Artificial intelligence (AI) is not just a technology seen in futuristic Hollywood films involving AI-powered robots and super-intelligent machines -- it's now an increasingly mainstream technology that is being used by companies you probably interact with on a daily basis. Facebook, for example, uses AI for image recognition, while Netflix uses AI to make content recommendations. So it's perhaps no surprise that AI can also be used for a wide range of other functions, including business development and strategic partnerships. My company creates AI solutions including predictive analytics, natural language processing and virtual sales assistants. Here are some of the benefits and downsides I've noticed in these technologies -- and how to tell whether they have a place in your organization as either a built or bought solution.