The Independent AI Strategist: Why You Need One (or More)

AI will revolutionize how we live and work. It’s the next technology transformation, with potential that we cannot fully see or understand at this time. While today we apply it to existing ways of doing things, it won’t be long before we apply it to completely new things we haven’t yet thought of.

No matter the size or industry, every company should consider AI. Enterprises that embrace the technology now will thrive in the AI-driven world of work. Leaders today need to establish a clear AI strategy for their organizations, and many need help from AI strategists.

The Role (and Value) of an AI Strategist

A dedicated AI strategist is important in today’s enterprise. With the ever-increasing use of generative AI in the workplace, companies need to determine the right direction and usage. In collaboration with organization leaders, the strategist plans and guides the implementation of AI systems in the business.

An effective AI strategist acts as a bridge between lines of business and technology teams. They speak both languages and can work with each stakeholder group to combine business priorities with technical capabilities.

On the business side, an AI strategist’s role includes:

• Evaluating AI solutions in the context of company priorities and business objectives
• Leading cross-functional discussions to gather feedback and ideas
• Crafting AI policies
• Designing the overall AI strategy
• Monitoring progress and assessing the value of AI implementations

On the technical side, the role includes:

• Exploring AI technologies in the context of business priorities and goals
• Evaluating ethical issues related to AI integration into certain business systems (e.g., those that deal with confidential information)
• Creating frameworks for deployment of AI systems

Given the speed of change as new AI technologies are developed, the role is ongoing. Activities of the AI strategist will repeat as new capabilities and solutions enter the market.

Why an Independent AI Strategist?

Millions of independent workers regularly use AI to improve productivity and increase their value to clients, and more are joining this group every day. Enterprises can tap this large and growing source of experienced, on-demand, independent AI talent to augment existing AI capabilities and introduce new and innovative ways of using AI.

An independent AI strategist can bring knowledge and insight that may be unavailable in the employee population. Because AI strategy is part of their core business, independent strategists stay current with what AI capabilities exist and how they are best applied in different companies. They must also stay up to date on AI developments to continue to bring value to their clients. Gaining such ongoing perspectives in-house is difficult if not impossible.

Examples of the function of an independent AI strategist include:

• Bringing insights from other companies and industries to strategic planning around AI
• Accelerating a company’s experimental phase with AI because they have experience and insights into what the technology can do well and where it falls short
• Contributing an outside perspective to help identify repeatable, rules-based business processes that can be successfully streamlined with AI
• Similarly assisting in the identification of human activities that can be enhanced by AI
• Designing customer-facing AI-based services and offerings

Enterprises may find that more than one independent strategist is needed to take full advantage of a rich lode of AI expertise in the independent workforce.