How to Turn AI into Value for Your Organization

Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer transformative potential for organizations. However, realizing this potential requires a strategic approach to problem formulation, defining business cases, asking the right questions, and identifying value creation.

This guide will provide a structured framework to help leaders navigate these steps effectively.

Formulating the Problem

Identifying Pain Points

Start by identifying specific pain points or inefficiencies within your organization. This understanding forms the foundation for applying AI solutions effectively.

Example: A government agency may struggle with inefficient data processing and analysis, leading to delays in policy implementation. The pain point here is the manual handling of vast amounts of data, which hampers timely decision-making. Government agencies often deal with massive datasets that require processing to derive actionable insights. Traditional methods can be slow and error-prone, leading to delays in critical areas such as healthcare, social services, and urban planning. By pinpointing these inefficiencies, AI can be leveraged to streamline data processing, improve accuracy, and expedite policy implementation.

Defining Clear Objectives

Define clear, measurable objectives once the pain points are identified. Objectives should be specific, achievable, and aligned with your strategic goals.

Example: The objective for the government agency could be to improve data processing efficiency by 40% within the next year through the implementation of AI-powered data analytics. This objective aligns with broader government goals of increasing transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness. By setting a clear target, such as a 40% improvement, the agency can track progress and measure the impact of AI implementation.

Defining an AI Business Case

Assessing Value Proposition

Your AI project should have a clear value proposition. Determine whether you are developing a new AI-powered product to generate revenue or enhancing an existing process to cut costs.

Example: In our government scenario, the value proposition is enhancing existing data processing methods to improve efficiency and reduce delays in policy implementation. This value proposition highlights how AI can transform government operations, leading to more timely and effective public services. The focus is on using AI to optimize current processes rather than creating new products, aligning with the agency's mission to serve the public efficiently.

Evaluating Feasibility

Assess the feasibility of your AI project by considering:

• Cost of Development and Deployment: Evaluate the financial investment required for AI development and implementation.

• Domain Knowledge: Ensure your team has the necessary expertise to execute and maintain the AI solution.

• Data Acquisition: Assess the availability and quality of data needed for your AI model.

Example: For the government agency, a feasibility study might reveal that while the initial investment in AI analytics software is significant, the long-term savings in processing time and improved policy outcomes justify the expenditure. This step involves a detailed cost-benefit analysis to ensure that the AI project is financially viable and strategically sound. Understanding the necessary investments and potential returns is crucial for gaining stakeholder support.

Asking the Right Questions

Automation Potential

Identify tasks that can be automated to increase efficiency and reduce human error.

Example: Automating the review of regulatory compliance reports in financial regulatory bodies to ensure faster and more accurate assessments. Financial regulatory bodies handle vast amounts of compliance data. Automating the review process with AI can significantly reduce the time and effort required to identify non-compliance issues, ensuring quicker and more accurate regulatory enforcement.

Predictive Capabilities

Determine if AI can help forecast future trends and outcomes, enabling better strategic planning and decision-making.

Example: Using AI to predict trends in educational performance, allows schools to proactively address areas where students may struggle. AI can analyze historical student performance data to identify patterns and predict future outcomes. This enables educators to implement targeted interventions, improving overall educational outcomes and addressing achievement gaps.

Personalized Recommendations

Explore the potential of AI to provide personalized recommendations, enhance customer experiences, and drive engagement.

Example: Implementing AI-driven personalized learning plans in education to cater to individual student needs and learning paces. Personalized learning plans can adapt to each student's strengths and weaknesses, providing tailored educational experiences. AI can continuously assess student progress and adjust learning paths in real time, ensuring optimal educational outcomes.

New Business Opportunities

Identify opportunities where AI can enable new business avenues that were not possible before.

Example: Developing AI-powered public service applications that provide citizens with personalized information and services based on their needs. AI can transform how government services are delivered by creating applications that offer personalized advice and support to citizens. For example, AI can help citizens navigate complex government services, find relevant information quickly, and access personalized support.

Preventive Measures

Use predictive analytics to anticipate and prevent issues, enhancing operational efficiency and public satisfaction.

Example: Employing AI to predict and prevent financial fraud, ensuring greater security and trust in financial regulatory systems. Financial regulators can use AI to analyze transaction data and detect patterns indicative of fraud. This proactive approach helps prevent financial crimes and maintains the integrity of financial systems, protecting consumers and institutions alike.

Identifying AI's Value Creation

At this stage, it is essential to use frameworks that help identify and prioritize high-impact AI projects. Refer to the diagram below for a visual representation

Saving Time with Process Automation

Automating repetitive tasks with AI can free up valuable time for employees to focus on strategic initiatives.

Example: Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in government agencies can handle routine data entry, allowing human workers to focus on policy analysis and development. Government employees often spend considerable time on routine tasks. RPA can automate these processes, enabling employees to engage in higher-value activities that require human judgment and expertise.

Reducing Costs 

Example: Financial regulatory bodies can use AI to predict and mitigate risks, reducing the costs associated with financial crises. By using AI to predict potential financial risks, regulatory bodies can take preemptive actions to mitigate these risks, avoiding costly financial crises and maintaining economic stability.

Increasing Revenue with Predictive Marketing

AI can analyze data to identify trends and opportunities, enabling targeted marketing campaigns that drive engagement and funding.

Example: Educational institutions can use AI to identify potential donors and tailor fundraising campaigns, increasing contributions and revenue. AI can analyze alumni data to identify those most likely to contribute to fundraising efforts. By targeting these individuals with personalized campaigns, educational institutions can increase their fundraising success and support institutional growth.

Improving Quality of Service and Products

AI can optimize processes and reduce errors, enhancing the quality of services provided.

Example: Governments can use AI to streamline citizen services, ensuring accurate and timely responses to public inquiries. AI can improve the efficiency and accuracy of public service delivery, reducing wait times and ensuring that citizens receive accurate information quickly. This enhances public trust and satisfaction with government services.

Ensuring Robust 24/7 Operation

AI-powered systems can operate continuously, providing consistent performance and reliability.

Example: AI chatbots and agents in financial services offer round-the-clock support, improving customer service availability. Financial institutions can use AI chatbots to provide 24/7 customer support, ensuring that clients receive assistance whenever they need it. This improves customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Enhancing Lives through Personalization

AI can personalize services, improving user experiences and quality of life.

Example: AI-driven learning platforms in education can adapt to each student's learning style, making education more effective and enjoyable. Personalized learning platforms can offer tailored educational experiences, improving student engagement and outcomes. AI can continuously adapt to individual learning needs, providing a more effective and enjoyable educational journey.

Refer to the table below for additional examples of how AI creates value:

Strategic Implementation of AI

Integrating Human and Machine Intelligence

For effective AI deployment, integrate human intelligence with machine intelligence. Use AI for high-confidence tasks and involve humans for moderate-confidence tasks.

Example: In financial regulation, if AI is 95% certain of a fraudulent transaction, it can automatically flag it. For 70% confidence, involve a human analyst for further review. This approach ensures that AI is used where it is most effective, while human judgment is applied to more nuanced decisions. This combination leverages the strengths of both AI and human intelligence, ensuring optimal outcomes.

Selecting the Right AI Projects

Prioritize AI projects based on their impact and feasibility. High-impact, feasible projects should be your focus.

Impact of AI Project:

• Value Created: Assess potential benefits like cost savings, increased efficiency, and improved quality.

• Business Feasibility: Evaluate the costs of development, deployment, training, and maintenance.

Example: For a financial regulatory body, the high impact of fraud prevention and the feasibility of implementing AI detection tools make it a priority project. Prioritizing projects based on their potential impact and feasibility ensures that resources are allocated to initiatives that will deliver the greatest value. This strategic approach maximizes the return on investment in AI technologies.

Conclusion

By strategically implementing AI and combining human and machine intelligence, organizations can drive efficiency, reduce costs, enhance customer experiences, and increase engagement. Leaders must formulate clear problems, define strong AI business cases, ask the right questions, and identify the value AI will create. This strategic approach ensures AI initiatives are both impactful and feasible, ultimately transforming your organization and driving significant value.

By following these guidelines, leaders can effectively turn AI into a powerful tool for achieving strategic objectives and creating substantial value.

About the Author

Sam Obeidat:  AI Strategy Expert, Technology Product Lead, Investor, and a Venture Builder.

Sam Obeidat is an internationally recognized expert in AI strategy, a visionary futurist, and a technology product leader. He has spearheaded the development of 12+ cutting-edge AI technology solutions across various sectors, including education, fintech, investment management, government, defense, and healthcare.

With over 15,000 leaders coached and more than 40 AI strategies developed for governments and elite organizations in Europe, MENA, Canada, and the US, Sam has a profound impact on the global AI landscape. He is passionate about empowering leaders to responsibly implement ethical and safe AI, ensuring that humans remain at the center of these advancements.

Currently, Sam leads World AI X, where he and his team are dedicated to helping leaders across all sectors shape the future of their industries. They provide the tools and knowledge necessary for these leaders to prepare their organizations for the rapidly evolving AI-driven world and maintain a competitive edge.

Through World AI X, Sam runs a 6-week executive program designed to transform professionals into next-gen leaders within their domains. Additionally, he is at the forefront of the World AI Council, building a global community of leaders committed to shaping the future of AI.

Sam strongly believes that leaders and organizations from all sectors must be prepared now to drive innovation and competitiveness in the AI future.

Connect with Sam Obeidat on LinkedIn or by email at [email protected] 

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