10 things Microsoft has learned from users about using AI to enhance their businesses

Artificial intelligence can make a huge difference in a company, from fixing large challenges to fundamentally changing a business model, there’s no doubt about it. That’s why, two years ago, Microsoft established AI Business School to advise important decision-makers across sectors on strategy, culture, responsibility, and other vital themes.

It’s no easy task to use AI comprehensively and successfully, and we certainly don’t have all the answers. However, through our work with company leaders through AI Business School and in customer interactions, we’ve come across a few companies that have set the standard for what an AI-powered organization can be.

That’s why we developed Best of Business AI 2021: to highlight clients that have demonstrated how to develop a complete plan and execute it across the company to generate business value and momentum via digital transformation. Best of Business AI 2021 is based on the AI Business School principles and showcases ten clients that are advancing their AI journey by aligning their business goals and technological capabilities via great leadership.

Involve everyone in your organization

AI is not simply an issue for technical teams or leadership, according to companies that have effectively used it. They undertake in-depth discussions with workers to determine how each department of the company might benefit and how it can be harmed. Outokumpu has been involving workers from the start, and it now offers them access to data and AI models so they may make the best decisions possible in their daily job.

“You have to get trust from the leadership team, talk to people about the rollout, and get everyone on board,” says Stefan Erdmann, Chief Technology Officer of Outokumpu.

Use AI to increase business value

AI may assist you in solving complex challenges, but it also has the potential to open up new avenues for development and success. HOCHTIEF is monetizing its new AI competence by providing AI applications as a service to consumers.

“We’ll bring all of these solutions to market, and we’ll have a new business model,” says David Koch, HOCHTIEF’s Chief Risk, Organization, and Innovation Officer.

Choose a strategic starting point

Begin by identifying the best use case for AI, and then make sure you’re sharing your findings regularly. At CES 2019, Bell demonstrated its vision for AI and how it may impact the business and industry through an augmented reality experience. The firm and the IT world were both enthralled by the event, and the company has continued to build on that enthusiasm by making steady progress toward its big goals.

“Highly iterative, incremental proofs of concept—demonstrating something every three to six months—are the greatest approach to get and maintain the attention and endorsements from senior leadership,” explains Matt Holvey, Senior Manager of Intelligent Systems at Bell.

Bring business and technology together

Everyone in your company is there because of their knowledge and experience. Empower them to collaborate, invent, and contribute to the development of innovative AI solutions. For the biggest effect, AI specialists and product experts collaborated with Mondelez International.

“On one side, we have our data science, modeling, and simulation expertise,” explains Rob Hargrove, Executive Vice President of Research, Development, and Quality at Mondelz International. In our product teams, we have professionals in biscuit, chocolate, gum, and candy creation. Neither side has a complete understanding of the other’s role. So they understand that they can’t function in silos because neither side will succeed.”

Put values into action

The usage of AI, like other major technical advancements, might have unexpected effects, such as privacy concerns and security vulnerabilities. Implement principles, practices, tools, and governance to assist your business in anticipating and minimizing risk, as well as ensuring that the outcome is consistent with your values. Developing governance tools and procedures at AXA was not only the proper thing to do, but it also allowed the organization to learn more about their business and how they might best serve their consumers.

“It is our job to appropriately manage the data that our customers choose to share with us,” says Jerome Lafon, AXA’s Head of Connected Car Business Domain, Data and Tech Innovation.

Work with other entities

Responsible AI implementation frequently requires collaboration with other enterprises, connection with end-users, and coordination with government agencies. Seek advice from others and apply what you’ve learned to help others when you can. OceanMind is a non-profit organization that collaborates with other organizations to better understand the effects of human activities on the seas.

“We can utilize AI to assist enforce fisheries legislation and to help authorities make better judgments,” says Kanit Naksung, Director of Fish Quarantine and Fishing Vessels Inspection Division at the Thailand Department of Fisheries, which is cooperating with OceanMind.

Prove it, then scale it

Once you’ve shown that something works, invest in spreading it throughout your company. Invest time and money in analyzing AI technologies and creating ways to expand their reach. At DHL, this included putting in place the necessary infrastructure, as well as providing assistance and communication as the project progressed from proof of concept through productization.

“We are adopting such mature digital solutions in practically every one of our sites,” says Markus Voss, CIO, and COO of DHL Supply Chain. Every client, every facility, and every one of our staff should be aware that the world of the supply chain is changing.”

Prioritize for the most impact

You won’t be able to tackle all of your problems at once, so prioritize your efforts by weighing the costs and advantages before establishing how you’ll measure progress. You may discover, as CSIRO did, that AI is in high demand worldwide, but it’s critical to pick it properly so that your work has genuine benefit.

“Everyone wants to work with our AI experts, both within the organization and outside CSIRO,” says Jon Whittle, Director of CSIRO’s Data61. “The danger is that you get pulled in too many different directions, and you are no longer able to make a difference in any area because you tried to do too many things.”

Empower everyone

Good ideas may occur from everywhere, which is why Grab’s “AI everywhere” strategy is working so well. Non-technical personnel collaborates with experts to transform concepts into reality.

“You truly unleash the potential of AI when people accept and have belief in what you’re trying to achieve with it,” says Wui Ngiap Foo, Grab’s Head of Technology.

Put your data to work

Data may be utilized in unexpected ways to enable human skills to be enhanced and scaled. For WPP’s designers and marketers, data generated inspiration and new ideas, allowing them to be even more creative.

“Data isn’t dull; it can inspire and amaze,” says Di Mayze, WPP’s Global Head of Data & AI. And that’s exactly what we want: data and creativity to collaborate and celebrate together! ”

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