As AI continues to reshape the business landscape, it's clear that this technology is not just a tool, but rather a driver to fundamentally change processes and business models. Companies that embrace AI are reaping significant rewards, from improved customer experiences to increased operational efficiency. However, the path to AI success is not always straightforward.
In this blog, the AI, Analytics, & Automation practice leaders at Levi, Ray, & Shoup (LRS) offer their perspective and insight on three key AI topics in fill-in-the-blank format.
Question 1: The biggest misconception I hear about AI for business is _____.
Steve Cavolick: The biggest misconception is that it is a plug-and-play solution instead of a capability that needs to be cultivated over time.
There is still a myth out there that AI is a black box that already knows everything and is ready to answer any question or automate any process as soon as you turn it on. Not all organizations are prepared for the effort and cost of mastering their data so it can be used to train their models. Deploying AI at scale is not easy, but it doesn’t have to be difficult.
Brian Beals: For me, two misconceptions actually come to mind:
“AI is going to replace my job” - People have always been worried about technology replacing their jobs. The fact of the matter is, AI is well poised to help workers perform more efficiently, with a higher degree of accuracy and job satisfaction.
“AI is going to harvest sensitive company data” - While it’s true with public LLM’s, there can be unintended consequences by providing certain types of data to a public LLM. At LRS, we take data seriously and help our clients architect an AI environment that minimizes if not eliminates that risk by isolating the sensitive data from the LLM through governance and security practices.
Question 2: The first step I recommend for businesses new to AI transformation is _____.
Brian Beals: My recommendation is to start small and pick an application that is low risk, but which provides high value and can be completed quickly.
Most of our customers start off with generative AI chatbots around helpdesk or HR. It’s great when you can set up one of these environments that allows self-service for your employees. It engages them with the technology and helps to educate the entire organization on the art of the possible.
Steve Cavolick: My recommendation is to get your data business-ready.
Let’s be clear: data readiness represents competitive advantage. While not every company operates at a massive scale or possesses extensive networks, every organization has collected valuable data related to its products, services, customers, partners, and supply chain. Mastering your data represents a universal opportunity to leverage it for competitive advantage, be it with AI or traditional operational analytics.
Question 3: The key to building trust in AI models among stakeholders is _____.
Brian Beals: Working with a partner who prioritizes AI trustability and governance is the key.
Companies need to work with a trusted AI vendor where they have assurances that the AI cannot be tampered with and will not cause harm. In today’s business world, we must demand that our AI systems are fair, unbiased, explainable and accountable. At LRS, we help our customers achieve this every day.
Steve Cavolick: The key to building trust in AI models is having a Center of Excellence (CoE).
AI is an opportunity for everyone, and we need to get humans used to working with bots or agents without fear of replacement. In a CoE, you can develop pilot projects, document lessons learned, and share them. This approach has the beneficial effect of spreading the message that AI is a gateway to awesome new ways to work. It’s not mysterious, and is not a threat, but rather something that anyone can learn about and explore.
We are still in the early stages of AI, but we can already see the ways this technology is affecting the way we all work and is going to become an indispensable asset for your organization.
Do you have more AI questions or want to explore AI for your business? Click here to request a meeting
with us. Don’t have an information architecture for AI that you trust yet? LRS can also help you collect, organize, and analyze your data so that it is business-ready.