Open Your Eyes to AI
An executive shared an incredibly poignant observation with me this week on #AI and the recent deluge of news, blogs, and posts about #ChatGPT, #BARD, and all of the other generative AI hitting the market.💬 “It’s like our eyes are opening for the first time.” 👀
The sentiment and weight behind the statement was palpable on a call with this team of leaders. Unpacking and reflecting on it further, I walked away with three observations:
1️⃣ You are not alone.
Many leaders are contemplating the practicalities and impacts of machine learning, data science, or AI in a vacuum. For as widely as it is being discussed in tech circles and in online forums, conversations aren’t happening as frequently across organizations or amongst teams. AI adoption hasn’t hit a critical mass in the everyday market. And for many leaders, it may feel like they are the only one feeling ill equipped to manage and evolve in the new data-driven world we find ourselves in.
From the conversations I’ve had with leaders and experts across industries and sectors, it is actually the common refrain that is echoed over and over again. What we need to do next is to be vulnerable and have more conversations with others about our questions, fears, and ideas for the transformative opportunities and risks that AI present.
2️⃣ You are not behind.
Many leaders worry that others are way ahead. They saw a competitor release a blog post or another firm’s marketing piece about their expertise and immediately fear they can’t catch up.
In reality, most businesses and nonprofits outside of the tech/software development space are still discovering how AI can improve their work. The big Fortune 500 companies and tech startup unicorns have teams of engineers and data scientists building advanced algorithms… but then there are the rest of us. Even if you’re firm hasn’t embraced the data science movement in the last few years, you are in good company.
3️⃣ You should have cautious optimism.
As we like to say at Expedition Analytics, working with data is an adventure. And the potential of AI can be huge and daunting. Those who resonate with the opening quote likely feel like they are staring out over the Grand Canyon or standing at the base of the Alps. AI can help solve complex problems, automate tedious tasks, and enhance productivity in many ways. But it also has risks for privacy, bias, and transparency when it is locked in a “black box” with no oversight. There are absolutely amazing ways your team can adopt an AI-forward frame of mind and incorporate it into your workflows, but also keep a healthy amount of caution as you venture into the wilderness along a path that may have some pitfalls along the way.
