Artificial intelligence is all well and good, but where to start?

The goal of artificial intelligence is to eliminate certain tasks altogether by replacing them with technology and automation! (Photo: 123RF)

GUEST BLOG. I have been immersed in the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem in Quebec for more than 5 years now. Having almost always worked in technology during my career, it is probably normal that I was quickly seduced by the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence.

Like many, I immediately saw the immense potential of this technology for industries of all kinds. After some in-depth reading on the subject, I knew it was going to be a game changer forever and turn the business world upside down as we know it!

Today, I believe that a majority of Quebec and Canadian companies have understood that time is running out and that it is time to get moving. However, I understand that the many steps of a shift to AI can seem laborious and it is normal to seek help in this process.

In my last blog post, I addressed the question of “who” should carry your AI files in your company to maximize your chances of completing them, and more importantly, achieving the desired results. This month, I'm going to help you get your first AI projects in order and identify where it could have a significant impact!

There are so many use cases that it can certainly seem complex to navigate. The first thing to remember is that you need to look at your organization with new and even different eyes. The objective here is not to make the hyper-detailed plan (mapping) of all your processes in order to optimize microtasks, or to change the order of your operations to make small gains here and there.

The goal is rather to eliminate certain tasks altogether by replacing them with technology and automation! It's a very different mentality, but essential to seize the opportunities brought by a digital transformation and the automation of your ways of doing things. Artificial intelligence makes it possible to do things differently, and very often to replace humans where they are not at their best.

Here are a few ideas that can inspire you and give you ideas for starting a technological shift with AI. These are often classic small victories and applicable to many areas of business:

1. If you struggle with paper everywhere in your business, consider digitizing this data.
2. Do you have Excel files with which you manage critical processes in your business? If so, be aware that not all the data contained in these files can be used to optimize your processes or to launch your first AI projects. You absolutely must stop using Excel as a management software and make sure you have your business data in a database provided for this purpose. Excel is just a spreadsheet, nothing more!
3. If you still use your eyes to do quality assurance, it's high time to entrust that to the machine! Humans really aren't good at continuously looking at objects to find faults or validate dimensions.
4. If your planning operations are done by humans, it's is certain that this is not optimal. When it comes to calculation and analysis of many variables, the machine will always be better, and above all much faster.

Now, if you're wondering where to look to find your first d IA, you just have to apply a few simple principles. First, start by looking at the places where you make a lot of money, i.e. the processes that are high paying in your business model.

Next, look for expensive processes that are costing you profits. Both of these places are usually great starting points for using technologies like AI to optimize yourself. The reason is very simple: as a general rule, technologies will bring you gains of around 3% to 5%. Obviously, projects with such gains are much easier to make profitable if they are applied to very profitable or very expensive processes...

Also ask yourself what is hurting your business. What are its weak links? Which of your tasks have become too dependent on humans and would benefit from being automated? Once these questions are answered, you will already have a better understanding of your business model and where technologies can have a big impact!

There is one last point that I would like to clarify with you. Too often, I am contacted on LinkedIn asking for advice on this very specific question: is it easy to become an AI expert? The answer is no. Do not become an AI expert who wants to, at least not without having completed the necessary studies, which means at least a master's degree and ideally a doctorate or post-doctorate in the field.

The belief that a few online courses on Udemy or Coursera will allow you to become a data scientist worthy of the name is unfortunately an illusion. Be vigilant and take the time to carefully validate the CVs of the so-called “AI experts” that you hire or that your suppliers refer to you.

Basically, what you need to remember is that technologies are mature and they must be seen as an essential ally to the prosperity of your business. The world is changing at an incredible speed, and it is more crucial than ever to initiate a technological shift to ensure the success of your business model for the coming years.

All you have to do is surround yourself with strong partners and set up an action plan that will seek out the full potential of artificial intelligence and new technologies. Be innovative, be bold, get moving before it's too late. In fact, no business can afford to lose this digital transformation race!