Artificial intelligence is all about the future, including assessing the future value of the AI systems we implement today. When business leaders think about what AI can do for business, it’s usually highly well-marketed instances that stem from very well-defined pieces of the sector, such as the world’s best chess player losing to an AI program.
However, it’s important to note that while AI can solve a problem like chess, it’s because the game has a distinct endpoint. Unfortunately, most issues that pop up in business and Fortune 500 companies do not have a definite measurable outcome. So, you can see where the primary circulating examples of AI and what it can do for your company could be very different.
Most businesses face real-life problems, such as successful product launches and improving customer experience. In short, the topics are sketchy and, at the very least, complex, with the potential for various undefined outcomes. The challenge comes in gauging the ROI on an acquisition when the result of that investment in itself is unclear.
If business leaders don’t understand the core of the business problem that they want to solve, then it’s impossible to determine ROI from a perspective that isn’t financial. The framing of your problem is essential, as there are open-ended issues where AI and ML were not previously in use.
To eradicate questions involving your ROI for AI, you have to pinpoint exactly what your business question entails. Knowing if AI can positively add to your solution is the first step in determining if it’s worth your time.