Last week, I had the privilege of attending a leadership meetup in Dallas organized by This Dot Labs and to be on the panel discussing the “Impact of AI on Organizations”.
I was lucky enough to be in the same room with some seriously brilliant people. The discussions we had were refreshing and a big learning experience for me.
What got me fascinated was the kind of applications where AI is being put to use. While I cannot disclose the specific applications discussed, the common thread was on leveraging AI to analyze and interpret vast quantities of data.
AI, ML and Data engineering
It was interesting to hear how the term “AI” was used interchangeably with a well-developed machine learning model or a robust data engineering process. I suppose when you witness the transformative power of these technologies firsthand and see how they push the boundaries of what’s possible, it all feels like magic.
Or as I recently heard someone put it, “… It’s all PFM (Pure F**king Magic!)”
Cost of AI
We also talked about how the cost of running these models really adds up when you start using them on a larger scale.
It’s easy to get a solution up and running for a small proof-of-concept project and see some promising results. But things get more complex when you try to implement that same solution across an entire company. And keep in mind, we’re not talking about some AI model designed for everyday consumers. These could be something specifically built for businesses or used internally within an organization.
Adopting AI tools and being AI-native
One of my favorite questions that came up for the panel discussion was about how a company should go about adopting AI, and what it actually means to be an AI-native organization. It really got me thinking about how businesses can successfully integrate AI into their operations and fully embrace its potential.
It’s true that the AI revolution is changing everything! To keep up, businesses need to think beyond just slapping an “AI-powered” label on their products and really weave AI into their operations.
Anyone who’s seen what generative AI can do knows there’s no going back. The key is getting everyone on board. Get the HR teams to use AI to write job postings that attract top talent. Sales teams can leverage AI help to perfect their pitches and close more deals. The key is to not restrict AI to the technical team. Imagine the possibilities when everyone starts using it.
When you encourage this kind of exploration, you’ll discover what AI can really do for your company. Instead of forcing AI features on people, you’ll see people natutally taking the direction of AI-assistance! Just like any new feature, don’t just add AI to your product just because it’s trendy. Make sure it brings real value and your users actually want it. The FOMO trap is real. Focus on a smart AI strategy that drives results.
Here’s to more such conversations 🥂
./J