Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) have become two fast-track routes to innovation across businesses. But too often, they're implemented ad hoc, or too slowly--a result of developing AI from scratch within small sections of their organization. Instead, instilling a framework of machine learning operations within your organization is a key way to more holistically integrate the use of AI and machine learning into your day-to-day business operations. "AI maturity is not optional," says Kia Javanmardian, senior partner at QuantumBlack, McKinsey & Company's AI arm, which helps companies unlock performance through operational ML capabilities. "It is correlated with returns."