Not too long ago, “AI” was little more than a film title to most people. In terms of a description, you might have gotten the odd tech-savvy individual talking a bit about intelligent machines and robots and the like but for the most part, nothing specific.
Today, AI is transforming our world. From computers defeating human chess masters to Google Analytics to driverless cars, we are seeing what is effectively the beginning of the next phase of the technological revolution.
Wide open field
While not yet mature, AI is coming into its own. More and more business leaders are coming to understand the potential of smart machines, the enormity of big data, and the game-changing impact of the Internet of Things. Companies are now achieving unprecedented efficiency and competitiveness; more than ever, success can be had by virtually any sufficiently motivated, intelligent, data-empowered enterprise.
Data is not insight
Companies today gather data from the web and social media, or depending on the industry, from equipment and sensors, factories, sales, and even employee and customer wearables.
Data, regardless of whether it is viewed in isolation or in the context of the entirety of a company’s data, has value. But strictly speaking it is not information and is definitely not insight.
People who make decisions aren’t looking for raw data. They want to know what’s going on in the market and with customers. Spreadsheets and dashboards are fine and look impressive, but on their own they don’t impart wisdom.
Human insight, machine scale
Companies can spend small fortunes on big data — purchasing the tools to gather it and paying brilliant people to sit down and use those tools to extract a few nuggets of intelligence. However, this method screams inefficiency.
Considering how big data is set to explode over the next few years, the future-facing organization must evolve from data-driven reporting that does not scale to one that involves gleaning human insight at machine scale.
This is where AI comes in.
Timely webinar
Join SalesChoice CEO and Founder Cindy Gordon on Thursday, November 23, 2017, between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm ET, for “Defining and Demystifying AI Within the Channel.” In this session, Gordon will discuss:
- how the channel ecosystem can successfully incorporate new AI opportunities;
- the basics of AI and how to understand the new language of AI;
- how AI can be used as a tactical tool to build and manage success in the channel; and
- the potential AI unleashes for channel partners and high-tech vendors in the areas of deal registration, service and support, sales pipeline, and deal sizes
SalesChoice is a SaaS-based predictive and prescriptive analytics company based in Toronto that increases the performance of B2B sales. Dr. Cindy Gordon is an expert in SaaS, business innovation, early-stage software commercialization, and sales business practices. She has held senior leadership roles at Accenture, Xerox and Citicorp.
Register now for “Defining and Demystifying AI Within the Channel.”
