Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 22 | Page 28

ICA FR A AL I O N E L S G E R ANN CH A F RIC DISPELLING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Matthieu Brignone, Head of EMEA Channel and Alliances at Pure Storage, talks about how partners can help enterprises dispel some of the myths around Artificial Intelligence. MYTHS MYTH 1: AI is a future technology AI is not a futuristic concept nor is it the stuff of science fiction. It surrounds us in the here and now. However, when customers research AI, they can fall down a rabbit hole of bleeding-edge applications and scientific terminology that is not grounded in reality. To combat this, the channel must be able to demonstrate the real-life use cases that are delivering results in businesses today. That said, a lot of this technology is new, r ig 28 they have about implementing the technology now. D ata is a catalyst for growth and innovation, with the power to transform the way a business operates and how it serves its customers. In fact, data is so integral to operations that four out of five business leaders across EMEA said their job would be impossible without it. This was revealed in a recent study which we partnered on. However, the sheer volume of data generated is overwhelming organisations, and the speed at which it’s being generated is only increasing. To put this into context, according to IDC, the volume of data generated by the Internet of Things (IoT) alone will be as big in 2025 as the amount of all data created in 2020. So, what’s the solution to being able to process and analyse all this data? This is where Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help. Our research found that 82% of business leaders believe that AI will be a ‘game changer’ in the way they think about and process data. While AI can undoubtedly help organisations get the most out of data, many myths surrounding AI need to be dispelled. This is an opportunity for the channel to work with their customers to get rid of any misconceptions and reluctance no ne , H ead of e ur t P s a e c n Allia EMEA C hannel and Channel resellers must ensure that their teams are fully trained and knowledgeable on AI. and new technology means new skills and terminology with which to come to grips. Our study showed that 37% of business leaders named resources and talent as a barrier to adopting AI technologies, and with the well- publicised technology skills shortage, this is an issue that does not look set to disappear any time soon. To tackle this, the training starts at home. Channel resellers must ensure that their teams are fully trained and knowledgeable on AI, so they can advise or educate and help customers make informed decisions. Training AI-specific teams must start now in order to be in the best possible position to serve customers in the near and long term. Get gear for your lab and give your teams hands-