Why artificial intelligence needs C-suite support

In this episode of the EY Microsoft Tech Directions podcast series, we discuss AI adoption by businesses around the world. 

Related topics Alliances AI

Podcast host Simon Hobbs welcomes Stela Solar, Microsoft’s Global Head of Artificial Intelligence Solutions and Hugh Burgin, EY’s Data and AI Leader for the Americas. Together they discuss why scale, speed and C-suite support are critical factors when it comes to maximizing the transformative effects of artificial intelligence (AI).

AI is a competitive differentiator thanks to the ability to optimize business processes and performance. This technology has moved beyond proof of concept and is employed in every sector and business function – from telecommunications to agribusiness to marketing departments trying to drive growth to HR teams attempting to improve employee performance. 

AI technology generates billions of dollars of value globally. To maximize a return on investment it’s necessary to have a comprehensive strategy that touches upon every element of the project.  

Strong C-suite sponsorship and engagement improves the outcome of AI. Leadership buy-in ensures close alignment with business goals, allows for greater agility, gives access to improved resources and generates support from other key stakeholders, giving the project greater traction. 

In today’s business environment, success is easier to achieve on an individual project level and helps convince other internal stakeholders to get onboard, overcoming silos and smoothing the way to organization-wide adoption. 

Combine on-demand scalability with Microsoft’s native services and it is possible to overcome a third major challenge to AI adoption – speed. Companies no longer need to spend years developing AI technology foundation. Instead they can fast track to developing and implementing AI use cases in a matter of months.

Key takeaways:

  • Companies need to focus on the most important challenges facing their business to experience the full value of an AI strategy. 
  • AI success is about organizations modifying their operating models so they can embrace AI and drive improved decision-making.
  • Companies must build trust with AI and embed the frameworks necessary to ensure AI solutions operate within acceptable limits,  and provide appropriate transparency into the outcomes. Only then will widespread adoption be possible.
  • In the future, exciting transformational AI solutions will be woven invisibly into and enrich many more aspects of our lives, delivering amazing outcomes

For your convenience, full text transcript of this podcast is also available. Read the transcript.

Presenters

Hugh Burgin
EY Americas Microsoft Data & AI Leader
Stela Solar
Speaker, EY-Microsoft Tech Directions

Podcast

Episode 3

Duration 47m 06s

In this series

Show all podcasts
(Event List - Manual)

How to get more for your security dollars

In this episode of the EY Microsoft Tech Directions podcast, we discuss the benefits of simplifying security and how best to spend money doing so.
Podcast

Episode 11

Duration
37m 20s

Presenters

Dave Burg

EY Americas Cybersecurity Leader

Rapid foundations for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and startups

In this episode of the EY Microsoft Tech Directions podcast, we explore accelerating ERP integrations for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and startups.
Podcast

Episode 10

Duration
32m 39s

Presenters

Alex Corps

Partner, Business Applications Innovation, Ernst & Young LLP

Bimal Pall

EY-Parthenon Partner, Strategy and Transactions, Ernst & Young LLP

How to maximize the cloud for finance and tax transformations

In this episode of the EY Microsoft Tech Directions podcast, we explore how businesses are co-sourcing finance and tax functions to meet talent shortages, legislative change, and technological transformation challenges.
Podcast

Episode 9

Duration
36m 12s

Presenters

Myles Corson

EY Global and Americas Strategy and Markets Leader, Financial Accounting Advisory Services

Dave Helmer

EY Global Tax and Finance Operate Leader

How to maximize the transformative power of next-gen data and analytics

In this episode of EY Microsoft Tech Directions, we explore ways organizations can leverage the full power of data and analytics, triggering truly customer-centric transformation.
Podcast

Episode 8

Duration
32m 05s

Presenters

Andrew Wilson

Chief Digital Officer at Microsoft

How tech innovations are solving the challenges of legal and compliance teams

In this episode of the EY Microsoft Tech Directions podcast we explore how data-driven technology can help organizations monitor and manage legal and compliance risk in real time.
Podcast

Episode 7

Duration
44m 29s

Presenters

Todd Marlin

EY Global Forensic & Integrity Services Technology & Innovation Leader

Meribeth Banaschik

Partner, Forensic & Integrity Services, EY GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft; EY Europe West Forensics Discovery & Digital Solutions Lead

How connected and sustainable products are the future of manufacturing

In this episode of the EY Microsoft Tech Directions podcast, Jerry Gootee, EY Global Advanced Manufacturing Leader, and David Breaugh, Microsoft Americas Business Lead for Manufacturing Industries, discuss the benefits of connected products.
Podcast

Episode 6

Duration
36m 47s

Presenters

Jerry Gootee

EY Global Advanced Manufacturing Sector Leader

David Breaugh

Americas Regional Business Lead - Manufacturing, Microsoft

How to overcome cybersecurity challenges in a post-pandemic world

In this episode of Tech Directions, Kris Lovejoy, EY Global Cybersecurity Leader, and Joram Borenstein, Microsoft General Manager of Security Sales Strategy & GTM, discuss the benefits of a security-by-design mindset post- pandemic.
Podcast

Episode 5

Duration
34m 54s

Presenters

Joram Borenstein

General Manager of Security Sales Strategy & GTM, Microsoft

How technology is shaping the modern workplace

In this episode, Seth Patton, Microsoft General Manager for Microsoft 365 & Microsoft Viva Product Marketing and Cheryl Dewar, leader of EY’s ‘Modern Workforce’ Tech Consulting Team discuss hybrid working models.
Podcast

Episode 4

Duration
30m 52s

Presenters

Cheryl Dewar

EY Americas Next Generation Workplace Leader

Seth Patton

Speaker, EY Microsoft Tech Directions