Work Intelligently

The Need for Activated Intelligence

  23 January 2024

The pivot towards Activated Intelligence (A2I) is not just a trend but a strategic necessity for Australian businesses aiming to harness AI's full potential. This need is underscored by specific data points and trends that highlight the current state and challenges of AI adoption in Australia. 

Research indicates that a considerable portion of AI projects in Australia struggle to move beyond the pilot stage. According to a 2021 report by McKinsey, only about 30% of Australian businesses have moved their AI pilots into widespread adoption, which is below the global average. Several factors hinder the scaling and enterprise-wide implementation of AI projects. Some of the key factors can be categorised under the following headings (in no order): 

·        Lack of human centric approach 

·        Gap between expectation and implementation 

·        Absence of holistic AI vision 

o   Missing consideration of Governance and Ethics 

o   Unavailability of skillset 

o   Tech/Data constraints 

Missing Human Element 

AI disrupts the existing processes, job roles and business models, which can cause anxiety, fear and distrust among employees and stakeholders leading to resistance/rejection of AI adoption. Uncertainty about the future roles, expectations, skill requirement, training pathways to get the most of the new AI capabilities etc. are the reason the AI adoption among general workers lags well behind the executives. A framework like A2I with this emphasis on human-centric AI design to augment human capability lays the foundation of how to incorporate the human element in AI implementation.  

Bridging the Implementation Gap 

The Australian Industry Group's report notes that while there is a strong appetite for AI among Australian businesses, there is a gap in effective implementation. This gap can be attributed to siloed operations and a lack of cohesive strategy—areas where A2I can make a significant impact. 

Boosting ROI Through AI 

The potential financial impact of AI on the Australian economy is substantial. A report by PwC suggests that AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with Australia standing to gain a significant share. However, realizing this potential requires a focused, ROI-driven approach as offered by A2I. 

Governance and Ethical AI 

In the face of stringent Australian regulations, such as the Privacy Act and the AI Ethics Framework, the governance of AI becomes crucial. The Australian government's emphasis on responsible AI development and usage echoes the security and governance pillars of the S3 framework integral to A2I. 

Skills Challenge 

There is a pressing need for upskilling in the Australian workforce to keep pace with AI developments. The RMIT Online and Deloitte Access Economics report that there will be a demand for 156,000 new technology workers by 2025, highlighting the importance of a human-centric approach to AI that includes education and training as part of its strategy. 

These specific references to current research and statistics illustrate the challenges faced by enterprises in getting the full benefits of AI. To overcome these challenges and harness the full potential of AI solutions, enterprises require a more comprehensive and effective framework like A2I that can steer projects from inception to full-scale deployment. A2I, supported by the S3 framework, provides a practical and strategic pathway to align AI initiative with business goals, regulatory requirements, and the Australian economic context. 

Join us in Week 3 as we explore the importance of a Human-Centric Approach to AI