Last month, the Ankura artificial intelligence (AI) team hosted a roundtable forum with some of the most forward-thinking leaders in the AI landscape. This meeting featured experts with titles such as head of AI, AI director, chief information officer (CIO), chief technology officer (CTO), and the discussions centered around building AI-ready enterprises.
Here are the top five takeaways from this roundtable forum. Rapid Adoption and Strategic Integration:
We are seeing significant momentum in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption as organizations are recognizing AI's potential to transform business operations and adopting corporate structures that involve roles like “Chief AI Officer.” Companies are increasingly integrating AI into their core strategies, which requires leadership and thoughtful planning to align AI initiatives with business objectives while ensuring security and ethical considerations are addressed.
- AI Governance and Security:
- Governance and security are paramount as AI systems become more pervasive. The need for comprehensive frameworks to manage AI-related risks, particularly around data privacy and security, has never been more prominent. Organizations face the dilemma of whether to upskill existing employees or hire specialized AI security experts. Effective governance is crucial for preventing unauthorized data access and misuse, and that includes setting clear policies on AI use, monitoring AI interactions, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
- Challenges of Data Classification and Governance:
- Accurate data classification is essential for effective AI deployment, especially in sectors like insurance and healthcare where sensitive information is prevalent. The ability to classify and govern data ensures AI systems can operate within defined parameters, maintaining privacy and compliance. Investing in AI-driven data classification tools to automate and improve accuracy is incredibly important, as it reduces the burden on human resources and enables more efficient data management.
- Balancing Innovation and Risk:
- There are significant risks in bypassing traditional security checks in the rush to deploy AI solutions. It is paramount to avoid succumbing to the hype and ensure that AI deployments are accompanied by robust security measures. This includes conducting thorough risk assessments and implementing best practices in AI security to prevent vulnerabilities. The balance between pushing for innovation and maintaining security is crucial to avoid potential industry disasters.
- AI as a Tool for Efficiency and ROI:
- While AI's transformative capabilities are exciting, its most practical applications often lie in enhancing operational efficiency. Automating routine tasks like document processing can lead to significant cost savings and increased productivity. Organizations are not only looking at AI for cutting-edge solutions but also as a means to drive efficiency and improve return on investment (ROI). This pragmatic approach allows businesses to benefit from AI's capabilities while justifying investments to stakeholders focused on tangible returns.
© Copyright 2025. The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not necessarily the views of Ankura Consulting Group, LLC., its management, its subsidiaries, its affiliates, or its other professionals. Ankura is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice.
