A recent trend of AI task forces has emerged, driven by the growing interest in the potential of generative AI. Despite concerns about AI replacing human labor, McKinsey describes generative AI as an empowerment tool for the global workforce. According to McKinsey’s recent report, generative AI is predicted to automate nearly 70% of business activities across various occupations by 2030, infusing trillions into the global economy.
Organizations such as Disney and the U.S. government are forming generative AI task forces in recognition of its importance to current and future operations and success. These task forces aim to understand how to harness the capabilities of this groundbreaking technology effectively.
A generative AI task force is a cross-disciplined team assembled to assess the potential of AI in driving innovation, improving product quality, and increasing competitiveness in a rapidly changing landscape. They help organizations realize the promises of AI while addressing risks and challenges related to software development and security. They also establish ethical practices for AI usage and redirect the workforce to deliver greater business impact.
Veritone, an AI industry veteran, offers valuable insights on best practices when forming AI task forces. Their experience suggests several key considerations:
Assembling the Right Team
Start by forming a team that possesses deep expertise in the specific AI domain you aim to implement. This expertise ensures accurate decision-making for your product or business case. Analyze your current processes and assess potential AI adoption. This evaluation helps determine the technology’s capabilities, implementation costs, and trade-offs.
Setting Clear Objectives and Identifying Pilot Projects
Build a strong foundation for your approach by asking essential questions about your current technology infrastructure:
- What challenges can AI address in our organization?
- How will AI align with our business goals?
- What are the potential short- and long-term benefits of AI implementation?
Using the answers to these questions, set clear short- and long-term objectives aligned with your business goals. Select a pilot project that is feasible and provides an easy win. Veritone’s customer success story exemplified this approach by integrating gen AI into customer support processes. They automated responses, allowing customization and modification as needed.
After validating the pilot project, companies can scale their gen AI initiatives by identifying other areas that can benefit from the technology. An iterative approach, where testing, learning, and refining occur throughout the process, yields better results and ensures a formidable framework.
Best Practices for AI Task Forces
- Continuous training and learning: Invest in resources and courses to keep your team up-to-date with the latest AI skills and knowledge.
- Collaboration and feedback loop: Create regular check-ins with stakeholders and establish mechanisms for feedback to enable continuous refinement.
- Scalability and maintenance: Develop strategies for scalability, consistent maintenance, and updates to build a robust AI framework.
- Performance metrics: Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and benchmarks specific to each project to measure success accurately.
- Ethical considerations: Ensure transparency, data privacy, and address inherent biases in AI models. Establish ethical standards for the safe use of AI internally and externally, promoting workforce augmentation or refocus instead of replacement.
- Feasibility study: Conduct a thorough AI assessment, evaluate technological infrastructure, and gauge the financial implications to make informed decisions.
It’s important to note that buzz often leads to unrealistic expectations. Understanding the capabilities of generative AI and managing stakeholders’ expectations is crucial. Overestimating AI’s capabilities can extend development lifecycles and result in negative user experiences.
Ultimately, every organization will utilize AI differently. Therefore, it is necessary to gather the right people, establish systems that yield tangible results, and promote accountability to ensure maximum return on investment. Seeking guidance from AI experts who have years of experience can also provide an essential accelerant to stay ahead of the competition.
Veritone, with its extensive experience in supporting clients across multiple sectors, including the federal government, aims to help organizations understand the potential of AI for their business as early as possible. To learn more, download Veritone’s free AI task force guide.
Ryan Steelberg is CEO & President at Veritone.
