Artificial Intelligence in the Enterprise

Applied artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced machine learning are among Gartner’s Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2017. AI is beginning to be deployed by companies globally. 75 percent of CEOs think technology will either significantly impact or completely reshape the competition in their industry over the next 5 years, according to PwC’s 20th annual CEO Survey of 1,379 CEOs worldwide conducted during September through December of 2016.

International Data Corporation (IDC) forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 55.1 percent during 2016–2020 for AI and cognitive systems solutions in its Worldwide Semiannual Cognitive/Artificial Intelligence Systems Spending Guide. IDC estimates spending on cognitive applications to reach $18.2 billion by 2020.

Large enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) software providers such as Salesforce, IBM, Oracle and SAP are offering AI solutions to capture this growing market opportunity along with non-traditional software providers like General Electric (GE).

Salesforce

On September 19, 2016, Salesforce Einstein was launched. Salesforce’s strategy is to build AI into its cloud-based capabilities of its core customer relationship management (CRM) solution and then expand into other applications. Salesforce Einstein is available on Salesforce Sales Cloud, Marketing Cloud, App Cloud, Analytics Cloud, Service Cloud, and Community Cloud. Customers of Salesforce Einstein include Intuit, Stanley Healthcare, Blue Shield of California, Design Within Reach, Activision, Wells Fargo, and American Express.

IBM

In 2014 IBM launched the IBM Watson Group, a business unit focused on repurposing Watson for business through a group of over 35 products, including SaaS products and open APIs, with point-solutions for commerce, education, financial services, healthcare, Internet of things (IoT), marketing, supply chain, regulatory compliance, human resources and the workplace.

Watson is being positioned as a cognitive platform with visual recognition, machine learning and natural language processing for enterprise customers using a cloud platform that leverages industry-specific data. IBM Watson customers include Visa, H&R Block, KONE, Sears, Under Armour, General Motors Company, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, WellPoint, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Condé Nast, Bon Appétit, and Apple.

Oracle

Oracle Adaptive Intelligent Apps, an entirely cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) offering, was announced on September 19, 2016. Oracle’s offering includes machine learning, Natural Language capabilities, predictive reasoning and real-time data integration in addition to transactional and behavior history data. Oracle’s strategy is to put machine learning into the core business processes to complement its existing cloud-based software. Oracle Adaptive Intelligent Apps product roadmap includes Oracle Customer Experience (CX) Cloud, Human Resources (HCM), Supply Chain Management (SCM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) cloud software.

SAP

SAP S/4HANA, cloud edition, was launched in 2015. SAP S/4HANA Cloud is an intelligent ERP suite for project management, finance, procurement, order management and real-time enterprise management. SAP S/4HANA Cloud has machine learning capabilities, artificial intelligence and integrated analytics. SAP’s strategy is to target companies with greater than 1,500 employees that are seeking cloud-based ERP solutions. Dickinson + Associates and Delaware Consulting are customers of SAP S/4HANA Cloud.

General Electric

General Electric (GE) Predix Cloud was announced in August of 2015. Predix Cloud provides in-depth algorithms based on machine learning for the large-scale industrial companies. Pitney Bowes’ production mail business is a customer of GE’s Predix Cloud. GE Healthcare’s AI strategy is to partner with key customers. The University of California San Francisco in partnership with GE Healthcare will develop AI applications in radiology with the goal of creating a collection of algorithms for medical imaging within three years.

Artificial intelligence is moving into the enterprise through software providers. The movement towards cloud-based computing, decreasing hardware and data storage costs, increasing computing power, and the availability of Big Data have contributed towards the surge in AI. AI is an emerging technology in the early stage of the technology adoption life-cycle with innovators as customers. By 2020, expect an increased adoption of AI by early adopters in addition. Within a decade, AI may very well cross the chasm into Fortune 500 companies.

Copyright © 2017 Cami Rosso All rights reserved.

Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com on February 20, 2017.