AI Operations
Unstoppable digitization has become a fundamental strategy for numerous companies, which requires employees to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape. The lack of available IT specialists on the job market and the time-consuming training required for non-technical personnel often lead to resource bottlenecks in various sectors of the economy. To fill this gap, many software providers have taken on the challenge of developing user-friendly interfaces that simplify programming tasks using intuitive drag-and-drop features. This transformation gives employees the tools to automate complex business processes without the need for traditional programming knowledge and effectively turn them into “citizen developers” (for more information, see: Why IT is not the same as programming). Nevertheless, despite the rise of these no-code and low-code solutions, the demand for qualified IT specialists remains. This raises fascinating questions: Why does this demand persist? What are the pros and cons of these solutions? And how does the interaction between code and no-code solutions promote mutual benefits for all parties involved?
In the complex world of business processes, it is often a challenge to get a place in the IT department's queue to implement changes, which often requires a wait of a quarter or more. As a result, even promising business ideas must patiently find their way through a maze of approvals, planning, and development. Months can pass before new functionalities see the light of day. Complications arise when adjustments are required, and this triggers a cycle of repeated frustration on the business side and stress on the IT side, leaving both parties dissatisfied. Requests from Business Units include not only major revisions to enterprise systems, but also applications for recording employee satisfaction, collecting customer feedback, managing approval workflows, and automating data-driven notifications. These tasks may not pose major challenges for experienced software developers, but they require time to understand business logic and target groups. This is where low-code solutions shine brightest. Using intuitive graphical interfaces, business users can define exactly the files, tables, or systems they want to link together, and configure notifications and forms for further processing. With the advent of citizen developers, they are gaining control of their creations, independent of other areas of organization. At the same time, IT departments are given more leeway to focus on more complex and challenging tasks.
In the area of AI and machine learning in large enterprises, data scientists often work with business teams, data engineers, and others to enable insights, data preparation, and model deployment. No-code platforms facilitate this complex process by simplifying steps using drag-and-drop modules and guided model selection. While certain sensitive areas (e.g. healthcare, safety-related products) require caution, this role change can speed up the deployment of models and the testing of hypotheses before involving other departments (Source: Levity).
The article “Why You Might Not Need an IT Department Anymore” (Source: Forbes) makes us think and challenges us to understand the complex IT infrastructure that underlies business processes. Although promoting self-employment is critical, being completely reliant on a single IT department could be counterproductive. The critical role of IT departments is undeniable, but their capacity to handle a wide range of tasks is limited. Prioritizing strategic areas of business is critical and often distracts them from developing applications for internal needs. However, IT professionals have an unmatched system-wide perspective that is able to lead aspiring citizen developers. The Acceptance of Self-Efficacy in Creating Tailored Solutions Democratizes Access to IT Resources, Even When the Role of IT Departments Is Recognized (Source: Computer week).
Citizen development entails independence and dependency in various dimensions. On the one hand, business units are gaining autonomy and reducing their dependence on continuous IT support. On the other hand, the limited universality of solutions limited by specific low-code platform providers may create a new form of dependency. There is a risk of price increases or product discontinuations when medium-sized companies integrate external software. Oligopolies in the IT sector (e.g. Google, Microsoft, AWS, social media platforms) could negatively impact companies that depend on their technologies and cause higher costs or service restrictions. At the same time, technology startups face a demanding survival challenge, with 63% of them going bankrupt in the first 5 years (Source: Explodingtopics). Smaller companies may lack the resources and expertise needed for customer management, legal matters, marketing, and operational management, increasing the risk of failure. External factors such as Silicon Valley Bank's recent bankruptcy (Source: CNBC) Can have far-reaching effects. Finding a balance between dependency and independence is at the core of the debate about low-code platforms. The careful selection of software providers is essential, as the development of proprietary solutions can be unrealistic or costly.
The Foundation of Security Lies with the Software Provider. Trusting a selected low-code platform is a fundamental step to ensure that it is not only secure but also reliable and ensures the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive corporate data. Reviewing the vendor's security protocols, certifications, and data processing practices is critical to credibility.
In the dynamic world of modern business, digitization steers companies towards flexible strategies and leads to the creation of citizen developers supported by intuitive low-code platforms. These platforms optimize business processes, bridge the gap between IT specialists and non-technical staff, while accelerating the deployment of AI. Finding the balance between autonomy and dependency requires a reassessment of the IT department's roles and forces the selection of software solutions to avoid dependency risks. Security remains crucial in this development, from the trustworthiness of software providers to prevent data leaks and prevent hacking attempts. The responsible use of technology and structured development round off the picture and lead companies into a digitally transformed future that values innovation, independence and strict security measures.
In our latest article, we highlight the central role of compliance and quality management in the development of AI systems. We show how innovative approaches can be reconciled with regulatory requirements — an important step for companies that want to drive sustainable innovations in the fast-moving world of technology.
Discover the impact of generative AI in retail. This technology unites departments, personalises content, and transforms customer experiences. Leading brands such as Coca-Cola and Walmart are already using their potential to optimise operations and drive innovation. Explore the future of retail with generative AI...
This article explores how large language models such as ChatGPT can be integrated with proprietary data. The recent advent of large language models opens up numerous opportunities for companies, but connecting with proprietary data is a challenge in such a transformation. This article discusses the various approaches to solve this problem, such as fine-tuning and contextual learning. In addition, the associated challenges and risks are addressed.
