Helping IT Get the Job Done with AI

September 26, 2024

Written by Eric Krapf, General Manager and Program Co-Chair, Enterprise Connect Publisher

As I look ahead to Enterprise Connect AI next week in Santa Clara, CA, I’m hoping that, more than anything else, the event gives our enterprise attendees confidence – that Generative AI is a technology that can benefit their businesses if approached and implemented thoughtfully; that they can hone the skills that deliver those benefits; and that they can separate the hype from the real opportunities.

To achieve this, when it comes to Generative AI, enterprise IT pros should think like…well, like enterprise IT pros. Gen AI may have changed a lot of things, but it hasn’t changed the basics of the job. Here’s how consultant Melissa Swartz—one of our EC AI presenters—described it in a recent post on No Jitter, aptly titled, Tools Are the Building Blocks of Innovation – But You Still Need to Consider What You’re Building:

“At a high level, an AI project is no different from other projects. Yes, the technology involved is different, and it brings a unique set of challenges. But from a business perspective, AI is just another tool. If your organization has a framework for project success, it should be followed for an AI project the same as any other type of project.”

This hasn’t been easy for enterprises in these early days of Gen AI. Another of our speakers, Mitch Lieberman of Fidelity Investments, is presenting a session entitled, How Do I Make Strategic AI Investment Decisions Today? in which he’ll address the conundrum enterprise IT leaders face: Many parts of the business want fast action on Gen AI, but enterprise IT, for a host of important reasons, is built to vet technologies carefully, which takes time.

But enterprise IT pros can get on with the task of vetting Gen AI. Our EC AI program offers sessions like The AI Assessment: The Critical Path To Charting Your Organization's AI Delivery, delivered by consultant Steve Leaden, which will offer a detailed plan for how enterprise organizations can better ensure they’re set up for success before they embark on their AI journey. And Mitch Lieberman will also be sharing a session with Gary LaSasso, an AI-focused IT leader at Amicus Therapeutics, focusing on Building an AI Culture.

So while Enterprise Connect AI will provide deep dives on critical issues like data readiness, CX applications, and much more, there will also be important conversations aimed at helping you do the IT-centric job of making AI work for your enterprise. There’s still time to register – hope you can join us!