How is AI reshaping the business future?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the future of business at breakneck speed, and the Gartner IT Symposium 2024 highlighted the importance of finding the right pace for implementing this technology in organizations. ilegra was present at the event, which took place from October 21-24 in Orlando, and our VP of Strategy and Innovation, Caroline Capitani, participated in the opening keynote and shared some important insights.

The keynote “Pacing Yourself in the AI Races“, presented by Hung LeHong and Mary Mesaglio, highlighted the coexistence of two distinct races: that of the technology vendors driving innovation at a rapid pace, and the internal enterprise race focused on the effective and scalable implementation of AI solutions to deliver tangible results.

Balancing Innovation and Implementation

The proliferation of new generative AI models, with launches every two days, illustrates the speed of the vendor race. However, organizations must not get caught up in the euphoria of unbridled innovation, and must focus on implementations that deliver real results. The internal race must be strategic, prioritizing areas where AI can have the greatest impact.

Managing Expectations and Overcoming Challenges

Despite the buzz around AI, many CIOs are still struggling to see the expected return on investment. Integrating AI into everyday life requires a greater learning curve than anticipated, and employees, while enthusiastic about the new tools, may struggle in the real world.

To ensure the success of AI implementation, it is crucial to:

• Set realistic expectations: AI is not a magic solution, and its benefits are realized over time.
• Focus on strategic areas: Implementing AI in high-impact areas, such as deep productivity zones, will maximize return on investment.
• Invest in training and capacity building: Preparing employees to work with AI is essential to ensure adoption and optimize benefits.
• Monitor the cost of AI: GenAI can generate unpredictable costs that must be closely monitored to ensure a return on investment.
• Adopt a personalized approach: Each organization must set its own pace in the AI race, adapting solutions to its specific needs.

The human impact of AI

In addition to the technological challenges, implementing AI also requires attention to the behavioral impact on employees. The introduction of new technologies can cause anxiety and resistance, and it is essential that leaders consider these aspects in their change management programs.

Building the future with AI

AI offers organizations the opportunity to reinvent their business models and reach new heights of efficiency and innovation. By taking a strategic, outcome-focused, and human-centric approach, organizations can make AI a powerful tool for shaping the future.

The main message of the opening keynote, and of Gartner IT Symposium 2024 as a whole, was very clear: each organization needs to set its own pace in adopting AI. Instead of getting caught up in the hype, the focus should be on implementations that deliver real results by aligning technology, human behavior, and productivity. AI is here to stay, and now is the time to lead the way and shape the future with intelligence and innovation.