EDITOR ’ S QUESTION
WHAT PITFALLS SHOULD CIOS AVOID WHEN DEPLOYING AI TOOLS IN THEIR ORGANISATIONS ?
Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) has enormous potential to augment human intelligence and to radically alter how we access products and services , gather information , make products , and interact . In emerging markets , AI offers an opportunity to lower costs and barriers to entry for businesses and deliver innovative business models that can leapfrog traditional solutions and reach the underserved . With technology-based solutions increasingly important to economic development
in many nations , the goals of ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity may become dependent on harnessing the power of AI . While emerging markets are already using basic AI technologies to solve critical development challenges , much more can be done , and private sector solutions will be critical to scaling new business models , developing new ways of delivering services , and increasing local markets ’ competitiveness . All of these solutions require innovative approaches to expand opportunities and mitigate risks associated with this new technology .
Hriday Ravindranath , Managing Director , Global Portfolio , Digital and AMEA , BT , said AI – the simulation of human intelligence by machines – is going beyond automation , where a machine is programmed to complete a specific task , to now include learning from experiences , reasoning and self-correction . Ravindranath said this is leading to augmented intelligence , where technology is supporting and enhancing the human understanding . While globally there is an immersive mindset change to AI emerging , many business leaders across the Middle East and Africa ( MEA ) remain sceptical , citing concerns around the potential negative impact on jobs .
Rudie Opperman , Manager Engineering and Training , Middle East and Africa – Axis Communications , said the optimism around AI is widely spoken of and almost becoming a household name in so many industries . “ Most people will easily gravitate towards the promises it brings and the improvements it could potentially deliver . From our perspective in the realm of security and IoT , we cannot deny that the potential benefits are real and promising ,” he said .
According to Opperman , CIOs in the Middle East and Africa ( MEA ) can improve their positioning with AI by starting to build trust and aligning with suppliers and manufacturers who have clearly demonstrated their commitment to a smarter and safer world . “ Other important topics like sustainability and cyber security needs to be roped into these AI discussions and the potential risks also need to be weighed against the potential benefits ,” he said .
At Heriot-Watt University Dubai , Stephen Gill , Academic Head of the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences , said it is no secret that the massive digitalisation shift accelerated by COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges to CIOs . Gill said faced with an unpredictable market and new variables , reference to historical data proved futile . “ With business priorities significantly shifting and employees ’ tasks changing accordingly , driving automation , among other technological adjustments , has proved to be the way forward . “ To succeed in this new business climate , CIOs must create new business models that can get their organisations up to speed with market conditions . Fortunately , AI is capable of utilising real-time data to build solutions suitable to the current business climate ,” he said .
26 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www . intelligentcio . com