AI: Importance, Adoption & Future

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries worldwide, with new product and service development, marketing, and sales being the areas witnessing the greatest implementation. In this context, companies and people must be aware of the level of adoption of such technologies, to better understand where its implementation is going, suggests Francisco Aguirre, LATAM Artificial Intelligence Senior Principal, Dell Technologies. 

Aguirre noted that AI is highly present in daily activities and that recreational uses are among the main AI applications. However, he noted that AI adoption is gaining steam among Mexico and LATAM’s companies, similar to the global average. “If one wonders if we are falling behind in AI in Latin America, we are not. Globally, companies are just starting to integrate AI,” Aguirre says, adding that AI is not new, as this technology has been developing for decades. “It is here to stay,” he says.

Studies have shown that AI can lead to price reductions of over 20%, particularly in product and service development, marketing, sales, and corporate strategy and finance, where significant savings have been identified.

In the financial sector, some banks leverage AI applications to connect their services with digital assistants, streamlining transactions and providing real-time balance alerts to protect customers' finances. These applications can also schedule payments automatically, enhancing convenience and security. Additionally, AI is increasingly being used for decision-making, providing real-time, accurate information and analysis that empower business leaders to make informed decisions.

These applications are possible due to AI’s ability to examine vast amounts of data to identify patterns and trends that may be challenging for humans to detect. This capability is driving advancements in data analytics and automation, enabling companies to automate manual and repetitive tasks, saving time and reducing errors. Aguirre emphasizes that the growing importance of AI is due to the fact that businesses today operate with a larger amount of data compared to previous decades. "Today, we are doing more with data than would have been impossible without the algorithms," he added. 

Looking ahead, the adoption of AI is expected to continue to grow. A survey found that 45% of executives plan to increase their company's investment in AI, with 75% of large companies aiming to use AI to increase efficiency and improve product quality. Furthermore, by 2026, the design and development of applications and websites are projected to be closely associated with Generative AI. 

In Mexico, AI adoption is on the rise, making it the fifth Latin American country with the highest AI adoption rate. To meet the growing demand for AI technology, there is an estimated 65% increase in demand for programmers in Mexico over the next 20 years. However, with only 2% of economically active individuals currently dedicated to ICT, there is a pressing need to cultivate a skilled workforce to support Mexico's AI-driven future.

IT leaders are particularly aware of AI's potential, with 86% expecting Generative AI to play a prominent role in their organizations. Given AI's ability to write code, troubleshoot complex technical issues, and transform data management, continuous learning and adaptability are crucial for IT workers to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Aguirre stresses that AI, different to other technologies, is not a passenger trend, but a technology that came to stay, as it has been implemented for decades. In this sense, he notes that for AI to work properly and meet any organization’s goals, it is important to pay attention to the quality of data input, as well as constant training. “Constant training is essential to have a solid model. It is necessary to keep feeding algorithms to verify the accuracy of certain data. Furthermore, organizations need to consider where the model will be implemented,” he adds. 

Regarding the future of AI, Aguirre states that Dell's focus is on the AI Factory platform. The company aims not only to utilize use cases but also to leverage the cloud, edge, and data center to provide comprehensive end-to-end solutions. Aguirre notes that Dell is closely working with leaders in the AI market. 

Dell has shifted its focus from being solely a platform provider to becoming an end-to-end solutions provider. Aguirre notes that the company has established use cases in the region for its solutions. Dell's approach encompasses various aspects, including platform and data management, as well as server management. Aguirre says this highlights the importance of having a strategic ally in processing, where IT company AMD plays a crucial role. AMD's contribution is essential for these processes, not only at the processor level but also at the GPU level, he concluded.