How to measure maturity in Artificial Intelligence in business

Currently, much is said about artificial intelligence (AI) and the benefits it has brought to various sectors and companies. Still,the operational maturity in AI of a company is important for several reasons. Firstly, allows for an accurate assessment of the starting point, helping to identify where the company stands in relation to best practices and the state of the art.  

Operational maturity in AI refers to the level of development and integration of artificial intelligence technologies within an organization. This concept encompasses a company's ability to adopt and use artificial intelligence effectively to improve processes, make data-driven decisions and innovate in your products and services. 

Companies with high maturity not only implement advanced technologies, but also cultivate an organizational culture that values data and insights, has a robust technological infrastructure, and has trained teams to explore the full potential of artificial intelligence. Achieving operational maturity involves a continuous process of technological evolution, strategic adaptation and development of internal competencies

OnesurveyMcKinsey shows that companies with high maturity in artificial intelligence are 3 to 5 times more likely to be leaders in their respective industries. Furthermore, Deloitte data claims that companies that are at more advanced stages of AI maturity can increase productivity by up to 40%

This assessment also facilitates the efficient allocation of resources, allowing the company to focus its efforts on the areas that need development the most. When identifying gaps and opportunities, the organization can prioritize initiatives that will bring greater impact and value

OnestudyForrester reveals that 56% of companies consider measuring maturity essential to optimize investments and improve operational effectiveness. With an assessment of operational maturity, it is possible to develop a detailed and structured roadmap for the adoption of AI, including phases, frameworks and success metrics that will guide the implementation in an orderly and strategic manner

What are the benefits of measuring AI maturity? 

Furthermore, measurement facilitates the cultural change necessary in the organization, promoting a culture of innovation and adaptation. Continuously monitoring maturity allows for adjusting strategies as needed, ensuring a continuous and sustained improvement in the adoption of AI. This also helps to mitigate risks, anticipating and avoiding problems that could compromise the success of the projects, declares the Business Director at Keyrus, Paulo Simon. 

Companies with a high level of maturity are better positioned to take advantage of the competitive advantages that technology offers. Evaluating and improving this operation helps the company remain competitive and fully explore its potential. According toPwC, the effective adoption of AI can add up to US$ 15,7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Finally, ensuring that the tool is aligned with the company's strategic objectives ensures that efforts contribute directly to business goals and generate tangible value

For Paulo, measuring operational maturity is essential for an effective and strategic adoption of technology, ensuring that the company is well prepared to face the challenges and seize the opportunities that artificial intelligence offers

Operational Maturity Stages in AI

1. Initial recognition

• Culture of awareness:The company promotes an internal culture of awareness about the concepts and benefits of artificial intelligence and machine-generated artificial intelligence (GenAI)
• Education and training:Education and training initiatives are carried out for employees at all levels, a fim de aumentar a compreensão sobre AI/GenAI e seu potencial impacto nos negócios
• Feasibility assessment:The company conducts preliminary assessments to identify potential areas where implementation can bring significant benefits

2. Sectoral implementation

• Implementation strategy: A empresa desenvolve uma estratégia clara para implementar IA/GenAI em áreas específicas, aligned with your business objectives and overall strategy
• Integration with existing processes: IA/GenAI é integrada de forma suave e eficiente nos processos existentes da empresa, optimizing workflows and improving operational efficiency
• Impact measurement:KPIs and metrics are established to measure the impact of the implementation, including increased efficiency, cost reduction and improvement of customer experience

3. Initial exploration

• Controlled experimentationControlled experiments and pilot projects are conducted to explore applicability and feasibility in real business scenarios
• Evaluation of results: thethe results of the pilot projects are rigorously evaluated to determine success and effectiveness in achieving the defined business objectives
• Feedback and learning:The company leverages feedback from pilot projects to learn and adjust its approach as it continues to explore the tool

4. Organizational expansion

• Governance and change management:A empresa implementa uma estrutura de governança robusta e eficaz para supervisionar a expansão de IA/GenAI em toda a organização e gerenciar efetivamente a mudança organizacional associada.
• Investment in infrastructure and talent:Significant investments are made in technological infrastructure and in the hiring and development of specialized talents in the area
• Scalability strategy:The strategy is designed to scale effectively as it spreads throughout the organization, ensuring that the systems handle the increase in workload

5. Advanced operations

• Holistic automation:is integrated into all aspects of the company's operations, covering everything from internal processes to interactions with clients and partners
• Data-driven decision making:decisions are informed by data and insights generated by algorithms, resulting in more accurate and effective decisions
• Continuous innovationThe company adopts a continuous innovation approach, constantly exploring new applications and advancements to maintain a competitive edge

6. Liderança em IA/GenAI

• Culture of innovation:The company cultivates a culture of innovation and experimentation, onde o uso de IA/GenAI é incentivado e valorizado em todos os níveis da organização
• Strategic partnerships:Strategic partnerships are established with market leaders to access specialized knowledge, cutting-edge resources and technologies
• Vision of the future:The company maintains a vision for the future, constantly exploring the boundaries of technology and seeking ways to apply AI to create new business models and transform entire sectors

Measuring operational maturity is essential for companies to position themselves competitively in the current market. Understanding the current stage and outlining a strategic path optimizes resources and maximizes results

By following the six stages of maturity, companies can evolve from initial awareness to robust leadership in AI, ensuring a successful adoption and promoting a culture of continuous innovation. This structured approach mitigates risks and allows capitalizing on the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence, making measurement an essential strategy for sustainable growth and future success, concluded Simon