AI is already at the helm

We can see it as a tool of the future, or take it for what it already is: Artificial Intelligence represents the crossroads of strategic decision-making.

No, AI does not (yet) decide in the place of human beings, but it (already) helps them to make decisions. “The integration of AI into strategic decision-making has been transformational, increasing the accuracy and efficiency of decision-making processes,” says Pierre-Louis Bescond, Head of Data & Advanced Analytics chez Roquette. And for good reason: AI makes it possible to analyse massive, complex data volumes, improve forecasts and thus make better-informed decisions than was possible with traditional methods. Researchers like Rajagopal et al. (2022) confirm this: “AI-driven digital frameworks make a significant contribution to the accuracy of decisions, innovation in policy formulation and speed in implementing decisions.”

If it does so, it’s also because it makes relations between co-workers more fluid. At Roquette, “AI is forcing us to rethink our roles.” At Malakoff, it has incited a complete overhaul of the organisation, no less: “We created the MH Tech cluster to harmonise our working cultures,” says Data Product Manager Jean-Baptiste Girardin.

More generally, it is disrupting traditional corporate decision-making models and creating a paradigm shift in strategy formulation and rollout. “AI is applied to business strategy formulation, focusing on the changeover from human-centric to AI-driven strategic processes,” says researcher Sameh El-Namaki (2016). So it is a natural strategic pivot, and decisions involving it are taken at the highest level. “Every year, my roadmap is validated by the ExCom,” says Florian Lagardère, Head of Data at Allianz France. “And at the end of the year, I present them with the ROI recorded for the projects carried out.” AI already harmoniously occupies the heart and brain of the company.