How AI can accelerate the IT strategy creation process – within limits

Generative synthetic intelligence has the potential to speed up the knowledge know-how technique creation course of and to enhance IT technique high quality. Nevertheless, there are limits by way of what gen AI can be utilized for, in addition to the way it must be used.

Many enterprises are already piloting or adopting gen AI to enhance and automate their company strategic planning processes, whereas others are actively exploring or gathering information about using gen AI. Chief data officers can use the next use case examples and actions when utilizing gen AI to create an IT technique.

Instance use instances for gen AI in IT strategic planning

Company strategists are already utilizing gen AI to automate duties reminiscent of reviewing and summarizing public monetary disclosures. They’re at all times utilizing the know-how to investigate inside datasets, reminiscent of enterprise instances, and to create preliminary drafts of content material used within the strategic planning course of.

CIOs can undertake related practices for IT strategic planning, as seen within the following use instances examples that are organized in keeping with whether or not they use public or personal data. Public refers to a software that’s accessing data that’s publicly accessible, both from its personal information base or through an add. Non-public refers to a software that’s accessing data supplied with inside paperwork and data that isn’t publicly accessible. When utilizing third-party instruments for these use instances, care must be taken to keep away from leaking probably delicate data.

1. Govt abstract: Create a primary draft of the chief abstract of the whole IT technique doc. On this instance, CIOs can use a immediate that asks to write down an govt abstract for the IT technique doc with a specific give attention to how the strategic actions will assist development. This use case instance makes use of personal data.

2. Enterprise context: This entails reviewing competitor quarterly statements and annual experiences, {industry} experiences, know-how traits, and so forth. to determine exterior components which might be related to the IT technique. Instance prompts CIOs can use on this use case embrace: “Summarize all quarterly and annual experiences revealed within the final two years [insert company name],” “What would be the key know-how traits within the [insert industry] over the subsequent three years,” and “Present examples of how corporations within the [insert industry] are utilizing gen AI.” This use case instance makes use of public data.

3. Enterprise goals, objectives and methods: If a proper enterprise technique doc doesn’t exist, CIOs can use GenAI to investigate paperwork, displays, annual experiences, transcriptions of analyst calls, plans, and so forth. to infer the technique or to determine and summarize enterprise priorities that can be utilized as a proxy for enterprise technique. CIOs can, for instance, ask gen AI instruments to determine the enterprise’s enterprise goals and objectives, the principle methods the enterprise will pursue with a view to obtain its goals and objectives, and what are the enterprise’s prime three priorities over the subsequent three years. This use case instance makes use of personal data.

It must be famous that the instance prompts listed above might have to be tailor-made to satisfy the precise wants of the enterprise, or supplemented with extra context or industry-specific terminology.

In all situations, the output created by gen AI must be handled as draft or supply data that must be reviewed and validated throughout the IT group and, the place acceptable, with related stakeholders throughout the enterprise.

Gen AI can not replicate the worth generated by the IT technique course of

IT technique should be particular to the enterprise, reflecting its present place and strategic ambition, and the distinctive path it might want to comply with to comprehend its strategic goals. It additionally wants the endorsement of stakeholders. Discussions with stakeholders determine insights, concepts and points which might be particular to the enterprise.

These insights are sometimes the distinction between a generic IT technique and one that’s the proper technique for the enterprise. Such interactions additionally play a key function in guaranteeing stakeholders perceive, assist and are dedicated to the IT technique.

A technique course of that features frequent engagement and collaboration with key stakeholders is, due to this fact, important for creating the appropriate IT technique for the enterprise and guaranteeing alignment throughout the enterprise. So, whereas gen AI can play a task in lots of areas of the IT technique course of, there are at the moment some limitations on when and the way CIOs ought to use the know-how.

AI-generated content material can be utilized as a supply for, and to create an preliminary draft of, particular sections of an IT technique, reminiscent of the chief abstract, enterprise context and enterprise goals, objectives and methods. Gen AI can not replicate the worth of, or present the enterprise-specific insights generated by, participating and collaborating with stakeholders all through the technique creation course of.

Ian Cox is a senior director analyst with Gartner’s CIO analysis crew. His protection areas embrace strategic planning, IT working fashions, board communication and the Workplace of the CIO. He wrote this text for SiliconANGLE. Gartner analysts will present extra evaluation on strategic planning and execution at Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo, going down Oct. 21-24 in Orlando, Florida.

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