EY survey: AI implementation hampered by lack of talents that can implement it

Implementation of Artificial Intelligence is hampered by the lack of talents that can implement it and create sets of rules and algorithms, according to a survey by EY.

Specifically, the survey shows that 56 percent of senior AI professionals believe that the lack of talents represent the biggest barrier when it comes to implementing the technology in business operations. Moreover, 41 percent of gender diversity of available talent can create bias in the sector of automated learning and 62 percent are positive when it comes to AI adoption.

Companies continue to integrate AI in business operations, despite the lack of talents, the survey shows, according to a poll conducted among 200 senior AI professionals, on the adoption of AI.

The talent represents the main worry for the respondents. A total of 56 percent of them say the lack of AI expertise represent the biggest barrier when ti comes to the implementation of AI in current business operations. At the same time, organisations are worried by the lack of diversity of available talents, 41 pointing that gender diversity can influence the bias that machines can assimilate in the machine learning.

“This year, as they elaborated integration strategies of artificial intelligence in current operations, companies have encountered a lack of math and statistics experts who know how to create sets of rules and algorithms that must be implemented in the AI technologies. This shows clearly that a successful AI approach does not involve technology only, but above all to intelligent people. Looking towards 2018, the organisations should have as a priority to attract and cultivate talents p both by recruiting people with a proper training, as well as by investments in training and cultivating talents,” EY partner Carmen Adamescu said.

Despite obstacles, AI adoption continues

According to the poll, the companies are in the stage that are overcoming the internal resistance to the adoption of this technology. Currently, 33 percent of respondents mentioned the position of stakeholders as a barrier against the implementation of AI. The positive change of this feeling suggests that the stakeholders are starting to admit even more the potential AI.

Moreover, the results show that, although companies made progress with AI implementation, which is in different stages of implementation. While 17 percent are only now assessing their options, 26 percent are in the pilot project stage, 67 percent have appointed someone to manage the activities necessary to adopt AI inside the organisation. Overall, 62 percent of employees have a positive feeling towards AI adoption.