Not long ago, Artificial Intelligence (AI) was a playground where organizations were allowed to experiment. However, many projects got stuck in the sandbox and never made it into production. Today, generating business value with AI is key, especially now that GenAI makes the technology more accessible than ever. In companies, this evolution opens the door to a new role that must oversee everything: an AI architect.

Since the advent of GenAI and applications like ChatGPT, it has become clear that the technology will permanently change our way of working and living. According to a PWC study, AI is expected to contribute a staggering 15.7 trillion dollars to the global economy. Over 40% of this will be the result of the increased productivity that AI brings to almost every industry.

That sounds promising, but we still have a long way to go. Although many companies embrace AI or claim to be working on it, a lack of preparation can soon become a major obstacle. Moreover, we should not ignore the impact of AI on society. There are plenty of questions that organizations must address – such as responsible and ethical use of data, and robust security.

A conductor for your AI orchestra

Just like other innovations, AI developments must deliver value for the business. To guarantee that the use of AI aligns with the strategy, you first need a conductor who ensures that all instruments play in perfect harmony. Someone who outlines the framework for a correct application of AI, and who works closely with the musicians in the orchestra. Someone who sets the rhythm for the company to respond to trends and innovations.

The conductor your company needs is an AI architect. This role will definitely pop up more often in companies in the future. Unlike a developer who builds AI applications, an architect provides the blueprint on which these applications must be based. They focus specifically on the adoption and implementation of AI throughout the organization.

An AI architect monitors the strategic relevance of projects and removes the complexity from the integration of technology and data. They seek out new opportunities and never lose sight of risks. As such, they are in close contact with the organization’s security professionals.

The background of an AI architect

A good AI architect wears two hats. On the one hand, this person has a technical background with a deep understanding of models and infrastructure. On the other hand, an AI architect is also well-informed about the organization’s strategic objectives. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities are also very useful.

How does this translate into practice? Let’s look at some examples. In healthcare, an AI system can help propose a diagnosis and treatment for a patient. In that case, an AI architect needs to ensure that the system integrates well with medical records, while the use of information fully complies with regulations. The latter is equally important in the financial sector, where an AI architect can outline secure pathways for a fraud detection system. In Customer Service, an AI architect can contribute to the safety and reliability of chatbots that answer customer questions.

Safe use of GenAI

Nowadays, GenAI applications also land on the desk of an AI architect. No organization should let this new AI wave pass by. If employees are able to support their daily work with AI, the productivity of their team will significantly increase. An AI architect ensures that colleagues benefit from the technology in an ethically correct and secure manner. For example, you do not want people entering sensitive data into an open AI system that uses this information to further train itself. That’s why an AI architect must also provide guidelines and training for people working with AI.

The AI architect’s role is still evolving. However, it is already clear that such an architect will be crucial to successfully guide your organization into the AI era, ensuring that your company is at the forefront of deriving value from AI innovations.

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