So, your company has decided to embrace generative AI - the exciting, much-discussed technology driving innovation across industries. Naturally, you want your first project to succeed and deliver real value, not just hype and sunk costs. To set up for success, your company needs a clear AI strategy that aligns with its business goals. This article will help you start meaningful conversations among business and IT leaders about implementing generative AI initiatives that produce tangible, achievable results.
AI impacts corporate growth strategies, with AI investments expected to double over the next year. Just three years ago, corporate leaders across industries noted that AI spending comprised only 5% of total budgets. By 2025, investments will grow, and half of the surveyed companies plan to increase that share to as much as 25%.
Generative AI investments are already showing promising returns, particularly in operational efficiencies (77%), employee productivity (74%), and customer satisfaction (72%). But to achieve these impressive results, organisations need well-defined AI implementation plans—and, most importantly, a clear vision of where AI will take them.
What is an AI strategy?
Without a solid strategy, an AI pilot project can easily lose momentum before it’s scaled across the organisation. Once the initial excitement fades, leaders might begin to question whether AI on the scale is truly needed in their processes and what value it can bring.
To avoid this common challenge of digital transformation, start with developing an AI strategy. This structured plan outlines how AI will be integrated into your organisation to support your broader business goals.
An AI strategy planning includes the following:
Defining business-related metrics
Assessing organisational readiness
Identifying high-impact AI use cases
Launching pilot projects
Scaling AI deployment
According to Gartner, only 10% of companies experimenting with the new technology are fully mature in their AI adoption. Aspiring generative AI adopters have a lot to learn from these leaders. The key? Taking a strategic, phased approach.