As AI becomes increasingly beneficial and even necessary for businesses, many are left wondering how to implement AI solutions. Who should be responsible for managing AI? What is the role of information technology in artificial intelligence? Information technology and artificial intelligence help each other perform more efficiently by combining human intelligence with machine intelligence. Information technology performed by humans is not in competition with artificial intelligence, but rather in close relationship, as IT leaders take responsibility for adopting, managing, and optimizing AI solutions in their organizations. 

Why Is Artificial Intelligence an Information Technology Concern?

Artificial intelligence can play a vital role in cybersecurity, digital transformation, data communication, customer experiences, and more. In other words, AI can help support a wide variety of IT initiatives and concerns. It is defining more and more emerging technologies and their applications across various industries, allowing organizations to improve operations and freeing up human workers for other tasks.

But artificial intelligence, especially that involving machine learning, requires human oversight. While AI can process large amounts of data faster and more accurately than humans, it struggles with creative problem solving, complex thinking, common sense, spatial and temporal reasoning, and human relationships. This work is best left to humans.

In addition, AI performs best when it is restricted to a narrow field of work. Humans, on the other hand, can possess a wide variety of intelligences and, therefore, perform a wide variety of tasks. Artificial intelligence can be deployed to handle specific tasks for us, augment our operations, and provide us with insights and recommendations, but it will be up to humans to manage and make use of this technology.

This oversight defines much of the role of information technology in artificial intelligence. Not only that, but IT leaders are also responsible for identifying current inefficiencies at their organizations, finding technology solutions, and explaining their value and results to key stakeholders. AI is providing more and more of these solutions, requiring increasing involvement of information technology in artificial intelligence.

4 Tips to Optimize the Role of Information Technology in Artificial Intelligence

Whether your organization is just starting to adopt AI solutions or is looking to make the most of them, there are several ways to optimize the role of information technology in artificial intelligence initiatives.

1. Create Realistic Goals

The first step IT should take when implementing AI solutions is to create realistic goals. These goals should take into account your company’s budget and provide generous time constraints.

It is important not to rush or stretch your company’s resources too thin. Be sure to invest in artificial intelligence technologies that are specific to the needs of your company. If possible, focus on implementing one AI strategy at a time, and build a timeline around your team’s abilities and budget.

For any AI solutions that will be used by or affect non-IT employees, factor in the time it will take to introduce them to this technology. Often, companies underestimate how long adequate training will take and the adjustment period for employees, which can temporarily slow down productivity.

2. Bring In IT and AI Experts

Depending on the complexity of the AI involved and the human management it requires, your IT team may need outside help from AI specialists. Assess your team’s abilities and capacity honestly, and compare it to the needs of the project at hand.

The role of information technology in artificial intelligence is invaluable, even when your IT team needs to consult AI professionals. Your IT team can provide insights into your business’ goals, operations, and IT infrastructure, which will help shape any AI initiatives you undertake.

3. Use AI Regularly

There are many everyday tasks that can be made faster and more efficient with artificial intelligence. These include spam filtering, process automation, smart personal assistants (such as Siri, Cortana, and Google Now), automated responders and online customer support, security monitoring, and voice or facial recognition.

IT leaders should always be on the lookout for more ways they can take advantage of the power of AI. Not only can this provide your organization with new insights and optimized processes, but also it can take a number of tasks off your IT team’s plate, giving them more time for other projects.

4. Be Adaptable to Evolving Technologies

When considering the role of information technology in artificial intelligence, it is important to be adaptable to evolving technologies and practices. New AI models, technologies, and processes are being created all the time. In order to function at the highest level of efficiency and stay competitive with other businesses, make sure your IT team is up to date with new AI innovations and offerings.

5. Communicate Effectively

For AI to become a significant part of an organization, IT leaders need to be able to communicate effectively about it, both to employees and stakeholders. Consider these tips:

• Clearly explain how the AI solution will affect customers, employees, and stakeholders, especially its value and benefits.
• Reassure employees that they will receive proper training on how to use any new technology, as well as IT support, and reassure them that AI won’t replace them.
• Align the goals and outcomes of the AI initiative with the overall mission, vision, and goals of your organization.
• Use specific examples, figures, and data to help explain outcomes in a concrete way and establish proper expectations.
• Be honest about any limitations or challenges with AI technology, and share how you plan to address them.
• Define what success will look like for the AI initiative.
• Invest employees and stakeholders in their roles in new AI initiatives and be clear about their responsibilities.

The Benefits of Artificial Intelligence in Information Technology

The benefits of artificial intelligence in information technology are endless. Implementing advanced artificial intelligence into your company’s systems can save time, reduce costs, and allow your IT team to optimize its operations.

The role of information technology in artificial intelligence exists in three main functions: optimizing your company’s business operations, improving customer service, and making informed security decisions.

Artificial intelligence can send out automated communications to customers and employees. Chatbots are an extremely popular way to use artificial intelligence to enhance customer service. Chatbots are used to streamline and organize customer requests so that an IT team can respond quickly and appropriately. In some cases, chatbots are even able to solve the issues, allowing IT workers to focus on more complex tasks.

Another benefit of artificial intelligence is that it never sleeps. AI can free up time during the workday to focus on critical tasks, taking on tedious work such as onboarding and offboarding network users, spam filtering, and proactive cyber monitoring. It can monitor discrepancies in network usage and links to detect security risks, as well as create tickets for humans in IT to investigate and resolve. Artificial intelligence is also a great option for processing large amounts of data in minutes, even seconds!

Artificial intelligence is reshaping IT and ultimately helping information technology leaders build stronger foundations. The development and deployment of complex and highly efficient technology systems are made possible by the advanced algorithmic functions of artificial intelligence today.

The Future of Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence

In the very near future, artificial intelligence will have a significant impact on every business. The role of information technology in artificial intelligence will become a necessity for a wide variety of businesses.

The diversity of AI technologies allows them to be implemented across many different industries. In marketing, artificial intelligence can sort consumers by demographics, target ads based on browsing history, and power chatbots. In sales, AI can forecast sales, predict customer needs, and improve communication. In research and development, AI can be used to collect and analyze data in order to make a researcher’s job more efficient. Artificial intelligence can even help manage building temperatures and use motion sensors to detect building activities.

Contact Sentient Digital, Inc. for IT and AI Solutions

Are you ready to optimize the role of information technology in artificial intelligence at your organization? Sentient Digital, Inc. can help!

We specialize in artificial intelligence and offer customized solutions to improve your business’ operations and solve your problems. If your IT department requires assistance to support its AI initiatives, our staff augmentation can help fill in the gaps. If you need custom AI software developed, our experts are here to help.

Contact us online or call Sentient Digital, Inc. today at 504-308-1464 to discover how artificial intelligence can help your business.