Implementing AI

Technology is dramatically changing the world that we live in. Emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, Robotics, Virtual and Augmented Reality and Blockchain are driving this change.

Digital transformation is at the forefront of business agendas around the world irrespective of their sectors. It involves the exploitation of the latest developments in technology, communications and data to enhance existing business models, service offerings and cultures – or introducing entirely new ones.

Implementing a digital strategy across an organisation, and the successful adoption of emerging technologies such as AI, can be complicated and unpredictable.

There are a number of steps an organisation can take to manage such change and implement an effective digital transformation programme, including the following:

• Plan to upskill staff, change the organisational structure (as appropriate), recruit digital skillsets and build digital assets.
• Manage internal resources by way of an inventory and consider the digital infrastructure that should be built or acquired as part of the transformation process.
• Document the assets being brought to the table by the business and consider the gaps to be filled by third parties.
• Create a roadmap - plan a route from start to BAU, including implementation phases, noting the above information and any gaps identified during this process. Maintain and update this map on a regular basis to note changes in the organisation or market.

Each of these steps involves a combination of various elements, including data and intellectual property. The following sections go into more detail on the various elements of an AI system and the broader elements a business will need to think about before, during and after implementation of an AI system.

Current at 20 November 2020