Gartner identifies top 25 emerging technologies – Conga comments on AI challenges
Gartner has outlined the top 25 emerging technologies for business as part of its Hype Cycle report*. It identified these key insights from over 2,000 technologies that it profiles year-on-year. Amongst its findings included three key themes for emerging technology trends, including expanding immersive experiences, optimising technologist delivery and accelerated artificial intelligence (AI) automation. It suggested that, while these technologies show promise of delivering a high degree of competitive advantage within the next two to ten years, some present great risks for deployment.
Ash Finnegan, digital transformation officer at Conga – a specialist in revenue operations transformation – comments on how business leaders should approach AI automation programmes:
“As Gartner’s forecast outlines, AI is a promising technology that offers competitive advantages. However, that does not necessarily mean it is implemented as part of a wider transformation programme. Far too many business leaders are focused on the ‘hype,’ prioritising technology over strategy, simply picking the latest AI automation solution and implementing it at speed in an attempt to keep up with their competitors.
“This presents a great risk to deployment as leaders simply do not understand what AI or automation truly is and what it should drive. They are rushing to adopt a technology, without developing clear objectives or understanding how it will improve their overall services or business performance. AI is not a silver bullet – it is only as good as the data provided. If there are bad processes in place, automation technology will only accelerate existing issues.
“Instead, leaders should start by streamlining their operations and ensuring that all data is accounted for across the revenue lifecycle, before they consider applying any new technology, or indeed, making any major strategic decisions or changes for their organisation. All systems, data and processes need to be aligned prior to implementation. Leaders need to be more strategic with their investments and approach AI or automation with a level head, rolling out a programme in a phased manner. From here, automation can add real value and take their business to a true intelligent state.”
