QSP Summit highlights challenges of scaling AI in business

At the QSP Summit held in Porto from June 30 to July 2, industry experts and leaders discussed the critical challenges of implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) at scale within corporate environments. While AI technology has advanced rapidly, the primary obstacle is no longer the technology itself, but rather its effective adoption across entire organizations.

Peter Zemsky, a professor of strategy and innovation at INSEAD and CEO of Lexarius, described AI as a ‘general-purpose technology’ comparable to the steam engine or electricity. He warned executives against treating AI solely as a technical department issue, noting that the real strategic challenge lies in scaling it effectively.

To navigate this transition, Zemsky proposed a four-level ‘strategic ladder’: 1. Individual productivity through existing tools. 2. Redesigning workflows to coordinate human and intelligent agent collaboration. 3. Improving value propositions through personalization and speed. 4. Sector disruption by transforming business models.

Other experts highlighted that successful large-scale implementation requires addressing resistance to change, the shortage of specialized talent, integration with legacy systems, and data security. They emphasized that companies must invest in employee training and foster close collaboration between IT teams and business departments.