AI is going to change everything

But then again, we were told there would be flying cars by now too.

The use of the term 'AI' is nearing saturation. For instance on LinkedIn, the vast majority of profiles tied to marketing, sales and consulting, as well as, software development now include 'AI' as a core tenant but without being clear as to what or how (or even why). And, often we would hazard to guess, without a clear understanding of the detailed underpinnings of what the science behind AI is and is not.

That said, there are LOTS of skilled professionals and technicians who publish innovative content that are bona fide subject matter experts in one or several (or even multiple) of the machine learning, mathematical, data science, decision science and software elements which are part of the composite which is 'AI'.

'AI' is simply a label, not a discipline, like 'car' is a label. A Toyota Prius and a Dodge Hellcat are both cars, yet very different. Different buyers, different carbon footprints, different purposes for use and so on. Saying you sell cars or you want to buy a car might lead to one choice or type of owner as to the other. So not useful.

It is like saying all software is good. Software is going to change the world. If you aren't embracing software, you are going to lose. See what we mean? 'Software' as a term, is important and an embedded part of our society but what kind of software are we talking about? To bring up some old terms for illustration, is it cloud based, is it thin client or perhaps thick client software? Ok, cloud based. A bit more specific yes, but far from helpful in determining, measuring and delivering commercial value.

Every technology has evolved from general use to specific application over generations of evolution; the development of 'species'.

AI has subsets that are starting to follow the evolutionary track of purpose-oriented existence and performance. Why? Because broad or blunt applications and labels are of limited use; like using a 16-pound hammer for every carpentry task.

At DecisionArts, we look through the lens of Decision Science. Specifically, the value of one choice being better than another for specific users with specific needs and specific outcomes relating to specific commercial goals.

For us, optimizing assortments, merchandising and campaign funnel conversions with respect to content, geographies, pricing options and customer segments within CPG. Uncovering previously unknown and otherwise invisible threads and triggers which yield new buyers and new sales conversions.

To deliver value commercially, being that specific isn't just important as we go forward, it will be a requirement.

We believe the value in decision making and content creation tools which currently fall into the broad category of 'AI' need to get more specific. 'AI' solutions need to evolve into 'species' in order to be adopted and relied upon as a new standard of operation.

These species must yield measurable results, consistently delivered, to warrant an evolutionary jump to AI being ubiquitous and accepted as a new normal-rather than novelty.