projects will guide you in expanding AI’s impact throughout your organization.
Embark on Your AI Journey with Confidence
Embarking on an AI journey can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. OneSix’s expertise in identifying and implementing high-impact AI use cases can help you navigate this complex landscape. We design, build, and deploy custom AI solutions that address your specific needs, ensuring you see tangible results and business value from your AI initiatives. Let’s take the first step together, transforming confusion into clarity and making AI a driving force for your business success.
The best thing you can do is start now.
Embrace AI now and position your organization as a leader in the digital age. Get in touch with us to learn how we can help you embark on your AI journey and capture transformative business value.
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