For the last couples of years, every conference I’ve attended has had some AI-related theme, so it’s become a little passe! Equally, when looking at the product roadmaps of the tech companies we work with or are considering partnering with in the future, all of them are promoting their AI credentials.
The question that I have is why? Why should we, as users of the technology, care about which features are AI-powered and which are not?
Let’s bring this back to first principles by looking at the S A Partners’ Digital Excellence model:
The model shows that to enable successful Digital Transformation, you need to start by defining your Digital Strategy to determine how you are going to use technology which will in turn, enable you to deliver your business strategy.
Remember that you may have more processes to Digitally Transform than you have resources to do, so your Digital Strategy should form the basis of selecting the processes that you prioritise for Digital Transformation. The issue that I have with the AI obsession is that we can become laser-focused on adopting the latest AI solution, and by doing so, we run the risk of implementing tools rather than delivering our strategic priorities.
This is not to say that the benefits of AI have been overstated; the organizations who win tomorrow will all effectively leverage AI. However, I can also guarantee that in the coming years, many organizations will waste an untold amount of money and time implementing AI tools that have little to no impact for the sake of ‘leveraging AI’.
How then can we make effective use of AI? Stick to the fundamentals. Don’t let marketing hype drive your technology decisions – select the processes that you transform based on a defined strategy. Once you’ve selected a process to Digitally Transform, be clear on the requirements of the digital process and select the technology based on its ability to deliver on these requirements and deliver value to the customer of the process (internal or external).
Over time, AI will enable vendors to add features and functionality to their products that could not previously be delivered, and these products will naturally rise to the top. So even without specifically chasing AI, by adopting this approach, you’ll find that over time you naturally increase your use of the right platforms.
Conclusion
While AI undoubtedly holds immense potential and will be a key differentiator for future success, it’s crucial to maintain a strategic focus. By adhering to the fundamentals of Digital Excellence you can ensure that AI enhances rather than distracts from your goals. Let the technology serve your strategic priorities, rather than establishing your strategic priorities based on the technology that is currently in vogue. This balanced approach will enable you to harness the true power of AI effectively and sustainably.
