Home > Companies > Thought Leaders > Design thinking allows for out-of-the-box ideas, says Avenue Code's Holly Camponez

Design thinking allows for out-of-the-box ideas, says Avenue Code's Holly Camponez

Design thinking is one of the best strategies for product innovation because of its problem-solving approach specific to design. In this interview with Media 7, Holly Camponez, Director of Creative Services at Avenue Code, shares a few insights into creating end-to-end development solutions with the right approach towards design. Read on to find out how to spearhead digital transformations with design thinking.

The biggest question a designer needs to answer is, "Who is it for?" followed by a deep understanding of the user’s needs.

MEDIA 7: As the Director of Avenue Code’s Creative Services division, could you please tell us a little bit about .Design?
HOLLY CAMPONEZ: Happily! .Design originated when we identified a key opportunity to add value to our client portfolio. As agile practitioners since Avenue Code was founded in 2008, we recognized that the old model of outsourcing design to an agency and then bringing in developers after was broken. As we studied design thinking and began to introduce methodologies like Google’s Design Sprint to our delivery, we saw that we were able to make significant strides in time-to-market, usability, and adoption by end-users. That marked a turning point for us, and we invested in building out our in-house agency where designers are steeped in design thinking, live and breathe the Agile manifesto, and are equally comfortable collaborating with business stakeholders and development teams. The “dot” in .Design is a nod to the clean slate that design thinking encourages – getting outside of your assumptions and starting at zero as you cultivate empathy with your user. The dot at the end of a sentence says, “That’s it, the end, what comes next could be anything,” and we try to bring this spirit of humility and continuous learning to each client and project we take on.


M7: According to you, how important is storytelling in design thinking?
HC: As much as I personally love and believe in storytelling, I believe it takes – or ought to take - a backseat in a true design thinking workshop, process, or engagement. There’s a pervasive tendency that all human beings have to want to make sense of things and fit them into a narrative too early on. Design thinking says that we’re here to listen first, and secondly to consciously pause before jumping right into a solution. We’re asked to do something wildly uncomfortable, which is to speculate, almost to play in the realm of, "How might we?" This is hands down the hardest thing to get a group of businesspeople to do; everyone wants to get to a solution as quickly as possible. It takes an intentional resistance to narrative and storytelling. I will of course add that once you’re into the actual work of ideating and building, storytelling is critical to creating something that resonates with users. That can’t be overstated.

Read More: Panzura's Glen Shok predicts a future with self-learning AI algorithms that can make networks more efficient


If you look at human psychology, you quickly realize that everything about it is hardwired against innovation.



M7: How does thinking like a designer help Avenue Code provide effective end-to-end development solutions for digital transformation for its clients?
HC: The biggest question a designer needs to answer is, "Who is it for?" followed by a deep understanding of the user’s needs. When you bring that mindset to digital transformation, it ensures that the solutions you’re designing and building are going to meet users where they are and that they will be adopted. I was at a conference a few years ago where an executive at a major Fortune 50 company was asked to talk about his company’s digital transformation. He shared how they’d done everything "right," hired Agile coaches, introduced new digital touchpoints for consumers, and then somewhat shamefacedly admitted that they had seen practically no incremental ROI from all their investment because they hadn’t stopped to look at the data around what users actually wanted. I think design has a bad reputation for being subjective and "fluffy." The reality is that thinking like a designer requires you to start from real data, and to quickly test and gather data if it doesn’t exist. When you’re in tune with the reality your users live in, you tend to create more effective solutions, and transformation is executed with clear goals in mind.


M7: What makes design thinking one of the best approaches for product innovation?
HC: If you look at human psychology, you quickly realize that everything about it is hardwired against innovation. Our brains want to make mental shortcuts as a way of coping with cognitive overload – which in our modern world is only increasing with the sheer quantity of information available. It’s a reasonable way to cope, but it also relies on a series of assumptions about the way things are. The problem with this is that it gives us pretty acute tunnel vision, which severely limits innovation by forcing us back to what’s known and familiar time after time. When we see a stick figure with two arms, two legs, and a head, our mental shortcut says, "That’s a human being." But what if it were a bear standing upright? Or a funny coat rack? Or a street light with arms for flowerpots? Design thinking gives us a practical set of ways to set aside our assumptions about what innovation looks like or what success means, which in turn creates space for out-of-the-box ideas.

Read More: ‘Advances in AI and Machine Learning are not scalable without proper data governance program in place’ says Peggy Tsai, Chief Data Officer at BigID


A good designer should be the voice of the user in product development.



M7: How do you analyze whether a design is good? What metrics do you monitor for this assessment?
HC: I love this question, and it can be answered on both a micro and macro level. On the micro-level, it’s always interesting to me when my peers in other disciplines suggest that design quality is subjective, when in fact there are very clear metrics to determine whether the tangible outputs of design are good or poor quality. Even a quick Google search can reveal some of these metrics, but a great place to begin is the book The Universal Principles of Design by William Lidwell, Kritina Holden, and Jill Butler.

On the macro level, the fundamental question is: Who decides whether design is good? Although nearly everyone would agree that the user is the final authority on that point, in theory, this can be a surprisingly controversial stance in practice when business stakeholders want their vision executed, quickly and inflexibly. Obviously, not every project or product is going to allow for an in-depth research and discovery phase, but every project and product should find ways to include real user validation early and often. A good designer should be the voice of the user in product development – which means, by the way, that if you’re simply adding design expertise to "pretty it up" after everything has been defined, you’re really missing out on the true value of good design.

Nine times out of ten when a designer starts to look for a new job, it’s because they don’t feel the user is being centered in decision making. And on the flip side, designers themselves often fall into the trap of believing themselves infallible about what users want. Egocentric designers who don’t know how to be wrong will not produce a good design. The first question we ask in our interviews, particularly for roles that include user research, "Tell me about a time you were wrong." If a designer can’t answer that question, odds are good that they’re not going to add much value to a project.


M7: What’s the best advice you have received?
HC: My parents, happily married for nearly 40 years, once told me, "When you’re wrong, say you’re sorry fast and get back to having fun." I’ve found that when I’m able to accept and own up to my mistakes quickly and move on, I’m much more effective professionally, as well as better adjusted personally!

ABOUT AVENUE CODE

Avenue Code is the leading software consultancy for full-service digital evolution solutions. Since 2008, the firm has partnered with Fortune 100 companies and enterprise organizations in every vertical to accelerate innovation. Headquartered in San Francisco, Avenue Code has offices in New York, Brazil, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal.

More THOUGHT LEADERS

Q&A with Atul Totre, WW Director, Cross-Industry Strategy & Digital ISV Partners GTM at Microsoft Corp

Media 7 | September 20, 2021

Atul Totre, WW Director, Cross-Industry Strategy & Digital ISV Partners GTM at Microsoft Corp, is a results-driven leader with a “get-it-done” attitude and a penchant for delivering integrated and connected experiences that solve key business problems with innovative solutions. He has a 20-year track record of leveraging technology to drive business value and outcomes. As a business-technology leader focused on Digital Transformation through Cloud, Big Data, Analytics and AI, he leads cross-functional teams to help customers successfully become Digital Businesses. He believes in “impact through influence” and focuses on delivering end-user experiences for customers and employees. He has demonstrated leadership experience and skills for business development, pre-sales, advisory services, CxO-level conversations and creating/delivering large programs of change....

Read More

'Enterprises that don't leverage AI and ML will likely be at a disadvantage,' believes Miquido's Jerzy Biernacki

Media 7 | March 9, 2022

Jerzy Biernacki, Head of Innovation & Business Development at Miquido, takes us through the many advantages of AI and ML to businesses. Read on to find out how enterprises can leverage exciting technology trends to help their businesses grow....

Read More

Marketing and sales should think like one, says Patrick Ward, Vice President of Marketing at Rootstrap

Media 7 | February 21, 2022

Marketing strategies have evolved with changing digital expectations of consumers and we had the opportunity to explore some of the biggest shifts in the domain through an interview with Patrick Ward, Vice President of Marketing at Rootstrap. Read on to find out some of the best practices that marketers can adopt to gain a competitive edge in the market today....

Read More

Q&A with Atul Totre, WW Director, Cross-Industry Strategy & Digital ISV Partners GTM at Microsoft Corp

Media 7 | September 20, 2021

Atul Totre, WW Director, Cross-Industry Strategy & Digital ISV Partners GTM at Microsoft Corp, is a results-driven leader with a “get-it-done” attitude and a penchant for delivering integrated and connected experiences that solve key business problems with innovative solutions. He has a 20-year track record of leveraging technology to drive business value and outcomes. As a business-technology leader focused on Digital Transformation through Cloud, Big Data, Analytics and AI, he leads cross-functional teams to help customers successfully become Digital Businesses. He believes in “impact through influence” and focuses on delivering end-user experiences for customers and employees. He has demonstrated leadership experience and skills for business development, pre-sales, advisory services, CxO-level conversations and creating/delivering large programs of change....

Read More

'Enterprises that don't leverage AI and ML will likely be at a disadvantage,' believes Miquido's Jerzy Biernacki

Media 7 | March 9, 2022

Jerzy Biernacki, Head of Innovation & Business Development at Miquido, takes us through the many advantages of AI and ML to businesses. Read on to find out how enterprises can leverage exciting technology trends to help their businesses grow....

Read More

Marketing and sales should think like one, says Patrick Ward, Vice President of Marketing at Rootstrap

Media 7 | February 21, 2022

Marketing strategies have evolved with changing digital expectations of consumers and we had the opportunity to explore some of the biggest shifts in the domain through an interview with Patrick Ward, Vice President of Marketing at Rootstrap. Read on to find out some of the best practices that marketers can adopt to gain a competitive edge in the market today....

Read More

Related News

General AI

New SysAid Copilot counters ineffective chatbot deployments with next-gen, generative AI-powered IT Service Management

SysAid | January 12, 2024

SysAid, a leading provider of IT and Enterprise Service Management solutions, proudly announces the commencement of an exciting new chapter with the commercial release of SysAid Copilot, designed to liberate organizations by putting AI to work, for them and their people. At the core of SysAid Copilot is the AI Chatbot for End Users delivering always-on, 24/7 service. This conversational self-service experience uses generative AI to help employees work through issues by delivering answers, utilizing the organization's data, from knowledge base articles through ticket resolution history – as well as verified external data sources, links, and documents. Combating ineffective virtual agent deployment According to Gartner, "Staffing an IT service desk is difficult and a considerable expense. Long phone queues and abandoned calls are not uncommon. Yet, many I&O leaders have experienced issues with the implementation and adoption of virtual support agents, which are aimed at alleviating some of these challenges." One of the main factors attributed to these issues is that initial deployments of chatbots were ineffective[1]. With no code zero setup required, SysAid Copilot comes with a feature set designed to counter the potential pitfalls arising from sub-optimal deployment of traditional virtual support agents. The AI Usage Dashboard clearly reflects the value provided to both admins and end users through usage of SysAid Copilot features. For example, adoption of the AI Chatbot for End Users and Assistive AI features for admins. It also offers insights into AI-contained issues, indicating the rate at which problems were automatically resolved by SysAid Copilot using the organization's data and averting the need for ticket creation. In parallel, admins maintain ultimate control over the quality of responses with the ability to monitor, edit, and fine-tune answers provided by the AI Chatbot enabled by a Monitor and Fine-Tune feature. AI Author enables the provision of consistently professional service by rephrasing replies, elaborating on answers, and breaking down information into simple steps with responses that are comprehensible and accessible for employees. This also exempts admins from the need to grapple with wording and grammar. Embedded into the channels that employees already use, SysAid Copilot facilitates quick adoption within the organization. For example, employees get service in a single click from the AI Chatbot (one-click ticket creation) or automatically via the AI Emailbot, delivering an immediate response even before an admin sees the ticket. Increasing productivity SysAid Copilot leverages cutting-edge generative AI technology, elevating admins to play a strategic role in the organization and improving IT productivity by over 20%. "The release of SysAid Copilot is a momentous milestone in our quest to lead organizations on a transformative journey toward AI-driven organizational processes and excellence," said Avi Kedmi, SysAid CEO. "Tapping into specialized data accumulated from thousands of customers and millions of users, SysAid Copilot enables employees to enjoy a fully conversational experience, freeing up admins to focus on more strategic work and become the catalyst for organizational productivity. SysAid Copilot orchestrates service management across the organization, embodying our commitment to infusing intelligence and ease into the workday, reshaping the landscape of service management. And this is only the beginning, as our dynamic roadmap promises a steady stream of groundbreaking features and capabilities ahead, ensuring the success of our customers." The General Availability of SysAid Copilot follows a 5-month design partner and beta program in which a diverse and engaged group of active customers played a pivotal role in refining and enhancing the product. The dedication and enthusiasm of the beta partners have been instrumental in shaping the product and ensuring that it is finely tuned to address the unique needs of SysAid's customer community, not only meeting but exceeding their expectations. Enhancing CSAT scores and slashing MTTR SysAid Copilot includes AI Intelligent Categorization automatically categorizing tickets submitted via the AI Chatbot for End Users and routes to the right people while making suggestions for more appropriate categories for tickets that come in through other channels, reducing human error in ticket categorizations by ~40%. In parallel, AI Case Summarization provides admins with a real-time summarization of the ticket content and employee sentiment (AI Emotion) so admins can understand the context, history, and end-user sentiment at a glance. "SysAid Copilot has helped our organization a great deal in providing support quicker. Since our department is oftentimes understaffed, wait times are higher than normal, and with SysAid Copilot we've witnessed those wait times plummeting," said Nathan Gleed, IT at the City of St George. "One of the most amazing aspects of this new technology is its continual learning, consistently improving performance and generating more accurate and sophisticated output." About SysAid SysAid is on a mission to liberate organizations by putting AI to work for them and their people. We orchestrate service management across organizations with generative AI that taps into specialized data accumulated from thousands of customers and millions of users. With zero setup requirements, our conversational AI manages employees' requests, assists with queries, and accelerates the resolution of issues. With intelligence and ease infused into the workday, productivity thrives so that employees can focus on what they're meant to do, and organizations are free to fulfill their purpose. With over 5,000 customers, SysAid partners with organizations ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 enterprises across 140 countries. For more information, please visit www.sysaid.com

Read More

AI Tech

Qlik Launches AI Council to Responsibly Accelerate Enterprise Adoption of AI

Qlik | January 25, 2024

<p> Qlik, a global leader in data analytics and integration, today announces the establishment of its inaugural AI Council &ndash; an initiative that further embeds leading edge, ethical AI development at the heart of the company&rsquo;s mission and industry proposition. By convening a distinguished set of advisors, Qlik will accelerate the responsible development of its AI-driven product portfolio, benefitting from the expertise of some of the world&rsquo;s most prominent AI experts, to help customers use their data to achieve more significant business outcomes.</p> <p> Qlik&rsquo;s Generative AI Benchmark Report found that 31% of senior executives plan to spend over $10 million on generative AI initiatives in the coming year and 79% have already invested in generative AI tools or projects. Despite this enthusiasm, it also found that they understand the need to surround them with the right data strategies to realize their potential. If the data building blocks of AI are not governed properly as it is democratized across the entire workforce, it could present a serious threat to the efficiency and integrity of business operations. The AI Council has been established to help Qlik&rsquo;s customers navigate these challenges and advise on best practices.</p> <p> Members of the Council will work within Qlik to guide the company&rsquo;s R&amp;D direction, inform its product roadmap and ensure its customers&rsquo; use of Qlik&rsquo;s AI is built with responsibility and ethics front of mind. The Council will also educate Qlik leaders and employees on how to harness the full potential of AI, while providing insights into the priorities of business leaders tasked with demonstrating value from AI investment.</p> <p> The AI Council features some of the most renowned subject matter experts from around the world. More information on these members can be found on our Qlik Staige website:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Nina Schick &ndash; Author, Advisor and Founder of an advisory firm focused on GenAI</strong><br /> A world-leading authority on generative AI, Nina has long been analyzing emerging technology trends for society. With over two decades of geopolitical experience, she has advised global leaders, including Joe Biden, President of the United States, and was articulating her vision of the &lsquo;AI inflexion point&rsquo; years before ChatGPT made AI a global phenomenon.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <strong>Dr. Rumman Chowdhury &ndash; Responsible AI leader, engineer, auditor and investor</strong><br /> Rumman is a pioneer in the field of applied algorithmic ethics, creating cutting-edge socio-technical solutions for ethical, explainable and transparent AI. She is currently the CEO and founder of Humane Intelligence, a tech nonprofit that builds a community of practice around algorithmic evaluations. She has also served on multiple boards, including the UK Center for Data Ethics and Innovation, and on UN&rsquo;s Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, Oxford University&rsquo;s Commission on AI and Governance, and Patterns data science journal. Previously, Rumman was the Director of META (ML Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability) team at Twitter, leading a team of applied researchers and engineers to identify and mitigate algorithmic harms on the platform.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <strong>Kelly Forbes &ndash; Co-Founder and Executive Director, AI Asia Pacific Institute</strong><br /> Kelly sits at the intersection of policy, research and industry, working with leading organizations and governments to address the risks associated with AI through international cooperation. With extensive experience in the Asia-Pacific region, Kelly has conducted research on AI governance, public-private dialogue and government policy issues.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <strong>Dr. Michael Bronstein &ndash; DeepMind Professor of Artificial Intelligence, University of Oxford</strong><br /> An award-winning academic, Michael was previously Head of Graph Learning Research at Twitter, a professor at Imperial College London and has held visiting appointments at Stanford, MIT, and Harvard. Michael is also a serial entrepreneur, having founded startups such as Novafora, Invision (acquired by Intel in 2012), Videocites and Fabula AI (acquired by Twitter in 2019).</li> </ul> <p> &quot;The formation of Qlik&#39;s AI Council is a strategic leap, reflecting our deep-seated commitment to not just advancing AI, but doing so with ethical integrity and practical applicability,&quot; said Mike Capone, CEO of Qlik. &quot;Our goal is crystal clear: to enable our customers to harness AI in a way that&#39;s not only transformative, but also responsible. By uniting a cadre of AI luminaries, we are sharpening our focus on delivering AI solutions that are not just cutting-edge, but also seamlessly integrated and governed. This initiative is a pivotal chapter in our journey, marking a bold move towards democratizing AI in a manner that is both accessible and aligned with our core mission of driving substantial, data-driven business outcomes.&quot;</p> <p> Data and analytics leaders from around the world can hear from the AI Council at Qlik Connect, which takes place on June 3-5 in Orlando, Florida. At the pre-eminent event for data analytics, integration, and AI, Council members will share their take on the opportunities and challenges for businesses exploring the value of automation in their data strategy. Additional details and event registration is at www.qlikconnect.com</p> <p> &ldquo;I am excited to join Qlik&rsquo;s AI Council and work with some of the greatest minds in AI to optimize how businesses around the world use data,&rdquo; said Rumman Chowdhury, member of Qlik&rsquo;s AI Council. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve reached an inflection point where innovations like generative AI are impacting the world as the internet did. This is not the time for complacency. &lsquo;Adopting AI&rsquo; is not as simple as some suggest, but getting left behind is a risky game. By taking responsible steps, organizations can enter an era of unprecedented innovation &ndash; I look forward to being able to contribute to this evolution.&rdquo;</p> <p> &ldquo;In working at JBS USA, I recognize the significance of Qlik&#39;s advancements in AI, embodying a responsible and pragmatic approach to enterprise AI development,&rdquo; said Stephanie Robinson, IT Business Intelligence Manager at JBS. &ldquo;Qlik&#39;s dedication to enhancing AI applications aligns with our focus on employing technology to drive substantial business outcomes. We value Qlik&#39;s commitment to ethical AI practices and are optimistic about the beneficial impact this will have on the industry.&rdquo;</p> <p> <strong>About Qlik</strong><br /> Qlik converts complex data landscapes into actionable insights, driving strategic business outcomes. Serving over 40,000 global customers, our portfolio leverages advanced, enterprise-grade AI/ML and pervasive data quality. We excel in data integration and governance, offering comprehensive solutions that work with diverse data sources. Intuitive analytics from Qlik uncover hidden patterns, empowering teams to address complex challenges and seize new opportunities. Our AI/ML tools, both practical and scalable, lead to better decisions, faster. As strategic partners, our platform-agnostic technology and expertise make our customers more competitive.</p> <p> 2024 QlikTech International AB. All rights reserved. All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated.</p> <p> The development, release and timing of any product or functionality described herein remain at the sole discretion of Qlik and should not be relied upon in making a purchasing decision.</p>

Read More

AI Tech

AI and Big Data Expo North America announces leading Speaker Lineup

TechEx Events | March 07, 2024

AI and Big Data Expo North America announces new speakers! SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, February 26, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- TheAI and Big Expo North America, the leading event for Enterprise AI, Machine Learning, Security, Ethical AI, Deep Learning, Data Ecosystems, and NLP, has announced a fresh cohort of distinguishedspeakersfor its upcoming conference at the Santa Clara Convention Center on June 5-6, 2024. Some of the top industry speakers set to take the stage are: - Sam Hamilton - Head of Data & AI – Visa - Dr Astha Purohit - Director - Product (Tech) Ops – Walmart - Noorddin Taj - Head of Architecture and Design of Intelligent Operations - BP - Temi Odesanya - Director - AI Governance Automation - Thomson Reuters - Katie Sanders - Assistant Vice President – Tech - Union Pacific Railroad - Prasanth Nandanuru – SVP - Wells Fargo - Rodney Brooks - Professor Emeritus - MIT These esteemed speakers bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to an already impressive lineup, promising attendees a truly enlightening experience. In addition to the speakers, theAI and Big Data Expo North Americawill feature a series of presentations covering a diverse range of topics in AI and Big Data exploring the latest innovations, implementations and strategies across a range of industries. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights and practical strategies from presentations such as: How Gen AI Positively Augments Workforce Capabilities Trends in Computer Vision: Applications, Datasets, and Models Getting to Production-Ready: Challenges and Best Practices for Deploying AI Ensuring Your AI is Responsible and Ethical Mitigating Bias and Promoting Fairness in AI Systems Security Challenges in the Era of Gen AI and Data Science AI for Good: Social Impact and Ethics Selling Data Democratization to Executives Spreading Data Insights across the Business Barriers to Overcome: People, Processes, and Technology Optimizing the Customer Experience with AI Using AI to Drive Growth in a Regulated Industry Building an MLOps Foundation for AI at Scale The Expo offers a platform for exploration and discovery, showcasing how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping a myriad of industries, including manufacturing, transport, supply chain, government, legal sectors, financial services, energy, utilities, insurance, healthcare, retail, and more. Attendees will have the chance to witness firsthand the transformative power of AI and Big Data across various sectors, gaining insights that are crucial for staying ahead in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. Anticipating a turnout of over 7000 attendees and featuring 200 speakers across various tracks, AI and Big Data Expo North America offers a unique opportunity for CTO’s, CDO’s, CIO’s , Heads of IOT, AI /ML, IT Directors and tech enthusiasts to stay abreast of the latest trends and innovations in AI, Big Data and related technologies. Organized by TechEx Events, the conference will also feature six co-located events, including the IoT Tech Expo, Intelligent Automation Conference, Cyber Security & Cloud Congress, Digital Transformation Week, and Edge Computing Expo, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of the technological landscape. Attendees can choose from various ticket options, providing access to engaging sessions, the bustling expo floor, premium tracks featuring industry leaders, a VIP networking party, and a sophisticated networking app facilitating connections ahead of the event. Secure your ticket with a 25% discount on tickets, available until March 31st, 2024. Save up to $300 on your ticket and be part of the conversation shaping the future of AI and Big Data technologies. For more information and to secure your place at AI and Big Data Expo North America, please visit https://www.ai-expo.net/northamerica/. About AI and Big Data Expo North America: The AI and Big Data Expo North America is a leading event in the AI and Big Data landscape, serving as a nexus for professionals, industry experts, and enthusiasts to explore and navigate the ever-evolving technological frontier. Through its focus on education, networking, and collaboration, the Expo continues to be a beacon for those eager to stay at the forefront of technological innovation. “AI and Big Data Expo North Americais a part ofTechEx. For more information regardingTechExplease see onlinehere.”

Read More

General AI

New SysAid Copilot counters ineffective chatbot deployments with next-gen, generative AI-powered IT Service Management

SysAid | January 12, 2024

SysAid, a leading provider of IT and Enterprise Service Management solutions, proudly announces the commencement of an exciting new chapter with the commercial release of SysAid Copilot, designed to liberate organizations by putting AI to work, for them and their people. At the core of SysAid Copilot is the AI Chatbot for End Users delivering always-on, 24/7 service. This conversational self-service experience uses generative AI to help employees work through issues by delivering answers, utilizing the organization's data, from knowledge base articles through ticket resolution history – as well as verified external data sources, links, and documents. Combating ineffective virtual agent deployment According to Gartner, "Staffing an IT service desk is difficult and a considerable expense. Long phone queues and abandoned calls are not uncommon. Yet, many I&O leaders have experienced issues with the implementation and adoption of virtual support agents, which are aimed at alleviating some of these challenges." One of the main factors attributed to these issues is that initial deployments of chatbots were ineffective[1]. With no code zero setup required, SysAid Copilot comes with a feature set designed to counter the potential pitfalls arising from sub-optimal deployment of traditional virtual support agents. The AI Usage Dashboard clearly reflects the value provided to both admins and end users through usage of SysAid Copilot features. For example, adoption of the AI Chatbot for End Users and Assistive AI features for admins. It also offers insights into AI-contained issues, indicating the rate at which problems were automatically resolved by SysAid Copilot using the organization's data and averting the need for ticket creation. In parallel, admins maintain ultimate control over the quality of responses with the ability to monitor, edit, and fine-tune answers provided by the AI Chatbot enabled by a Monitor and Fine-Tune feature. AI Author enables the provision of consistently professional service by rephrasing replies, elaborating on answers, and breaking down information into simple steps with responses that are comprehensible and accessible for employees. This also exempts admins from the need to grapple with wording and grammar. Embedded into the channels that employees already use, SysAid Copilot facilitates quick adoption within the organization. For example, employees get service in a single click from the AI Chatbot (one-click ticket creation) or automatically via the AI Emailbot, delivering an immediate response even before an admin sees the ticket. Increasing productivity SysAid Copilot leverages cutting-edge generative AI technology, elevating admins to play a strategic role in the organization and improving IT productivity by over 20%. "The release of SysAid Copilot is a momentous milestone in our quest to lead organizations on a transformative journey toward AI-driven organizational processes and excellence," said Avi Kedmi, SysAid CEO. "Tapping into specialized data accumulated from thousands of customers and millions of users, SysAid Copilot enables employees to enjoy a fully conversational experience, freeing up admins to focus on more strategic work and become the catalyst for organizational productivity. SysAid Copilot orchestrates service management across the organization, embodying our commitment to infusing intelligence and ease into the workday, reshaping the landscape of service management. And this is only the beginning, as our dynamic roadmap promises a steady stream of groundbreaking features and capabilities ahead, ensuring the success of our customers." The General Availability of SysAid Copilot follows a 5-month design partner and beta program in which a diverse and engaged group of active customers played a pivotal role in refining and enhancing the product. The dedication and enthusiasm of the beta partners have been instrumental in shaping the product and ensuring that it is finely tuned to address the unique needs of SysAid's customer community, not only meeting but exceeding their expectations. Enhancing CSAT scores and slashing MTTR SysAid Copilot includes AI Intelligent Categorization automatically categorizing tickets submitted via the AI Chatbot for End Users and routes to the right people while making suggestions for more appropriate categories for tickets that come in through other channels, reducing human error in ticket categorizations by ~40%. In parallel, AI Case Summarization provides admins with a real-time summarization of the ticket content and employee sentiment (AI Emotion) so admins can understand the context, history, and end-user sentiment at a glance. "SysAid Copilot has helped our organization a great deal in providing support quicker. Since our department is oftentimes understaffed, wait times are higher than normal, and with SysAid Copilot we've witnessed those wait times plummeting," said Nathan Gleed, IT at the City of St George. "One of the most amazing aspects of this new technology is its continual learning, consistently improving performance and generating more accurate and sophisticated output." About SysAid SysAid is on a mission to liberate organizations by putting AI to work for them and their people. We orchestrate service management across organizations with generative AI that taps into specialized data accumulated from thousands of customers and millions of users. With zero setup requirements, our conversational AI manages employees' requests, assists with queries, and accelerates the resolution of issues. With intelligence and ease infused into the workday, productivity thrives so that employees can focus on what they're meant to do, and organizations are free to fulfill their purpose. With over 5,000 customers, SysAid partners with organizations ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 enterprises across 140 countries. For more information, please visit www.sysaid.com

Read More

AI Tech

Qlik Launches AI Council to Responsibly Accelerate Enterprise Adoption of AI

Qlik | January 25, 2024

<p> Qlik, a global leader in data analytics and integration, today announces the establishment of its inaugural AI Council &ndash; an initiative that further embeds leading edge, ethical AI development at the heart of the company&rsquo;s mission and industry proposition. By convening a distinguished set of advisors, Qlik will accelerate the responsible development of its AI-driven product portfolio, benefitting from the expertise of some of the world&rsquo;s most prominent AI experts, to help customers use their data to achieve more significant business outcomes.</p> <p> Qlik&rsquo;s Generative AI Benchmark Report found that 31% of senior executives plan to spend over $10 million on generative AI initiatives in the coming year and 79% have already invested in generative AI tools or projects. Despite this enthusiasm, it also found that they understand the need to surround them with the right data strategies to realize their potential. If the data building blocks of AI are not governed properly as it is democratized across the entire workforce, it could present a serious threat to the efficiency and integrity of business operations. The AI Council has been established to help Qlik&rsquo;s customers navigate these challenges and advise on best practices.</p> <p> Members of the Council will work within Qlik to guide the company&rsquo;s R&amp;D direction, inform its product roadmap and ensure its customers&rsquo; use of Qlik&rsquo;s AI is built with responsibility and ethics front of mind. The Council will also educate Qlik leaders and employees on how to harness the full potential of AI, while providing insights into the priorities of business leaders tasked with demonstrating value from AI investment.</p> <p> The AI Council features some of the most renowned subject matter experts from around the world. More information on these members can be found on our Qlik Staige website:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Nina Schick &ndash; Author, Advisor and Founder of an advisory firm focused on GenAI</strong><br /> A world-leading authority on generative AI, Nina has long been analyzing emerging technology trends for society. With over two decades of geopolitical experience, she has advised global leaders, including Joe Biden, President of the United States, and was articulating her vision of the &lsquo;AI inflexion point&rsquo; years before ChatGPT made AI a global phenomenon.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <strong>Dr. Rumman Chowdhury &ndash; Responsible AI leader, engineer, auditor and investor</strong><br /> Rumman is a pioneer in the field of applied algorithmic ethics, creating cutting-edge socio-technical solutions for ethical, explainable and transparent AI. She is currently the CEO and founder of Humane Intelligence, a tech nonprofit that builds a community of practice around algorithmic evaluations. She has also served on multiple boards, including the UK Center for Data Ethics and Innovation, and on UN&rsquo;s Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, Oxford University&rsquo;s Commission on AI and Governance, and Patterns data science journal. Previously, Rumman was the Director of META (ML Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability) team at Twitter, leading a team of applied researchers and engineers to identify and mitigate algorithmic harms on the platform.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <strong>Kelly Forbes &ndash; Co-Founder and Executive Director, AI Asia Pacific Institute</strong><br /> Kelly sits at the intersection of policy, research and industry, working with leading organizations and governments to address the risks associated with AI through international cooperation. With extensive experience in the Asia-Pacific region, Kelly has conducted research on AI governance, public-private dialogue and government policy issues.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <strong>Dr. Michael Bronstein &ndash; DeepMind Professor of Artificial Intelligence, University of Oxford</strong><br /> An award-winning academic, Michael was previously Head of Graph Learning Research at Twitter, a professor at Imperial College London and has held visiting appointments at Stanford, MIT, and Harvard. Michael is also a serial entrepreneur, having founded startups such as Novafora, Invision (acquired by Intel in 2012), Videocites and Fabula AI (acquired by Twitter in 2019).</li> </ul> <p> &quot;The formation of Qlik&#39;s AI Council is a strategic leap, reflecting our deep-seated commitment to not just advancing AI, but doing so with ethical integrity and practical applicability,&quot; said Mike Capone, CEO of Qlik. &quot;Our goal is crystal clear: to enable our customers to harness AI in a way that&#39;s not only transformative, but also responsible. By uniting a cadre of AI luminaries, we are sharpening our focus on delivering AI solutions that are not just cutting-edge, but also seamlessly integrated and governed. This initiative is a pivotal chapter in our journey, marking a bold move towards democratizing AI in a manner that is both accessible and aligned with our core mission of driving substantial, data-driven business outcomes.&quot;</p> <p> Data and analytics leaders from around the world can hear from the AI Council at Qlik Connect, which takes place on June 3-5 in Orlando, Florida. At the pre-eminent event for data analytics, integration, and AI, Council members will share their take on the opportunities and challenges for businesses exploring the value of automation in their data strategy. Additional details and event registration is at www.qlikconnect.com</p> <p> &ldquo;I am excited to join Qlik&rsquo;s AI Council and work with some of the greatest minds in AI to optimize how businesses around the world use data,&rdquo; said Rumman Chowdhury, member of Qlik&rsquo;s AI Council. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve reached an inflection point where innovations like generative AI are impacting the world as the internet did. This is not the time for complacency. &lsquo;Adopting AI&rsquo; is not as simple as some suggest, but getting left behind is a risky game. By taking responsible steps, organizations can enter an era of unprecedented innovation &ndash; I look forward to being able to contribute to this evolution.&rdquo;</p> <p> &ldquo;In working at JBS USA, I recognize the significance of Qlik&#39;s advancements in AI, embodying a responsible and pragmatic approach to enterprise AI development,&rdquo; said Stephanie Robinson, IT Business Intelligence Manager at JBS. &ldquo;Qlik&#39;s dedication to enhancing AI applications aligns with our focus on employing technology to drive substantial business outcomes. We value Qlik&#39;s commitment to ethical AI practices and are optimistic about the beneficial impact this will have on the industry.&rdquo;</p> <p> <strong>About Qlik</strong><br /> Qlik converts complex data landscapes into actionable insights, driving strategic business outcomes. Serving over 40,000 global customers, our portfolio leverages advanced, enterprise-grade AI/ML and pervasive data quality. We excel in data integration and governance, offering comprehensive solutions that work with diverse data sources. Intuitive analytics from Qlik uncover hidden patterns, empowering teams to address complex challenges and seize new opportunities. Our AI/ML tools, both practical and scalable, lead to better decisions, faster. As strategic partners, our platform-agnostic technology and expertise make our customers more competitive.</p> <p> 2024 QlikTech International AB. All rights reserved. All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated.</p> <p> The development, release and timing of any product or functionality described herein remain at the sole discretion of Qlik and should not be relied upon in making a purchasing decision.</p>

Read More

AI Tech

AI and Big Data Expo North America announces leading Speaker Lineup

TechEx Events | March 07, 2024

AI and Big Data Expo North America announces new speakers! SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, February 26, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- TheAI and Big Expo North America, the leading event for Enterprise AI, Machine Learning, Security, Ethical AI, Deep Learning, Data Ecosystems, and NLP, has announced a fresh cohort of distinguishedspeakersfor its upcoming conference at the Santa Clara Convention Center on June 5-6, 2024. Some of the top industry speakers set to take the stage are: - Sam Hamilton - Head of Data & AI – Visa - Dr Astha Purohit - Director - Product (Tech) Ops – Walmart - Noorddin Taj - Head of Architecture and Design of Intelligent Operations - BP - Temi Odesanya - Director - AI Governance Automation - Thomson Reuters - Katie Sanders - Assistant Vice President – Tech - Union Pacific Railroad - Prasanth Nandanuru – SVP - Wells Fargo - Rodney Brooks - Professor Emeritus - MIT These esteemed speakers bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to an already impressive lineup, promising attendees a truly enlightening experience. In addition to the speakers, theAI and Big Data Expo North Americawill feature a series of presentations covering a diverse range of topics in AI and Big Data exploring the latest innovations, implementations and strategies across a range of industries. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights and practical strategies from presentations such as: How Gen AI Positively Augments Workforce Capabilities Trends in Computer Vision: Applications, Datasets, and Models Getting to Production-Ready: Challenges and Best Practices for Deploying AI Ensuring Your AI is Responsible and Ethical Mitigating Bias and Promoting Fairness in AI Systems Security Challenges in the Era of Gen AI and Data Science AI for Good: Social Impact and Ethics Selling Data Democratization to Executives Spreading Data Insights across the Business Barriers to Overcome: People, Processes, and Technology Optimizing the Customer Experience with AI Using AI to Drive Growth in a Regulated Industry Building an MLOps Foundation for AI at Scale The Expo offers a platform for exploration and discovery, showcasing how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping a myriad of industries, including manufacturing, transport, supply chain, government, legal sectors, financial services, energy, utilities, insurance, healthcare, retail, and more. Attendees will have the chance to witness firsthand the transformative power of AI and Big Data across various sectors, gaining insights that are crucial for staying ahead in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. Anticipating a turnout of over 7000 attendees and featuring 200 speakers across various tracks, AI and Big Data Expo North America offers a unique opportunity for CTO’s, CDO’s, CIO’s , Heads of IOT, AI /ML, IT Directors and tech enthusiasts to stay abreast of the latest trends and innovations in AI, Big Data and related technologies. Organized by TechEx Events, the conference will also feature six co-located events, including the IoT Tech Expo, Intelligent Automation Conference, Cyber Security & Cloud Congress, Digital Transformation Week, and Edge Computing Expo, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of the technological landscape. Attendees can choose from various ticket options, providing access to engaging sessions, the bustling expo floor, premium tracks featuring industry leaders, a VIP networking party, and a sophisticated networking app facilitating connections ahead of the event. Secure your ticket with a 25% discount on tickets, available until March 31st, 2024. Save up to $300 on your ticket and be part of the conversation shaping the future of AI and Big Data technologies. For more information and to secure your place at AI and Big Data Expo North America, please visit https://www.ai-expo.net/northamerica/. About AI and Big Data Expo North America: The AI and Big Data Expo North America is a leading event in the AI and Big Data landscape, serving as a nexus for professionals, industry experts, and enthusiasts to explore and navigate the ever-evolving technological frontier. Through its focus on education, networking, and collaboration, the Expo continues to be a beacon for those eager to stay at the forefront of technological innovation. “AI and Big Data Expo North Americais a part ofTechEx. For more information regardingTechExplease see onlinehere.”

Read More

Spotlight

Avenue Code

Avenue Code is the leading software consultancy for full-service digital evolution solutions (http://www.avenuecode.com). Since 2008, the firm has partnered with Fortune 100 companies and enterprise organizations in every vertical to accelerate innovation. Headquartered in San Francisco, Avenue Code...

Events

Resources

resource image

Application Development Platform

DevSecOps for APIs: Security Tools for Development Pipeline

Article

resource image

DevOps

Top 10 DevOps Tools and Platforms to Excel in Operations

Article

resource image

API Management

API Management Essentials for Optimized UX in 2024

Article

Events