AIIM research shows that many organizations feel ready for AI, but encounter obstacles to implementation, especially a lack of available use cases. Where do organization start with Generative AI (Gen AI)?
First, identify the outcome you want. Before embarking on the journey with Gen AI for information management, organizations must first identify the outcomes they want to achieve. While efficiency is often touted as the main benefit, it's crucial to manage expectations and clearly define the goals beyond just "doing more with less." This could involve improving the quality of content, increasing its reach, or making it more engaging for your target audience.
Appointing an AI strategist is a pivotal step in the process. This role is often assumed by the Chief Information Officer (CIO), as data lies at the heart of AI implementations. However, the reporting structure may evolve as the field matures. Once the leadership is in place, they can spearhead the development of a comprehensive AI strategy aligned with the organization's identified goals.
High-quality and comprehensive data are critical to the success of AI initiatives. Organizations should thoroughly evaluate their existing data assets, ensuring they have a solid foundation to build upon. This assessment should encompass the scope, quality, and accessibility of the available data.
While AI is a technological advancement, its success heavily relies on human involvement. Organizations should prioritize training and upskilling their workforce, particularly those with high digital dexterity or aptitude for working with computers. Additionally, as natural language processing becomes increasingly important in Gen AI, hiring individuals with strong language and communication skills, such as English majors or linguistics experts, can be a valuable asset.
The AI landscape is rapidly evolving, and organizations should remain vigilant to emerging trends. For instance, the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and AI has led to a surge in data generation, prompting companies to hire data scientists. Similarly, the advent of Gen AI and its reliance on natural language processing may necessitate the acquisition of talent skilled in linguistics and communication.
As the hype surrounding Gen AI continues to grow, it's crucial for organizations to establish a clear strategy and effectively communicate it to their stakeholders. Without a well-defined plan, individuals may start experimenting with Gen AI tools independently, potentially leading to uncoordinated or inefficient implementations.
By following these steps, organizations can lay a solid foundation for their Gen AI journey in information management, increasing their chances of success and realizing the technology's full potential.
This blog post is based on the transcript of an original AIIM OnAir podcast, recorded on April 22, 2024. Listen to the full episode. AIIM used the Pro version of Anthropic's Claude.ai to convert the transcript to a blog post and then the post was edited by AIIM staff and the author.