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“61% of employees in the Middle East want formal training in Generative AI” – Thibault Dousson, Lenovo

Thibault Dousson, Director, META, Solutions and Services Group, Lenovo, has highlighted some key trends from their Global CIO report for 2024, in an exclusive thought leadership article for tahawultech.com. Some of the key trends that have emerged include the fact that employees from across the Gulf region want training in Gen AI.

Thibault Dousson, Director, META, Solutions and Services Group, Lenovo

Across the Middle East, businesses are navigating productivity challenges, prompting leaders to seek innovative solutions. Increasingly, the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) based solutions is recognized as a key driver in addressing these issues.

For instance, AI is projected to contribute up to $320 billion to the region’s economy by 2030, according to PWC. IT leaders are at the forefront of these advancements, facilitating the integration of AI technologies.

According to Boston Consulting Group, rather than focusing solely on individual employee efficiency, businesses are leveraging AI to streamline processes and enhance overall productivity. Notably, 61% of Middle Eastern executives anticipate productivity gains of over 10% from AI and generative AI by 2024.

Today, 80% of CIOs are optimistic about the impact AI can have, feeling that breakthroughs and developments in the technology will have a significant impact on their business. Additionally, 84% believe it will boost productivity in the next year or two.

The rapid adoption of Generative AI (GenAI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) has revolutionised tasks that once took hours reducing them to just a fraction of the time. These tools, designed to be user-friendly, allow employees to interact with data through natural language, leading many businesses to assume that once deployed, these systems will be seamlessly adopted and drive immediate results.

However, this assumption can be risky. Even seemingly simple tools, often require training and support for widespread, effective use.

The training blind spot

The reality is that GenAI isn’t as “plug and play” as it might seem and using LLM systems will require users to develop new skills to use them effectively. However, these advancements are evolving so rapidly that many businesses overlook essential aspects, such as understanding how the technology works and the importance of providing proper training and user guides.

Without adequate support, even easy-to-use technology might not be easily picked up. For example, dual monitors can increase productivity by, 9% to 50% but even today many employees don’t use them because they’ve never been taught how to set them up correctly.

With tools that utilise natural language input, employees first need to learn how to correctly input information into these solutions by writing well-structured prompts and understanding how to guide AI output through an iterative process. Training employees to refine their requests with specific details is crucial for generating more accurate results.

It’s equally important to understand the limitations of GenAI and LLMs. While these tools excel at processing large amounts of data and generating quick insights, they often struggle with context, nuance, and accuracy. For example, an AI model may produce results that sound convincing but are factually incorrect or miss cultural or industry-specific details.

Employees need be aware of these shortcomings and know how to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs. AI is not infallible and relying on it blindly can lead to errors.

Employees want to be trained

Unsurprisingly, as AI transforms the workplace, employees increasingly expect support in mastering these tools. Workers understand that AI has the potential to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness, but they also recognise that without proper training, they may not be able to fully leverage its capabilities.

In fact, 61% of employees want formal training in using Generative AI, showing the need for businesses to offer comprehensive training programs. Despite 73% of European organisations reporting that their staff use AI at work, only 30% provide limited training to employees in tech-related positions, while 40% offer no training at all.

Comprehensive training is essential to help workers fully leverage these technologies and avoid missed opportunities for efficiency and innovation. Structured training is a necessity, not a luxury.

The role of IT in successful adoption

To further ensure a smooth rollout, partnering with experienced technology service providers who provide end-to-end support can make a significant difference.

This is where Lenovo’s Advisory Services, part of its suite of DWS solutions, comes in. Lenovo has extensive experience helping customers around the globe implement AI services, and having deployed its own AI solutions internally, Lenovo brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.

The Advisory Services team can help businesses develop tailored AI implementation strategies, ensuring both technology and the workforce are prepared for success. Lenovo SSG’s expertise makes it a valuable partner for IT departments, providing strategic support and training to help new technologies be fully embraced, driving productivity and maximising return-on-investment.

Not only has Lenovo been supporting companies around the globe in implementing AI solutions, Lenovo has also implemented AI internally, meaning that teams have experience both as partners and as end-users themselves.

Lenovo’s Advisory Services can provide reliable insight to guide your business toward future-proof solutions. By leveraging Lenovo’s expert professionals, you can untangle complex IT challenges and ensure your systems are optimised to meet your business goals. Explore Lenovo’s Advisory Services to unlock the full potential of AI and future-proof your IT.

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