iTWire - AI deployments pick up, but still low usage: Gartner

"Despite huge levels of interest in AI technologies, current implementations remain at quite low levels," said Whit Andrews, research vice-president and distinguished analyst at Gartner. "However, there is potential for strong growth as CIOs begin piloting AI programmes through a combination of buy, build and outsource efforts." "Don't fall into the trap of primarily seeking hard outcomes, such as direct financial gains, with AI projects," said Andrews. "In general, it's best to start AI projects with a small scope and aim for'soft' outcomes, such as process improvements, customer satisfaction or financial benchmarking." Big technological advances are often historically associated with a reduction in staff head count. While reducing labour costs is attractive to business executives, it is likely to create resistance from those whose jobs appear to be at risk.