By Amit Luthra, Managing Director – India, Lenovo ISG
In today’s digital age, data is the new fuel, and AI is the accelerator propelling businesses forward. Data empowers leaders with insights for informed decisions and deeper customer understanding. AI further enhances this capability, enabling companies to innovate products, optimise operations, and elevate customer experiences. According to a report byINDIAai, businesses are increasingly adopting AI to navigate the complex intersections of technological innovation, data management, and sustainability.
The explosion of data is undeniable. It is being created, stored, and shared at unprecedented rates, with its volume and diversity expanding continuously. Traditionally, data has been siloed across various storage devices and cloud platforms, making it challenging to extract meaningful insights. However, this is changing with the advent of AI technologies.
The power of AI in data analysis
AI can synthesise data from multiple sources, such as public clouds and edge devices, to provide a unified view that enhances decision-making. For instance, a retail store can use AI to analyse customer purchase histories from cloud data and real-time foot traffic patterns from edge data, optimising marketing strategies. AI also enhances data quality by standardising and improving accuracy, uncovering hidden patterns, and predicting trends. For example, an insurance company can use AI to analyse customer data and predict risks, enabling personalised insurance plans.
Business leaders and CIOs are prioritising AI adoption for these reasons. A recent study reveals that 95% of CIOs in India are confident that AI will create a competitive advantage. As more businesses adopt AI, the imperative to build a robust, AI-ready IT infrastructure grows stronger.
Integrating AI as a strategic priority
AI revolutionises business operations by transforming vast amounts of raw data into actionable insights swiftly and accurately. This capability enhances operational efficiency and drives innovation. Integrating AI into IT infrastructure as a strategic priority allows businesses to process data from multiple sources, making it accessible anywhere. This empowers data-driven decisions that align with business strategies, unlock competitive advantages, personalise customer experiences, and fuel growth.
Businesses can integrate AI strategically by investing in AI-ready infrastructure, leveraging comprehensive AI solutions, and fostering innovation through strategic programs and partnerships. This approach ensures secure and efficient data processing, overcomes deployment complexities, and maximises data potential, ultimately increasing competitiveness in the digital age.
Building an AI-ready infrastructure
Transitioning from traditional data centers to AI-ready infrastructure extends beyond the data center to the edge. IT leaders must ensure their infrastructure is AI-ready by assessing data accessibility, processing power, and security. Adopting comprehensive AI solutions and services facilitates this transition, combining the expertise of business advisors, data scientists, and cutting-edge AI technology to optimise AI workloads seamlessly.
Embracing responsible AI
Responsible AI addresses ethical, fair, privacy-preserving, secure, and explainable AI systems. Businesses can establish dedicated committees to define AI principles and oversee their implementation, focusing on Diversity & Inclusion, Privacy & Security, Accountability & Reliability, Explainability, Transparency, and Environmental & Social Impact. These principles guide the evaluation of AI projects, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Conclusion
The convergence of data and AI transforms raw information into actionable insights, driving innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Prioritising responsible AI practices and building AI-ready infrastructures ensures ethical and secure AI deployment. Embracing a data-driven approach enables companies to stay competitive, deliver personalised experiences, and achieve sustainable growth. The future belongs to those who turn data and AI challenges into opportunities and impactful actions.