Q & A
EDITOR ’ S
KARL CROWTHER , REGIONAL DIRECTOR MEA , ALTERYX
While many organisations have a strong appetite for AI automation , they still need solutions , tactics and strategies that improve their data ecosystem by empowering everyone across the enterprise to sift through vast amounts of data and unlock new insights and decision-making based on accurate data .
MAYA ZAKHOOR , DIRECTOR CHANNEL SALES EEMI , NETAPP
Recent Alteryx research into the enterprise of the future reveals that 59 % of
UAE business leaders say their investment in advanced technology will increase , and 45 % state they will invest in advanced technologies such as AI to respond to the changing market environment . The challenge for businesses is turning these increased data volumes and varieties into business opportunities .
The opportunity for channel partners is in helping these businesses prepare for this increasingly complex , data-driven future . Why ? Because AI has lowered the barrier to delivering productivity gains by unlocking the world of delivering data-driven insights with just a sentence or a prompt .
Empowering the workforce with the right AI tools and skills will be key to navigating the complex yet rewarding AI market space . Together with their customers , channel partners can help business leaders cultivate a data-driven culture by showcasing accessible AI-ready data analytics platforms that support multiple personas , unlimited use cases , and feature expansion .
Only through delivering an innovative and powerful multi-modal approach to AIdriven analytics will businesses enable every persona to leverage their tool of choice .
Consulting and integration services are particularly valuable , allowing partners to guide clients in assessing their requirements , designing effective AI solutions , and integrating them into existing infrastructure . Vertical market specialisation is another avenue for channel partners to explore .
A significant hurdle for channel partners is the skill gap in AI . The successful deployment of AI solutions demands specialised expertise in AI development , data science , and machine learning . Acquiring and retaining talent with these skills can be a daunting task , making skill development and training crucial for the sustained success of channel partners in the AI market .
The complexity of AI implementations adds another layer of challenge . Effectively navigating the intricacies of AI solution deployments requires deep understanding of both the technology itself and the unique needs of individual clients . Channel partners must be adept at translating complex technical concepts into tangible business benefits , demonstrating their value in the AI ecosystem .
To address these challenges and capitalise on opportunities , channel partners should consider specific certifications and skillsets . AI and machine learning certifications are paramount , validating expertise in these foundational technologies . Proficiency in data science and analytics is equally crucial , as it forms the basis for interpreting and leveraging data effectively . Given the prevalence of cloud-based AI solutions , channel partners should also develop expertise in cloud platforms and services , such as AWS , Azure , or Google Cloud . Cloud proficiency enhances the scalability and flexibility of AI implementations , aligning with industry trends .
Channel partners should explore industry-specific knowledge and certifications . Understanding the unique challenges and requirements of specific verticals enables partners to offer more targeted and impactful AI solutions .
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