Following my invitation to GITEX in Dubai, the second-largest innovation expo in the world after CES in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to share my views on « Artificial Intelligence and Innovation: Turning Challenges into Opportunities » with CEOs and directors from around the world. This enriching experience allowed me to discuss the latest trends and innovations in AI, highlighting its crucial role in transforming modern businesses.
In today’s business landscape, the adage « You can’t manage what you don’t measure » resonates with increased relevance. Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a revolutionary solution to the complex challenges faced by modern businesses. This technology enables managers not only to measure but also to understand their activities with unprecedented precision, paving the way for improved decision-making and performance.
The Example of Amazon: A Revolution in Measurement
Amazon perfectly illustrates the transformation brought by AI. Before its advent, bookstores struggled to track book sales trends. By leveraging data, Amazon was not only able to follow these trends but also to predict customer purchase preferences and the effectiveness of promotions. This ability to anticipate consumer needs has been a key factor in its resounding success.
AI in Traditional Businesses: A Barely Tapped Potential
Although traditional businesses are just beginning to exploit the potential of AI, those that adopt it prove to be more productive and profitable than their competitors. AI offers immense opportunities, but it also poses significant managerial challenges in key areas such as leadership, talent management, technology, decision-making, and corporate culture.
Leadership and Human Vision
The power of AI and data does not replace the need for vision or human intuition. Effective leaders in the AI era are those who constantly question, adapt, and integrate new information to guide their companies to success.
Talent and Expertise
Exploiting data requires a combination of data science skills and deep industry expertise. Data scientists and engineers build and improve the infrastructure necessary for data access and management, while domain experts use this information to identify and solve relevant problems.
Decision-Making and Corporate Culture
Traditionally, corporate decisions rely on the intuition of senior executives. AI encourages a cultural shift towards decisions based on concrete data, favoring the question « What do we know? » rather than « What do we think? »
Transformation of Industries and Functions
AI is a fundamental driver of change, transforming various industries and functions. Companies that recognize and adopt data-based decisions position themselves for significant competitive advantage.
Innovation and User-Centric Approach
To innovate, understanding the user with a customer-centric approach is essential. This enables the creation of products and services that truly meet consumer needs and expectations, thus offering an optimal user experience.
Conclusion
AI and innovation are inextricably linked, transforming challenges into opportunities. Companies that embrace this revolution, adapting their leadership, talent management, decision-making, and corporate culture, are well-positioned to thrive in this new digital era. By recognizing and harnessing the power of AI, these companies pave the way for a future where data and innovation are at the heart of business success.