Some Topics just need more time and attention, and Artificial Intelligence seems to be in the news on a regular basis so I figured I would spend a little time on this topic and give you my take. Many of you know, if you follow our blogs or have seen my presentations lately, that I have completely bought into Artificial Intelligence… and while the hype has died down just a little, the impact of AI on General Informatics has been measurable.
Currently, at General Informatics have two LLM’s embedded in our Intranet site, and I must share they are trained quite well, with minimal effort. We have utilized AI for internal questions that get posed to Human Resources regularly, and our resident expert Meghan Landry will answer those questions flawlessly at any time of day. Meghan is so good, in fact she is even getting press at CRN, the leading Technology association group in the world. Check out the article here.Â
Our strategy at General Informatics was to first use Artificial Intelligence internally and decide if this is a product that we can monetize or at least allow it to supplement other tools that we use. Some of those tools that we use from 3rd parties were already talking about adding AI to the already base level AI and Machine Learning that existed within their products. Tools like Remote Monitoring and cybersecurity tools were and still are great examples. We did a little research and found a few articles from Gartner and others which allowed us to put together the following approach. Â
Alignment and Insight:
Make sure first you have alignment and buy-in from your Executive Leadership as well as mid-level management to put together a successful AI strategy.
Investment and Feasibility:
It’s crucial to plot use cases based on their feasibility and value to the business. This helps in identifying which opportunities offer the best value for the investment of time and resources. Some of the highlighted use cases include: 
- Price optimization
- Value analysis
- Sales forecasting
- Knowledge management
- Cross-selling & upselling
- Relationship intelligenceÂ
Foundation for Innovation:
Whether the best solution involves updated analytics, process improvements, or deploying an AI app, it’s essential to create a foundation for impactful innovation.
Value of Process:
Sometimes, the cost of moving forward with a change might not be worth its impact. This doesn’t indicate failure but rather shows the value of the process. It’s essential to know when not to waste resources on something of little to no value.
Reviewing Insights and Stakeholders:
It’s crucial to review insights with stakeholders to gain additional context and address their questions.Â
Now, If I were to set some priorities for business owners specifically, it likely wouldn’t far too astray from common sense or intuition at this point. In an effort to further clarify how we went about it at General Informatics and how you might consider doing it as well, I put together the following guide:  Â
- Ensure alignment and buy-in before starting the AI journey.Â
- Evaluate use cases based on their feasibility and business value.Â
- Lay a strong foundation for innovation. This, in my opinion is the biggest and most strategic decision we as business owners need to make.
- Should we begin to build our own LLM, much like we are building Data Lakes or Data Warehouses? Â
- Should we wait for AI to just show up in all the LOB apps that we use already? Like if my PSA tool suddenly institutes an AI Chatbot that could be customer facing, is that a more cost-effective approach.
- Is it just too early to tell?
- Recognize the value of the process and be ready to pivot when necessary.
- Engage with stakeholders regularly and address their concerns.Â
Remember that the journey into the realm of Artificial Intelligence is not just a trend; it’s a transformative path that can revolutionize the way you operate and thrive. As we look more closely at AI, we find ourselves at the crossroads of innovation and strategy.
AI, with its immense potential, has already made its mark on numerous businesses, and it’s time for us to harness its power strategically. Let’s begin the journey to be deliberate about our strategy and the decisions that we make around AI and communicate what your internal policies will be. Transparency is key because your staff may already be wondering if their jobs are going to be replaced in the age of AI.
Now, as you contemplate your priorities, remember that while intuition is a valuable guide, it’s augmented by data-driven decisions. Should you build your own AI solutions or wait for them to integrate seamlessly into existing tools? The answer may vary, but the key is to remain adaptable.
Remember that General Informatics is equipped to help not only consult with you on what your Artificial Intelligence Strategy should be, we already have tools like our Chatbots, Data Miners and purpose focused applications that can help you and your company solve very specific needs. Â Let’s move forward with confidence, embracing AI as a powerful tool in our quest for success. Together, we’ll write a brighter and more prosperous future for our businesses and industries. The future is AI, and it’s ours to shape.
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