Matt Potts

The importance of having the right data fundamentals in place before moving into AI

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a buzzword in recent years and months, promising to revolutionise the way we business can analyse and forecast their business, However, before diving headfirst into the world of AI, it is essential to have the data fundamentals in place. Without strong foundations then promise of AI may fall short. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of having the data fundamentals in place before moving into using AI.

Ensuring Quality Data

One of the key requirements for AI systems to deliver accurate and reliable results is high-quality data. AI algorithms learn from data and make predictions based on patterns they identify. If the underlying data is of poor quality, the AI system will struggle to provide meaningful insights or make accurate predictions. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that data is accurate and complete.

Building a Robust Data Infrastructure

To effectively leverage AI, organisations must have a robust data infrastructure in place. This includes data storage, data integration. The right data needs to be:

• Accessible – the data need to be in a query ready state for BI and AI platforms to connect to (including the right access methods, SQL, REST etc)
• Available – the data needs to be always available for usage, kept up to date – all in a performant and resilient manner
• Sizeable – the data volumes available need to be in the right size and volumes to be meaningful for AI to use

AI algorithms require vast amounts of data to learn from, and having a scalable and reliable infrastructure to store and manage this data is critical. Additionally, data integration ensures that data from different sources can be combined and analyzed cohesively. Lastly, data governance frameworks ensure that data is securely managed, protected, and compliant with regulations.

Conclusion

While the promise of AI is enticing, it is essential to have the data fundamentals in place before diving into its implementation. Ensuring quality data, building a robust data infrastructure, and establishing data governance and ethics are crucial steps in harnessing the power of AI effectively. By investing time and resources in these data fundamentals, organisations can unlock the true potential of AI and drive meaningful insights and innovation.