By: Luis Gonçalves, president of Dell Technologies Latin America
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a fundamental tool to transform industries and improve business competitiveness. In Latin America, this reality is no different. According to the study Dell Technologies Innovation CatalystsAI adoption presents both significant challenges and exceptional opportunities for businesses in the region.
A remarkable 78% of the companies surveyed prioritize AI within their IT budgets, and many are dedicating new financial resources to related projects. The benefits are clear: improved productivity, optimized interaction with customers and advances in cybersecurity, among others.
However, one of the biggest challenges identified by leaders of this transformation is the lack of skills and knowledge needed to drive AI. This was stated by 34% of respondents in our study. AI fluency, understood as the ability to understand when, where and how to use AI tools safely and responsibly, is essential. Despite this, only 58% of companies consider that their employees have this competence.
The Role of the Chief AI Officer (CAIO)
In this context of rapid technological evolution, the role of the Chief AI Officer (CAIO) emerges.1The CAIO is responsible for leading the organization’s AI strategy, ensuring that projects are aligned with business objectives and implemented safely and efficiently.
CAIOs not only focus on technology, but also play a crucial role in integrating AI into the company’s culture and operations. This includes educating employees on the benefits and risks of AI, ensuring data strategies are robust, and fostering an open and collaborative approach to innovation.
Based on shared experience with our most cutting-edge clients, several key considerations and responsibilities stand out in this role:
- Understanding AI StrategyIt is critical for the CAIO to understand the organization’s overall AI strategy. This involves clearly defining the desired AI goals and outcomes, as well as establishing criteria for data quality and processes for identifying it. This clarity facilitates decision-making on the AI governance model, data strategy, and technology investments needed for future success.
- Adaptive and personalized approachThere is no one-size-fits-all solution for organizations when it comes to AI adoption. The CAIO must recognize the variations across AI use cases, tailoring infrastructure investments and cloud deployment to the specific needs of each situation. This includes everything from large, industrial-speak models to smaller models designed to operate efficiently on-premises or at the edge of the network.
- Holistic Approach to AI. The CAIO must address AI from multiple perspectives:
- Business dimension: Recognize the transformative potential of AI and its application in appropriate use cases. Obtaining leadership buy-in is crucial, involving departments beyond technical, such as HR, legal and communications, to strategically align AI adoption.
- Technological dimension: Develop a deep understanding of AI technology and its ability to solve real-world problems, ensuring that technical implementations are effective and efficient.
- Human dimension: Clearly communicate the purpose behind the AI strategy to employees, customers and partners, generating support and internal collaboration that facilitates organizational transformation towards more effective and differentiated ways of working.
- Promoting openness in AI innovation. Fostering a broad and open ecosystem is essential to driving AI innovation. Collaboration and access to open models and technologies can significantly accelerate AI progress and adoption within the organization, as well as across industry and government at large.
At Dell Technologies, we are committed to supporting companies in the region on their path to innovation. Through an ecosystem of trusted partners and advanced technological solutions, we help organizations build secure and scalable technological foundations, essential for success in the AI era.
These considerations reflect the CAIO’s strategic role in balancing the promises and mitigating the risks associated with AI implementation. As more organizations adopt this function within their executive structure, the CAIO’s guidance will be critical to successfully navigating this new technological era.
