SearchBy Jim Kerr, Senior Vice President of Growth
In June, eimagine hosted an executive-level dinner at Provision in Indianapolis, bringing together local tech leaders to explore the theme of “Accelerating AI.” This event marked the beginning of our effort to more strongly connect with tech leaders in our headquarters area, focusing on driving better and faster business value by accelerating AI adoption in our clients’ business enterprises. The evening brought together tech leaders from both the public and private sectors, fostering engaging discussions on how to leverage AI technologies for business success. Jennifer Martinez, AI Strategist from Microsoft, set the stage with a framework that reduced the broad topic of AI and large language modeling to a more manageable discussion on how to get started and increase adoption to drive more business value across enterprises.
Event Recap
The event was held in an intimate and focused setting, fostering an atmosphere conducive to deep, strategic thinking. Jennifer Martinez, Data and AI Strategist from Microsoft, provided a 20-30 minute grounding session that created a collaborative discussion. Initially, conversations took place at individual tables during dinner, which later morphed into a room-wide dialogue. Participants shared their understanding of AI technologies and real-world examples of how these technologies are already being used by various commercial clients and public entities. This collaborative environment allowed attendees to help one another by sharing insights on leveraging AI for business value.
Key Discussion Points
Understanding GPT
We kicked off by demystifying GPT (Generative Pretrained Transformer) and clarifying that while ChatGPT is a product from a specific company, GPT itself represents a broader technology with vast applications.
General vs. Generative AI
We highlighted the importance of distinguishing between General AI, often seen as the ‘end-of-the-world’ AI, and Generative AI, which we can use today to solve real-world problems. Generative AI offers practical solutions for enhancing client experiences and operational efficiency.
Value Adds of Accelerating AI
The discussion underscored several value propositions of AI:
- Enhanced Search and Response Quality: AI can significantly improve the accuracy and relevance of search results.
- Staff Hours Saved: Automating routine tasks frees employees to focus on higher-value activities.
- Faster Investigations: AI speeds up data analysis and investigative processes.
- Improved Structure and Formatting: AI tools help standardize documents and reports, improving overall quality.
Reinventing Business Processes
AI presents an opportunity to enrich employee experiences, reinvent customer engagement, reshape business processes, and drive innovation. AI-powered tools like Microsoft’s Copilot are emerging as essential as email and SharePoint, underscoring the need to familiarize oneself with these technologies now.
Balancing Value and Risk
Much of the evening was spent discussing the importance of accelerating AI adoption within various business enterprises. Attendees shared examples of their AI initiatives, ranging from pilot phases to full-scale implementations. The consensus was that balancing business value and risk is crucial, but there’s a clear necessity to move forward with AI adoption to maintain a competitive edge. Eimagine is committed to facilitating these discussions and expanding the group to include more tech leaders from our client base.
Is Your Data Ready?
A critical takeaway was the emphasis on data readiness as the fuel for AI. Organizations must assess their data readiness to fully leverage AI’s capabilities, which involves ensuring data quality, accessibility, and addressing data privacy and security concerns. Most organizations are still at the point where they need to get their data ready to make data-fueled decisions. However, some recognize that data readiness is an ongoing process and are committed to moving forward with AI adoption, focusing on quick pilots to prove value and scale successful initiatives.
Conclusion
Our first executive-level dinner was a resounding success, setting the stage for ongoing conversations about AI and its strategic implications. We are committed to continuing these discussions, focusing on AI’s role in accountability, shared vision, and thought leadership among local tech leaders.
Plans for future CXO dinners are already underway, with a commitment to keep the conversation around AI active and evolving. For those interested in participating or learning more, we invite you to visit our Contact Us page.
We look forward to fostering a collaborative community of tech leaders who are ready to embrace the future of AI and drive business value through leveraging technology.
#eimagineBetter
