By Betsy Burton
Enterprise Architects: Generative AI is Real Don’t Miss This Opportunity
As Enterprise Architects, we are naturally often wary of new and hyped technologies. I also find that we are so focused on ensuring that new technologies fit into what we have within our technology landscape that we are sometimes overly critical and cautious.
Yes, Generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing and Google Bard have their strengths and weaknesses. In addition, the large language models that support these AI chatbots are still in infancy.
However, it is really important that enterprise architects realize that generative AI truly is a transformative technology domain, and it would be a mistake for EAs to simply ignore or negate their potential impact on the business and the IT landscape.
Generative AI and Its Impact
Generative AI refers to a new collection of tools that can generate a wide variety of content and digital assets. These tools may include customer communications/chat, text content generation, generative search, image, and video, and even code for applications.
Generative AI can be used to create original media content, synthetic data, and models of physical objects. I am hearing about real estate employees using generative AI to generate starter descriptions for homes on the market. I am seeing people use generative AI to get and refine definitions, descriptions, summaries of articles and initial drafts of reports. And of course, we are seeing generative AI being used to generate videos and images.
Generative AI is not perfect, and it has limitations today. However…..and this is a big HOWEVER….
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- We believe that this technology is evolving very rapidly.
- We believe that users, consumers, businesses, and governments will adopt this technology.
- We believe this technology will have a significant impact on how people work, how organizations reach their clients and how businesses create and operate new business models.
Therefore, if EA leaders choose to ignore this technology they will risk being viewed as being less relevant, less impactful and less valuable.
What EA leaders Must Do
EA leaders need to do a few things right now, including:
- Get educated about generative AI and its different use cases. Aragon Research has produced a large number of research notes, video content, webinars and blogs on generative AI, including:
- Four Trends in Generative Content, 2023
- What is Generative Content?
- Five Trends in Digital Labor, 2023
- 4 Frequently Asked Questions About Generative AI
- Leverage the Latest Generative Content Tools and Trends
In addition, EA leaders should feel free to schedule an inquiry with one of our AI specialist.
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- Help your business and technology leaders determine how your business might leverage generative AI, and what the costs and benefits are.
- Determine how users are using generative AI already within the organization and explore how you might help them to ensure they get the quality, reliability, and security that they need.
- Begin to experiment with this technology across business and IT; use this as an opportunity to build cross organizational teams to understand the opportunities and risks.
- Start to explore how generative AI could change or impact your business strategy and architecture.
Bottom Line
Now is not the time for EA leaders to ignore this technology. It is also not time for EA leaders to cross their arms and say, “Flat out no. Generative AI is not ready, its too risky and there are ethical issues.” While these concerns may all be to a certain extent correct, the reality is users and businesses are going to use generative AI because it can make their work easier, and more effective and impactful.
EA leaders must get ahead of their organization and users, to help them find the right usage and solutions. Not as the IT/technology police, but as the trusted advisor, consultant, and guide.
See Betsy and all of Aragon Research’s expert analysts for Transform Tour 2023!
AI Everywhere—Going ChatGPT | Thursday, June 15th @ 10 AM PT \ 1 PM ET
Kickoff the Summer with Aragon Research’s next #TransformTour23 stop!
Since the launch of OpenAI’s GPT service, organizations have been scrambling to put out their own copilot service. In our June Transform Tour, taking place on Thursday, June 15, 2023, we will discuss how Copilots work and how you can define a strategy to support digital labor.
