Your digital strategy hinges on AI tools. What will you do if they don't meet your expectations?

Set Clear Objectives: Define specific goals for your AI implementation. Knowing what success looks like will help you assess when technology is not meeting expectations. Continuous Monitoring: Regularly evaluate the performance of the AI tools you use. This allows you to identify shortcomings early and make necessary adjustments. Gather Feedback: Involve your team and users in providing feedback on the technology. Their insights can reveal areas for improvement or alternative solutions. Develop a Backup Plan: Always have a contingency strategy in place. This could involve manual processes or alternative tools that can be implemented if the AI doesn’t deliver.

If AI tools underperform, we'll need to reassess and adapt our digital strategy. This could involve refining our AI implementation, investing in additional training or more advanced systems, or pivoting to alternative technologies. We might also consider a hybrid approach, blending AI with human expertise to overcome limitations. Simultaneously, we'll need to manage stakeholder expectations, potentially adjusting timelines and deliverables. It's crucial to maintain flexibility, continuously evaluate results, and be prepared to shift resources as needed. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure our digital initiatives drive value, with or without heavy reliance on AI.

Think of AI as your co-pilot, not the pilot. When technology falters, the human touch—your experience and intuition—can still steer the strategy toward success. And, sometimes a detour leads to even better results! If your digital strategy hinges on AI tools and they don’t meet expectations, it’s like relying on a GPS that takes you on the scenic route—sure, it’s not the fastest, but you can still find your way. First, assess what’s not working: is it the tool itself, the implementation, or expectations that need tweaking? Have a backup plan that mixes human creativity with data-driven insights. Adapt and test alternatives while keeping your core objectives in sight.

According to Everett Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory, new technologies follow an adoption cycle with adjustment phases before reaching full effectiveness. Iterating on the use of AI tools, testing different configurations, and training teams to maximize their potential can help. Additionally, collecting user feedback on the tools' impact can guide necessary optimizations and enhance their long-term performance.

Be realistic about your expectations from AI. If you are still unfamiliar with it, do not attempt far-fetched ideas that you cannot clearly visualise. Because you will never be able to course-correct if you are unaware of the way it works and evolves. Taking it ahead step by confident step is a good practice. If you are conversant with AI and its possibilities, have a granular blueprint that you can constantly monitor and check for performance and efficiency. AI may seem like a magic wand but when it fails it could erode brand value significantly. The option is not to ignore the tech - but to embrace it in a planned roll-out. You know the task and the brand better than AI. Keep that in mind as you strategise.