Introducing the StratAI Series

Editorial

Last week, a new international study, called “Firm Data on AI,” reported that artificial intelligence (AI) adoption is now widespread across the U.S. and other countries with advanced economies — but measurable impact remains limited, or at least elusive.

The study, which surveyed nearly 6,000 CFOs, CEOs, and senior executives across the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Australia found that about 70% of firms are actively using some form of AI; in the U.S., that figure is 78%.

However, more than 80% of the surveyed firms say AI has had no impact on employment or productivity over the past three years.

Something has to give — and it’s probably not going to be the advance of AI, which seems here to stay.

“The total impact of AI … I don’t think anyone knows what it is,” said Scott Longley, a manufacturing expert in residence for FORGE, one of the companies partnering with BusinessWest on a new workshop series centered on putting AI to the most productive uses (see story on page 4).

Our new StratAI Series aims to demystify the potential of AI in several different sectors, starting with manufacturing on Thursday, March 26 at the STCC Technology Park. Future workshops will address the impact of AI in professional services such as law, accounting, and financial services; nonprofits; the service sector; and others.

Considering the statistics above — the idea that almost everyone is using AI, but few companies truly grasp it — this series is especially timely, and we are excited to partner with a number of smart, forward-thinking business leaders to bring it to you.

“Manufacturers, especially Western Mass. manufacturers, have had their hands so full dealing with the regular chaos of the economy that taking time for new technology has never been at the top of the priority stack, and understandably so,” said Paul Silva of Innovate413, one of the partners on StratAI. “It needs to be a conservative industry. You spend a lot of money for capital assets, so you can’t afford to really screw up; they have to be very careful.”

But that’s also true of other sectors, and so are the feelings of general uncertainty around how best to incorporate AI — and why. We are confident, and excited, that this StratAI Series is an important step in the right direction.