Future in Focus: Two Days at AI & Big Data Paris
As I stepped through the doors of the AI and Big Data Exhibition in Paris last week, I was driven by a straightforward yet crucial question: where do companies truly stand in their adoption of generative AI? After two intensive days, twenty demonstrations, and just as many workshops and experience sharing sessions, the verdict is crystal clear: the revolution is well and truly underway.
GenAI: From Concept to Reality
What struck me from the off was the remarkable maturity of generative AI applications. Gone are the days of abstract concepts and pie-in-the-sky promises: we've entered an era of concrete achievements. CRIT, a leading temporary employment agency, perfectly illustrates this evolution by already deploying generative AI to assist their recruiters in drafting thousands of job postings monthly. Similarly, Publicis Sapiens is leveraging this technology to spot greenwashing in their advertising concepts through sophisticated prompt engineering-based automated evaluation.
The most striking aspect? The sheer ubiquity of generative AI. Whether integrated into their products or merely woven into their marketing narrative, not a single company present could afford to give this technology a wide berth. It beggars belief that we're merely two years into its emergence!
Agentic AI: When AI Takes the Bull by the Horns
Beyond GenAI, an emerging trend caught my eye: Agentic AI. This development marks a watershed moment in the history of artificial intelligence. While GenAI was content with creating content, Agentic AI goes the extra mile by enabling genuine autonomous action.
Picture an AI capable not only of understanding your request to book a flight to Singapore but also of searching, comparing, and booking the most advantageous ticket, all independently. Although this technology is still finding its feet, its potential to transform businesses is nothing short of remarkable.
The Real Challenge: Organisation Before Technology
However, amidst all this technological enthusiasm, one reality remains as clear as day: success won't simply fall into one's lap. Even with the proliferation of low-code and no-code solutions, the real challenge lies in organisation. Companies will need to implement rigorous governance and robust structures to steer their AI projects.
In Conclusion: Bridging Promise and Reality
These two days at the AI & Big Data Paris Exhibition confirmed that AI and automation are more than ever indispensable transformation levers. However, their success will hinge less on the technology itself and more on companies' ability to orchestrate their deployment intelligently. The promise is there for all to see, but bringing it to fruition will require structured effort and crystal-clear vision.
