AI Fail, Perot’s Passing

Been wondering how all those AI deployments are going in the enterprise?

According to a story reported by VentureBeat, and a study conducted by IDC, of all the organizations already using AI, only 25 percent have developed an “enterprise-wide” AI strategy. 

And, the study found among those in the process of deploying AI, a “substantial number of projects are doomed to fail.”

The background:

IDC’s Artificial Intelligence Global Adoption Trends & Strategies report, which was published today, summarizes the results of a May 2019 survey of 2,473 organizations that use AI solutions in their operations. It chiefly focused on respondents’ AI strategy, culture, and implementation challenges, as well as their AI data readiness initiatives and the production deployment trends expected to experience growth in the next two years.

The analysis:

“Organizations that embrace AI will drive better customer engagements and have accelerated rates of innovation, higher competitiveness, higher margins, and productive employees,” said IDC Artificial Intelligence Strategies vice president Ritu Jyoti. “Organizations worldwide must evaluate their vision and transform their people, processes, technology, and data readiness to unleash the power of AI and thrive in the digital era.”

The blockers:

Firms blamed the cost of AI solutions, a lack of qualified workers, and biased data as the principal blockers impeding AI adoption internally. Respondents identified skills shortages and unrealistic expectations as the top two reasons for failure, in fact, with a full quarter reporting up to 50% failure rate.

Also today, the passing of an icon in the IT industry, H. Ross Perot, one-time IBM salesman, self-made Texas billionaire, 1992 and 1996 U.S. presidential candidate and founder of Electronic Data Systems Corp.

We’ll never forget those colorful charts, or your unique manner of communications. RIP, Mr. Perot.