As industry and technology influencers speak and focus more and more on Artificial Intelligence (AI), it can be somewhat mind-boggling and confusing to make sense of it all. While there is lots of information about AI, it can be overwhelming when all you really want to know is what should be my 2019 AI priorities? Well thankfully, PwC have a easily consumable response for you in their report 2019 AI Predictions. PwC outline 6 AI priorities for corporates to focus on to – read the report for full details, below is a quick summary.
Priority 1 – Create an AI Structure and Start Small
- Consider building an AI solution for one process or particular segment of the business, once deployed you will typically find opportunities to scale the solution in other areas of your business
- Think reusable building blocks
- Create a Centre of Excellence (CoE) consisting of business, IT and AI resources that can build an AI strategy for your organisation
Priority 2 – Create an AI Informed Workforce
AI will impact most of your organisation in the future, so Pwc refer to different groups of employees as:
- Citizens users – most of the organisations employees that will need a basic level of understanding of how to use AI-powered tools
- Citizen developers – around 5-10% of your employees will need to be power users or super users
- Data scientists – a small group responsible for creating, deploying and managing AI applications
You need to start creating and recruiting employees in the above areas. Creating a workplace culture that is using AI responsibly will help foster a positive environment.
Priority 3 – Trust – With Great AI comes Great Responsibility
PwC highlight 5 key AI responsibilities:
- Fairness – Ensure the AI is not bias
- Interpretability – How is the AI making decisions, are they the right decisions?
- Robustness and Security – Are the AI systems reliable and protected from attackers
- Governance – Who is responsible for AI systems, are appropriate controls in place?
- System Ethics – Is the AI regulatory compliant? What is the impact on customers and employees?
Priority 4 – Data – Standardise, Label and Teach
PwC explain machine learning identifies patterns in the past and present to predict the future. In order to do this, the data must be labelled and in order to label the data standards have to be established to ensure the labelling happens consistently.
Regulations such as GDPR impact AI because companies that operate globally will need to understand how the data is managed across regions and ensure they comply with the strict laws around privacy and how personal data is handled.
Priority 5 – AI will add value by enabling Better Quality and Personalised Products
Right now the AI focus is on improving day to day operations by automating repeatable tasks and enabling employees to make better decisions. Looking ahead PwC believe AI solutions will be more customer or consumption side focused – providing better quality, more personal and data driven products and services.
Also, think about investing and collaborating with an AI startup!
Priority 6 – Think about AI alongside other technologies
The power of AI, Pwc suggest, is enhanced when it is combined with other tech such as ERP’s, analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain… Bringing together different technologies will also drive new business models.
A key enabler here will require the human touch too. Specialists will be needed to provide feedback in a collaborative manner. PwC refer to DevOps – development and operational teams working together in a feedback loop requiring constant collaboration and interactive changes to any given product or process.
