1. Barriers to adoption
Any significant technological advancements, such as AI, require organizational change in skills, culture, and establishing new processes.
In this video, we will learn the role of executive sponsorship and AI champions in successfully adopting AI projects.
2. Components of an effective AI strategy
Let’s revisit what we have learned so far.
An effective AI strategy involves the following components:
Awareness of the possibilities, capabilities, and limitations of AI
3. Components of an effective AI strategy
Access to the right data
4. Components of an effective AI strategy
Fostering the innovation culture
5. Components of an effective AI strategy
Building a high-performing team
6. Components of an effective AI strategy
Assessing the risks associated with AI
7. Components of an effective AI strategy
Starting small with a PoC before developing at full-scale
8. Components of an effective AI strategy
Modernizing technology and creating systems and processes, commonly called MLOps.
9. The human element in AI
With these foundational elements in place, it's essential to recognize that AI is not just limited to a technical endeavor.
To drive significant business impact, it needs the right advocates—this is where AI champions come into play.
But before we delve deep into understanding what an AI champion does, let's note that an AI strategist can indeed take on the role of an AI champion.
They lead from the front, seamlessly blending strategy with advocacy.
10. Who are AI champions?
The promise of AI has evolved over the years; there's been a growing need for roles focused on advocating for and guiding AI initiatives within organizations.
That's where AI champions come in, and their influence has been gaining significant traction in recent years.
They understand AI’s potential and help both business and tech leaders clear up any misunderstandings or concerns they may have about it.
AI champions often hold the power of position and can get buy-in from stakeholders and decision-makers.
11. Executive leadership
Great, so let us now understand the role of executives in bringing AI transformation.
“Companies serious about AI need an executive sponsor, bringing people along on the journey”, says IBM.
In its C-suite toolkit to empower AI leadership, the World Economic Forum emphasizes the importance of skillfully leading and managing innovation and adoption while minimizing risks.
12. Sponsorship: more than just funding
Sponsors play a key role in forming partnerships by lending credibility and encouraging organization-wide adoption of AI capabilities.
In addition to showing support through advocating the potential of AI, they also provide the funding to sponsor the resources to initiate the project.
13. The trust gap
We have reached a stage where AI has proven its value as a technology but is still one step away from unlocking that value on the ground, which is fostering trust with the business to act on its insights.
14. Metrics & trust
Well, it is time for numbers to speak for themselves. Executives can highlight past successes and the ROI from AI projects, making it easier for the business to trust future insights.
Companies just starting in their AI transformation journey may not have evidence of success from AI in the past. In such cases, learning from industry leaders or peers is the best resort.
AI champions can help bring trust in AI insights by getting end-user feedback and incorporating it into the models.
15. Engagement & transparency
They can also conduct workshops or seminars to answer questions like:
How do AI models work?
How are they trained?
What data is used?
How do they arrive at specific output?
What happens if the AI system fails or makes a wrong prediction?
What is the mechanism to provide feedback?
Such conversations go a long way in generating trust in AI-generated insights and alleviate some concerns that businesses might have.
16. Let's practice!
Now that you've grasped the role of executive sponsorship and AI champions in adopting AI and building trust within the business, it's time to put that knowledge to the test.