Hey there, future AI wizards! So, you’re itching to dive into an AI project but are stuck in the “idea phase,” huh? Don’t sweat it; great ideas sometimes pop up over time. Sometimes, they take days or even weeks to materialise. But fear not, I’ve got a foolproof framework to help you brainstorm killer AI projects that can revolutionize your business. Let’s get into it!
The Two Circles of Truth
Picture this: one circle represents what AI can actually do, and another represents what’s valuable for your business. The sweet spot? The overlap between these two circles. That’s where you’ll find projects that are both doable and valuable. AI pros know the ins and outs of the tech, while your business experts know what will drive value. So, gather a dream team of both to brainstorm ideas that sit in this magical intersection.
The Power of Cross-Functional Teams
These aren’t just any teams; they’re cross-functional teams, baby! That means you’ve got AI nerds and business gurus working in harmony. Together, they can pinpoint projects that are not just feasible but also beneficial for your business. It’s like having the Avengers of AI and business strategy all in one room!
Task Automation vs. Job Automation: A Paradigm Shift
The media loves to dramatize the narrative of AI as the “job-stealer,” but let’s flip the script. Instead of looking at AI as a technology that automates entire jobs, let’s focus on task automation. Why is this shift in perspective so important? Well, it’s all about granularity and impact. Let’s unpack this.
The Call Center Conundrum
Imagine a call center. It’s not just a room full of people answering phones; it’s a complex ecosystem of tasks. Agents are juggling calls, responding to emails, issuing refunds, and so much more. Now, if you were to think about automating the “job” of a call center agent, you’d quickly hit a wall. Why? Because the job is too multifaceted. But what if you zero in on a single task, like call routing? That’s a task that AI can handle brilliantly, sorting incoming calls based on the issue and directing them to the most qualified agent. By focusing on automating this specific task, you can make the entire call center more efficient without replacing human agents.
The Radiologist’s Dilemma
Let’s take another example: radiologists. The media often portrays AI as a threat to this profession, but let’s get real. Radiologists do a lot more than just read X-rays. They consult with other doctors, engage in ongoing education, and sometimes even interact directly with patients. If you focus on automating the “job,” you miss out on the nuances. But if you focus on a specific task—like reading X-rays—you can use AI to assist radiologists, making their job easier and more accurate.
The Benefits of Task-Centric Thinking
When you shift your focus from job automation to task automation, several good things happen:
- Precision: You can pinpoint exactly where AI can be most effective.
- Acceptance: Employees are less likely to resist AI if they see it as a tool that helps them, rather than replaces them.
- Quick Wins: Task automation often requires less time and resources compared to full job automation, allowing for quicker implementation and ROI.
The Three Golden Questions: Your AI Project Compass
When it comes to brainstorming AI projects, you need more than just a room full of smart people. You need direction, a sort of compass to guide your brainstorming session. That’s where the “Three Golden Questions” come into play. These aren’t just any questions; they’re the questions that can make or break your AI project. Let’s break them down one by one.
1. What Drives Business Value?
This is the million-dollar question, literally. Understanding what drives value for your business is like finding a treasure map. It points you to where you should be digging. Is it customer satisfaction? Is it operational efficiency? Or perhaps it’s market expansion? Once you identify this, you can start thinking about how AI can augment these value drivers. For example, if customer satisfaction is a key driver, an AI chatbot for instant customer service could be a game-changer.
2. What Are the Main Pain Points?
Every business has its Achilles’ heel, the pain points that keep CEOs up at night. It could be high operational costs, low employee engagement, or even a sluggish supply chain. The trick is to identify these pain points and then ask, “Can AI fix this?” If your supply chain is the issue, perhaps AI can optimize logistics. If it’s customer churn, maybe predictive analytics can identify at-risk customers before they jump ship.
3. Can AI Solve Any of These?
This is the reality check question. It’s great to have a list of business drivers and pain points, but not all can be solved with AI. This question helps you sift through your list to identify which challenges are actually solvable through AI. It’s like having a sieve that filters out the ‘AI-impossible’ from the ‘AI-possible.’ For instance, AI might not be able to improve a toxic workplace culture, but it could automate tedious data entry tasks that are bringing your team down.
Why These Questions Matter
These Three Golden Questions serve as your guiding light in the often foggy journey of AI project selection. They help you focus on what’s important, what’s urgent, and what’s feasible. By systematically answering these questions, you’re not just brainstorming; you’re strategizing. You’re setting the stage for an AI project that’s not just a cool tech experiment, but a meaningful business initiative.
The Big Data Myth
You might think you need heaps of data to get started with AI. While more data is usually better, it’s not a deal-breaker. Even with a small dataset, you can make progress. For instance, if you’re building an AI system to inspect coffee mugs, you don’t need a million pictures of defective mugs. Sometimes, a few hundred—or even a few dozen—can get you started.
The Final Takeaway
So there you have it—a rock-solid framework to help you brainstorm AI projects that are both doable and valuable. Once you’ve got a list of potential projects, the next step is to pick one (or a few) and get cracking!
