Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 115 | Page 54

FEATURE: TRANSFORMING THE ENTERPRISE WITH AI

A SUCCESSFUL AI STRATEGY BEGINS WITH A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF BUSINESS OBJECTIVES.

Combining these strategies ensures the enterprise infrastructure is agile, adaptable, and fully prepared to harness the potential of AI technologies for enhanced decision-making and operational efficiency.
Challenges of managing AI
One of the most significant obstacles is the quality and availability of data, and organisations struggle with data silos, incomplete data, and inconsistent data governance, all of which hinder the development of effective AI models. Another common issue is the shortage of skilled professionals, as the demand for AI expertise far exceeds the available talent pool.
“ Integrating AI into legacy systems and ensuring smooth collaboration between IT and business units can slow down progress. Resistance to change within the organisation, fear of job displacement, and a lack of clear communication around AI’ s benefits can also hinder adoption,” says Dataiku’ s Bhatia.
Many enterprises face challenges in measuring ROI from AI investments and struggle to align AI projects with broader business goals, leading to unclear objectives and disappointing outcomes. opportunities. However, inaction is the worst option, companies must move quickly to integrate AI into their operations before competitors seize the advantage,” says Endava’ s Jackson.
Organisations that rely solely on technical teams to drive AI adoption often face significant roadblocks. AI is not just a technology initiative, it requires broad organisational change, including upskilling employees, redefining processes, and fostering a culture of AIdriven decision-making.
“ Without effective change management, AI adoption remains siloed and underutilised,” continues Jackson.
AI’ s success hinges on high-quality, well-managed data. Many enterprises struggle with fragmented, inconsistent, or siloed data, which limits AI’ s effectiveness. Companies that fail to establish robust data governance and integration strategies will find it difficult to extract meaningful insights from AI.
Companies struggle with AI because they see it as a buzz word instead of a complete business transformation. They also do not invest in the right infrastructure or put proper governance in place. A recent report found that MENA companies spent about $ 3 billion on AI in 2023, but 46 % of those projects did not meet their goals due to poor planning, lack of expertise, and not aligning projects with business needs.
“ The companies that are succeeding with AI are the ones that take a more holistic approach. They are combining AI with technologies like spatial computing and immersive technology to create rich, interactive digital experiences that drive real business results,” says Infinite Reality’ s Huber.
“ Overcoming these barriers requires a clear roadmap, strong leadership, and a commitment to cultivating an AI-driven culture throughout the organisation,” continues Dataiku’ s Bhatia.
One of the biggest misconceptions holding enterprises back is the belief that AI requires vast amounts of data to be effective. While more data can improve performance, the gains eventually become marginal.
Many organisations struggle to link their AI initiatives to tangible business outcomes, leading to stalled strategies and halted investments. Without a clear understanding of the return on investment from AI initiatives, companies risk failing to justify their expenditures.
Enterprises fail to establish clear success metrics for their AI investments. AI is often treated as a technological experiment rather than a business enabler, leading to a lack of alignment between AI initiatives and corporate strategy.
“ Many AI solutions today come pre-trained, leveraging anonymised data from existing users, meaning businesses can start seeing value without waiting to accumulate large datasets,” says JAGGAER’ s Mosbeh.
“ Another challenge is hesitation; some organisations still see AI as a future technology rather than a tool delivering immediate benefits. This delay gives competitors a significant head start. Businesses that wait too long risk missing out on efficiency gains, cost reductions, and strategic insights,” adds Mosbeh.
“ The inability to keep up with AI innovations can result in misaligned spending, wasted resources, and missed
Failure often comes down to unclear objectives and poor stakeholder alignment. If AI adoption is not
54 INTELLIGENTCIO MIDDLE EAST www. intelligentcio. com