Tech Connoisseur Himanshu Kalkar Shares Insights On The Importance Of Integrating And Scaling AI In Your Business

Himanshu Kalkar

In the early 20th century, science fiction introduced the concept of artificially intelligent robots, starting with the Tin Man from Wizard of Oz and the humanoid robot in Metropolis. By the 1950s, a generation of scientists, mathematicians, and philosophers had culturally assimilated the concept of artificial intelligence. Alan Turing, a British polymath, explored the mathematical possibility of what, today, one calls artificial intelligence (AI), suggesting that machines could use information and reason to solve problems and make decisions. His 1950 paper, Computing Machinery, and Intelligence discussed building and testing intelligent machines. 

"The 21st century started with the ‘big data' bang, but then slowly moved away to the concept of ‘right data' to extract actionable and tangible value," states Kalkar. AI has been applied in various industries, such as technology, banking, marketing, and entertainment, to name a few. The future holds promise for AI applications, which are already underway and scaling every second. But to navigate this complex terrain effectively, it is imperative to adopt a strategic, yet cautious, approach. As companies embark on their AI journey, they must embrace four key pillars as outlined by renowned AI expert Himanshu Kalkar, to scale AI effectively within their organization.

As part of the first pillar, successful AI initiatives within any company require a strong alignment with the overall business goals and objectives. Mr. Kalkar emphasizes the importance of understanding where the organization envisions itself in the next five to ten years. This serves as a compass guiding AI initiatives. "This vision could be as simple as wanting to be a leader in the market with, maybe, a unique product, differentiated servicing, or any other USP. With AI, the company could impact, not just the bottom line, but also the top line of the business. For example, AI can help drive hypergrowth by identifying and capitalizing on market inefficiencies, and also enable scale by driving operational efficiencies." By aligning AI efforts with business objectives, organizations can ensure that AI solutions are purpose-driven and are directly contributing to the realization of strategic goals. 

AI strategy & Vision

Building upon the foundation of business strategy and vision, this pioneer further underscores the necessity of establishing an AI strategy and vision that not only aligns with business goals and organizational expectations but also helps drive data and technology strategy alongside governance. Additionally, the AI strategy should focus on building modular and foundational capabilities that would help accelerate and scale AI applications at the enterprise level. "This second pillar allows all stakeholders to share a unified understanding of the organization's purpose and direction. This will ensure AI strategy is guided by a collective vision of what success means to everyone within the company," Mr. Kalkar states. 

Product Mindset

Furthermore, Mr. Kalkar advocates for the adoption of a product mindset when scaling AI within organizations. This entails viewing AI initiatives not merely as experiments or proofs of concept, but as tangible products or services designed to address specific business needs. By embracing a product mindset (as the third pillar), organizations can shift their focus towards building full-stack, tailored AI solutions that deliver end-to-end value. He also talks about the concept of building ‘AI factories' which essentially work as an assembly line, driving reuse and thereby scaling AI. This approach fosters a culture of innovation and accountability, driving continuous improvement and learning.

Full-stack Competency

Finally, Himanshu Kalkar emphasizes the importance of cultivating expertise in AI and ML, business domain, cloud technologies, and product mindset. This is what he refers to as the fourth and final pillar, as these domains are required for a successful enterprise AI application. Leaders must possess a comprehensive understanding of the business landscape, coupled with proficiency in AI, tech, cloud, and product mindset, to drive impactful outcomes. He also talks about the importance of establishing meaningful KPIs, measurement techniques, and plenty of appetite to learn and pivot.

In his own journey, Mr. Kalkar embodies these principles as he navigates the intersection of AI technology and business strategy. His commitment to ethical AI practices and inclusive leadership serves as a guiding light for organizations seeking to scale AI effectively. Based on an example quoted from him, he frequently speaks to executive MBA students and peer chief AI and digital officers about AI applications, challenges, and future trends. He aims to educate those on how to continuously strive for diverse, unbiased, and ethical AI practices. He also states that AI can be both good and useless, envisioning a future wherein it serves as a complement to human ingenuity, augmenting human capabilities and driving positive change. He sees a future where AI takes care of a lot of repetitive and labor-intensive tasks. He states, "We are the toolmakers. And AI is not here to replace us but to support us in the best possible way." "The generation of the future should realize the importance of that and start working towards that future now. And I definitely want to play a role in helping them," he adds.

This post was authored by an external contributor and does not represent Benzinga’s opinions and has not been edited for content. The information contained above is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice. Benzinga does not make any recommendation to buy or sell any security or any representation about the financial condition of any company.