Joaquín Cuenca Abela, the CEO and co-founder of Freepik, a global tech company that helps people create great designs faster, believes that while Elon Musk predicts that artificial intelligence (AI) will overtake human intelligence, our sci-fi fears are far from reality. Instead, AI is likely to transform industries and push forward innovation. Businesses that capitalize on the power of AI are poised to benefit greatly from this technological advancement and should not miss out on the opportunities it presents.
To effectively deploy AI in a business, different strategies can be employed based on the specific needs of the organization. This could range from adopting a chatbot for customer services to building an AI product in-house. Cuenca Abela emphasizes the importance of fostering a company culture of curiosity to successfully build AI products. This involves having a team of continuous learners who are open-minded, stay informed about AI developments, gather feedback, anticipate future trends, invest in training, and maintain transparency in the AI roadmap and vision.
When building AI products, it is crucial not to simply follow trends but to have a clear understanding of why AI is essential for the organization and the specific problem it aims to solve. Researching existing solutions, focusing on the customer’s needs, engaging all levels of the workforce in decision-making, and assessing all options are vital steps in deploying AI effectively. Learning from the creative industry’s adoption of AI can offer valuable insights into how AI can be a collaborator rather than a competitor, augmenting human creativity, and solving real problems to deliver value to users.
Human-centered design is paramount when integrating AI into business strategies as it allows for automation of repetitive tasks and freeing up human creativity. By working closely with customers and users to understand their needs, AI products can be tailored to meet their requirements and deliver clear value. The design industry’s embrace of AI through experimentation, rapid prototyping, and user feedback loops provides a blueprint for building successful AI products in various sectors.
In conclusion, making AI a part of a business may seem daunting, but the potential benefits and opportunities it presents are vast. By prioritizing human-centered design, focusing on value creation, and embracing iterative development, businesses can build AI products that unlock new possibilities and drive growth. Cuenca Abela believes that businesses that take the leap and embrace AI will reap the rewards of this transformative technology. As a member of the Forbes Business Council, he encourages business owners and leaders to explore the possibilities of AI in their organizations to stay ahead in the dynamic and evolving business landscape.
