VentureBeat Transform Day 2: Embracing partnerships for generative AI success
VentureBeat Transform Day 2 commenced with insightful discussions on the success of generative AI and the importance of partnerships in navigating the ever-changing landscape of this transformative technology. Industry leaders shared their experiences in delivering generative AI solutions for various customer segments, industries, and regions, shedding light on key takeaways for businesses.
One prevalent theme in the success stories of generative AI is the necessity of keeping humans in the loop. While the technology continues to evolve, it is not yet mature enough to function independently. However, when human intuition and control are combined with generative AI, remarkable outcomes can be achieved.
During a session at Transform 2023, Wayfair’s Head of Pricing and Marketing Science, Wilko Schulz-Mahlendorf, highlighted the company’s approach to generative AI, emphasizing the importance of human control in their processes. Wayfair has already launched two successful generative AI products. The first is a co-pilot for marketing and sales agents, enabling them to retrieve information at an accelerated pace. The second is a tool that enhances efficiency for copywriters by providing high-quality first drafts that can be edited to their preferences.
Similarly, in a fireside chat, Capital One’s Senior Vice President and Head of Experience Design, Daniela Jorge, underscored the significance of human-centered design in creating AI products. Jorge stressed that human-centered design is crucial not only for AI product consumers but also for the data scientists and engineers who develop AI models. Generative AI presents new opportunities for human-centric design, allowing for more personalized solutions between humans and systems.
In a panel discussion, NTT VC Founding Partner Vab Goel and NTT’s CFO and Senior EVP Takashi Hiroi discussed emerging trends in the generative AI landscape. Hiroi identified two key challenges. The industry is still exploring the pricing model for AI products, as companies often offer their services at a loss to capture market share due to the significant energy consumption of AI systems. Hiroi believes that pricing will ultimately be determined by the value generated. Additionally, the immense computational resources required for running generative AI models make energy consumption a crucial factor in the development and deployment of AI products.
Goel emphasized the importance of collaboration in formulating a successful AI strategy. He advised large companies to seek partnerships with startups, stating that while it is easy to partner with industry leaders, identifying and nurturing early-stage companies can provide a competitive advantage. Goel stressed that the winning formula lies in the collaboration between large and small companies.
Conversely, AI startups raising substantial funds can mitigate risks by partnering with established companies, expanding their market reach. Goel mentioned OpenAI and Microsoft as an exemplar partnership that illustrates how early-stage companies should seek go-to-market partners to introduce their products to customers and build services around them.
In another panel discussion, Google Cloud’s VP of Data and Analytics, Gerrit Kazmaier, and AWS’s VP of Product, Matt Wood, discussed the opportunities and risks associated with generative AI. They identified various areas where enterprises could benefit from generative AI.
Wood identified use cases such as generating content, enabling new personalization options, aiding experts to work more efficiently, and facilitating collaborative problem-solving. Kazmaier highlighted the impact of generative AI on productivity, allowing non-coders to create code and applications effortlessly. He also mentioned the potential for generative AI to revolutionize customer experience by simplifying communication and fostering the development of new and innovative products.
The second day of VentureBeat Transform presented valuable insights into the world of generative AI and the importance of partnerships in maximizing its potential. By combining human intuition and control with generative AI technology, businesses can unlock unprecedented opportunities and provide exceptional value to their customers.
