The world is swamped with AI hype today. And much of this hype is well deserved. The challenge though is that there are so many “AI experts” now, that it is really difficult for business leaders to understand what exactly are “AI-enabled” capabilities and how they can be built. Some believe they can transform the entire organization if they implement “AI-enabled” solutions, even if they were a tech laggard till now. Some do not believe that “AI-enabled” solutions can actually help transform anything at all.

Confusion abounds !

My new video series (introduction below) aims to share the realism of AI and also helps understand how, when planned and executed properly, “AI-enabled” enterprise does become a reality.

AI@Work: Episode 1

I continuously highlight the “roadmap” aspect of any capability. Technology is my passion and obsession. Yet, I emphasize that in order to become successful with technology, whether you are selling technology or implementing it, you have to think beyond it. Fundamentals are important. Foundations are important. These foundations do not sound as fancy as the mid and long term fancy capabilities you want to build. But the reality is that unless you have these in place, you will not have any success, let me repeat, any success, with a new implementation.

As you may know, I do not sell any products or services. But even if I were, I would focus on how I can help anyone and everyone buying my product succeed. Because if I keep that at heart, and explain that to my customer reflecting that true “Care-at-heart” emotion, make them realize that I understand what technology is today and will be tomorrow, what it can do for them, and how my product is an essential component of it, they will trust me. That trust will not only help you sell your product or service, it will also help your customers adopt your product and succeed with it.

You can no longer sell technology solutions. You HAVE TO sell solutions and ideas, where your technology is an essential component, or the primary component.

And if I want to do that, I have to show them how to use my product to make an impact, not actually get dragged down because of my product. Every major technology product out there is powerful. The complains that you hear are not essentially always due to the product itself. The gap, almost always is the guidance and expertise to translate that product into a solution, that sits perfectly within customer’s portfolio, and on their transformation roadmap.

When formulated honestly, AI roadmaps are reality checks. And they are also the most important planning weapon in your decade-long journey to become a Generative AI-powered organization. In my most recent research report, “Innovating With the Cloud“, I highlighted that cloud-enabled capabilities follow three stages, as shown in the illustration below.

AI roadmaps follow the same journey, though they may differ slightly when it comes to stages. In the Designed Analytics White Paper, “The Honest Guide to Developing AI Roadmaps”, publishing on April 30th, 2024, I will share a high-level overview of the same. Stay tuned !