Collaborating For Success: An AI CoE Leader’s Perspective
Collaborating For Success: An AI CoE Leader’s Perspective
Top Insights For Defining, Growing, And Scaling The AI Program In Your Company
A few months ago, Brian Pearce (Senior AI CoE Leader) joined me on “What’s the BUZZ?” and shared how you can lead your AI CoE to success. The journey of implementing AI in businesses is both thrilling and complex. It's not just about harnessing innovative technology but delivering tangible, impactful results that accelerate company growth. However, as businesses dive deep into the AI world, they often face challenges - from trying to control its vast applications to educating stakeholders on its nuances. The structure and integration of AI into companies play a critical role in determining its success. If you’re new to the role, where should you start? Here is what we’ve talked about…
Understanding The CoE’s Mandate
Understanding AI in a company isn't just about implementing cool tech; it's about speeding up business processes and offering tangible value. An AI Center of Excellence (CoE) has the primary job of ensuring that AI isn't just an experiment but a tool that helps the business thrive. Before starting, it's crucial to understand why the CoE is needed and what its role will be. Trying to control every AI tool within the company will turn out to be a mistake. AI is everywhere. Therefore, understanding the vastness of stakeholders, from legal to business lines, and educating them is crucial. AI works differently than traditional systems, so building common ground is essential for success.
Earning The Business’ Trust Along The AI Journey
When companies start their AI journey, it's natural to want to control and catalog AI's use. However, attempting to keep tabs on every AI tool can be an overreach, causing loss of trust and credibility. Companies must focus on delivering genuine value through AI, rather than over-regulating its use. By understanding the core mandate of AI, businesses can build their relationships with stakeholders and prioritize delivering real-world solutions.
» You have to make sure that the business is engaged and you're really thinking about the right business problems. «
— Brian Pearce
Establishing Cross-Functional Teams For A Holistic AI Approach
How a company integrates AI is greatly influenced by its culture. Instead of just relying on one department, having a blended team from business, data, and tech areas can offer a more holistic approach. Avoid viewing AI as just another IT tool; it needs to address genuine business problems. Companies must decide between centralizing or spreading out their AI capabilities. While centralized models allow for better control and standardized practices, federated models give large businesses more flexibility. Lastly, when applying AI, it's crucial to ensure it doesn't just speed up ineffective processes but genuinely enhances them.
Summary
AI's role in business goes beyond tech; it's about offering tangible value and speeding up processes. While it's tempting to control AI's use, companies must focus on delivering real solutions and educating stakeholders. Integration strategies depend on company culture, and a blended approach from various departments can be beneficial. The decision between centralizing or spreading out AI capabilities depends on the company's size and needs. Regardless of the approach, ensuring AI doesn't just fast-track inefficient processes is crucial.
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