EDITOR’S QUESTION
RUDEON SNELL, SENIOR
DIRECTOR: INDUSTRIES
AND CUSTOMER
ADVISORY, SAP MENA
Q + A + Q + A + Q + A + Q + A + Q + A + Q + A + Q + A +
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and by
extension Machine Learning has
established itself in every business
sphere and every industry around the
globe. Its applications range from object
recognition, workflow automation,
conversational interfaces and selflearning
capabilities to preventing highend
cybersecurity threats, helping
combat climate change and fighting
the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is important to note that framing the
desired business outcome and seeing if
AI can assist in optimally achieving that
outcome, is key to AI driving real business
value today. By prioritising and leading
with business value, AI can be used to drive
business outcomes that matter to the top
and bottom line of an enterprise. Assessing
your capability as an organisation to
implement AI-based solutions through pilot
programmes, skills and resources is key to
successful delivery. AI is not a panacea, but
rather one tool in the toolbox, that can be
used to drive business outcomes that
help realise the transformative purpose of
an organisation.
Data is the foundation upon which AI or
Machine Learning is built. Machine Learning
systems need data, they feed off data,
they cannot exist without data. Larger and
more diverse data sets help AI and Machine
Learning algorithms to learn better and drive
more optimal outcomes for businesses. By
automating key processes and capabilities,
companies are able to service their
customers better and more effectively. Think
about a AI-powered chatbot being able to
run 24/7 on a company’s website assisting
their call centre with customer queries.
For starters, more computing capability,
power, availability and sheer scale has
enabled Machine Learning algorithms
to tackle more ambitious problems than
ever before. The rise of cloud computing
has accelerated the adoption of AI and
Machine Learning by enterprises. What
used to be run in specialised labs with
access to super computers can now be
accessed by small businesses, through the
cloud at a fraction of the cost and much
more easily. Companies are now beginning
to grasp the significant impact this
technology can have in helping them make
better, faster and more efficient decisions.
For CIOs and IT heads, it is imperative to
lead with business value when ever they
are deploying a Machine Learning system
or any other technology for that matter.
Machine Learning is a tool that can be used
to drive business outcomes that matter to
the organisation. By leading with business
value and showcasing how potential
solutions are able to impact the metrics
that matter to the organisation, whether
“
FOR CIOS AND
IT HEADS, IT IS
IMPERATIVE
TO LEAD WITH
BUSINESS VALUE
WHEN EVER THEY
ARE DEPLOYING
A MACHINE
LEARNING
SYSTEM OR
ANY OTHER
TECHNOLOGY FOR
THAT MATTER.
they are internal or external Machine
Learning solutions, it will provide CIOs and
IT leaders with the credibility among their
peers for how technology can drive business
differentiating capabilities that move the
organisation forward.
Early adopters that are able to lead
with business value and differential
capabilities will have significant advantage
over those who do not. Exploring new
capabilities, prototyping differentiated
value propositions, driving iterative value
realisation through Machine Learning
powered systems, solving business problems
and building trust in the solutions, will all be
key to AI and Machine Learning adoption
and consumption in the MENA region.
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