Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most important advancements when it comes to innovation. The magnitude of its impact is reaffirmed by hundreds of market professionals. The 2024 research "Before IT, Strategy," presented by IT Forum Inteligência in June of this year, shows that 49% of the 308 respondents consider Artificial Intelligence "very important" for business – a relevance reiterated by the projected investment of US$200 billion by next year in technology companies, according to the IDC Worldwide Artificial Intelligence Spending Guide.
Belonging to the technology sector, it's common to think that those responsible for creating new AI applications are the developers, right? Well, I say no. For solutions to be developed effectively, the direction must come from those who understand the business's pain points.
Let me explain. The team leading projects in a given area possesses the necessary knowledge to identify where AI can generate the greatest impact. They know the market needs, customer demands, and the specific challenges of each segment. Without a clear understanding of how the solution should function, the process cannot flow smoothly. Recently, NetApp sponsored the study "Scaling AI Initiatives Responsibly: The Critical Role of Intelligent Data Infrastructure," which showed that 20% of AI projects fail without data infrastructure.
Research with this focus is crucial to reinforce the need for the business team to dictate how AI solutions should be directed to solve real problems, increase efficiency, and generate tangible value. On the other hand, IT professionals, with their technical expertise, transform these ideas into reality, ensuring that the technology works effectively. After
clarifying who designs the solution and who develops it, it's important to highlight the synergy between the two areas. Collaboration between strategy and technology is fundamental to the successful application of the tool. It's not just about creating the technology, but about ensuring it is implemented safely and efficiently.
Another point reinforcing the need for business leaders to be at the forefront of creating AI solutions is that these solutions are not universal. What is effective in the financial industry may not work for retail or healthcare. Therefore, the business, with its sector knowledge, guides the development of these solutions so that they meet the specific needs of each segment.
Finally, frequent monitoring by developers and feedback from the business is essential for the continued effectiveness and evolution of the tool. Since technological solutions are constantly evolving, a single tool and version will not deliver the expected effectiveness and evolution forever.
When those at the forefront of the business understand how AI can be applied to their operations, communication with the development team flows smoothly. In this way, misunderstandings or communication failures are minimized or even eliminated. Clarity about the needs and objectives of the solution allows the technical team to deliver tools more aligned with specific needs, resulting in more agile projects with a higher return on investment.
Artificial Intelligence on the boardroom table.
