As businesses increasingly look to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their operations, the road to adoption in 2025 is anticipated to come with significant challenges, as identified by industry experts at VAST. The insights from Rupert Menezes, Field CTO, and Carmelo McCutcheon, Public Sector CTO, detail the landscape and critical factors that will influence AI deployment over the next few years.
Menezes points out that traditional obstacles such as the availability of technology and processing power will evolve, giving way to more complex issues related to human resources and infrastructure. He elaborates that, “The biggest bottlenecks to AI adoption in 2025 will no longer just be the availability of chips or supercomputer power, but roadblocks related to skills, data access, and costs.” This shift indicates that businesses will require a more diverse set of skills encompassing infrastructure, DevOps, data engineering, and compliance—a stark contrast to previous technological integrations.
A notable issue highlighted by Menezes is the substantial skills gap within organisations, exacerbated by a migration to cloud-based solutions. The loss of key personnel during this transition has made it increasingly difficult to secure the necessary expertise to navigate the complexities of AI. Coupled with this is the issue of data accessibility; he mentions that, “99% of data that could power AI remains locked behind firewalls,” suggesting that businesses are not fully leveraging the data they possess, creating yet another hurdle in fully unlocking AI potential.
In addition, the financial implications of implementing AI technologies present another layer of challenge for companies. Although the prices of AI tokens have substantially decreased by over 100 times compared to two years ago, the costs associated with deploying larger AI models continue to pose a barrier to many enterprises seeking to embark on AI initiatives.
On the compliance and security front, McCutcheon emphasises that adherence to regulatory standards and maintaining robust security protocols will play a pivotal role in the successful implementation of AI technologies. He notes that businesses must align their AI strategies with compliance frameworks to mitigate risks and safeguard sensitive information, underscoring the dual focus on innovation and protection in the evolving landscape.
The insights from VAST provide a comprehensive view of the necessary strategies businesses need to adopt in order to effectively address these barriers and move forward with AI initiatives. As the landscape continues to shift, success in AI adoption will rely heavily on the convergence of skills, data utilisation, and cost management, alongside a steadfast commitment to compliance and security. These strategies will be crucial as organisations navigate the complexities of integrating AI into their operations, ensuring they are prepared for the challenges that lie ahead in this rapidly evolving field.
Source: Noah Wire Services