By Betsy Burton
Understanding AI Architecture in 2024
As we step into the new year, the pervasive use of artificial intelligence (AI) in applications and services continues to evolve. The trajectory indicates that AI will increasingly permeate our work environments, communities, and homes, reshaping the way we operate.
In this era, the adoption of AI architecture is set to become a pivotal element for organizations as part of their enterprise and business structure. But what exactly does this entail, and how can organizations effectively foster a robust AI architecture in 2024?
Defining AI Architecture for 2024
AI architecture stands as a discipline focused on devising strategies, providing guidance, setting boundaries, and offering inspiration for the management and utilization of AI.
In essence, an individual dedicated to practicing AI architecture, an AI architect, serves as a trusted advisor across the entire organizational spectrum, determining when, how, and if both business and technology sectors should incorporate AI.
It’s crucial not to perceive it as a static deliverable or document. Supporting an AI Architecture is an ongoing discipline involving the creation of frameworks that steer AI usage (such as Toolkit End User Principles for AI Use).
It’s a continuous effort, adapting alongside the evolution of businesses, people, and technology.
The audience for AI architecture deliverables encompasses business leaders, technology leaders, end users, developers, service and technology providers, business partners, and even customers.
Characteristics of AI Architecture
The domain of AI architecture must revolve around comprehending the business strategy, the business ecosystem, individuals (customers, employees, partners), processes, information, and technology. Contrary to common belief, AI architecture isn’t solely about AI technologies. The major challenges in AI often revolve around information quality and integrity, ethics, change management, security, and governance.
While many organizations will rightly integrate AI architecture into their enterprise architecture initiatives, even those lacking a well-established EA practice must adopt AI architecture. This is because the pervasive influence of AI, affecting people, processes, information, and technology across organizational landscapes.
The Scope of AI Architecture
Architectural work typically spans multiple levels, progressing from strategic to implementation details. AI architecture, too, must align with the business strategy, necessitating strategic-level work.
However, we find that the bulk of AI architecture efforts must be focused on the contextual, conceptual, and logical levels. The nitty-gritty implementation details fall within the purview of specialists in their respective domains.
For instance, an AI architect might offer guidance to a Human Capital Management business manager on leveraging AI capabilities from providers like Oracle or Salesforce.
The business manager would then collaborate with service providers to delve into implementation specifics, involving the AI architect as needed to resolve issues.
Bottom Line
AI architecture is no longer a choice; it’s a necessity for organizations in 2024. Failure to support it can result in the inability to manage AI, wasted resources on ineffective AI initiatives, and flawed implementations that may lead to detrimental business outcomes.
On October 23, 2023, I hosted a webinar delving into AI architecture and the pivotal role of an AI architect titled “Decoding the Role: AI Architect vs. Solution & Application Architects.”
I would encourage you to listen to this webinar as we discussed how AI architects drive value within businesses and outlined principles essential for supporting AI endeavors.
Get Ready for 2024 with Aragon’s 2024 Q1 Research Agenda!
Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 at 10 AM PT | 1 PM ET
Aragon Research’s 2024 Q1 Agenda
Aragon Research provides the strategic insights and advice you need to help your business navigate disruption and outperform your goals. Our research is designed to help you understand the technologies that will impact your business–using a number of trusted research methodologies that have been proven to help organizations like yours get to business outcomes faster.
On Wednesday, January 17th, 2024, join Aragon Research CEO and Lead Analyst, Jim Lundy for a complimentary webinar as they walk you through Aragon’s Q1 2024 research agenda.
This webinar will cover:
- Aragon’s coverage areas, analysts, and services
- Research offered by Aragon, including Visual Research
- The research agenda for Q1 2024
- Sneak peek at what’s coming in Q2 2024
