In 1980, “The Blues Brothers” burst onto the silver screen, starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Jake and Elwood Blues. This musical comedy wasn’t just about two men on a mission from God – it was about bringing together diverse talent to create something greater than the sum of its parts …. And the big screen’s best car crash scene!
But what do these sunglasses-wearing, nun-fearing, blues-singing brothers have to do with Artificial Intelligence in the workplace? Let’s see!
Many organisations view the adoption of AI as a complex, potentially disruptive process. But what if we changed the tune? What if, instead of seeing it as a technology mixture burden, we saw it as assembling our own AI band, ready to perform the sweetest melody your business has ever heard?
Getting the Band Back Together
Just as Jake and Elwood had to reassemble their band, organisations need to bring together four distinct forms of AI: Product Embedded AI, Domain Specific AI, General Purpose AI, and Supplier Shadow AI. Each brings its own unique ‘sound’ to the ensemble.
Product Embedded AI is like the rhythm section – the drums and bass that provide the foundation. It’s built into the products and services you already use, keeping the beat of your daily operations steady and strong. Adopting this form of AI allows an organisation to sweat an existing asset and or leverage an existing structured set of data – think about CRM data, ERP data and more! Just like of the famous Willie Hall and Donald “Duck” Dunn.
Domain Specific AI is your horn section – specialised and focused. It brings depth and colour to specific areas of your business, hitting those high notes in fields like specialised design, healthcare, or manufacturing. This form of AI helps empower highly specialised work or processes that demand a highly tuned AI model that a general purpose AI would never do as well. Reminiscent of the amazing Lou “Blue” Marini, Thomas “Bones” Malone or Alan “Mr Fabulous” Rubin.
General Purpose AI? That’s your lead vocalist and guitarist. Versatile and adaptable, it can take on a variety of tasks, improvise when needed, and often steals the show with its impressive solos. This form of AI will roll across organisations like a tsunami allowing each individual to leverage it to suit their role and their personal style. Focus on Mat “Guitar” Murphy and Steve “The Colonel” Cropper.
Supplier Shadow AI is the roadies. That hard-working crew in the background that almost nobody sees but without whom the show would never go on. This AI is in the shadows because unless organisations ask their suppliers about it, it goes unnoticed. If your suppliers are using AI to deliver a product or service to your customers, then it forms a part of your “AI band”. You will want to know that what they are doing with AI aligns to your ethical and responsible framework or ideals.
Bringing together Mini the Moocher
Bringing these AI ‘musicians’ together to perform the classic Mini the Moocher isn’t just about putting them in the same room. It takes effort, practice, and a whole lot of patience – you need to rehearse it.
Start by setting the rhythm. Establish clear guidelines for how these different AI types will interact. Your Product Embedded AI needs to keep steady time for the others to build upon.
Next, let your Domain Specific AI start laying down its wicked licks. It might take some time to find the right blend of instruments with the rhythm section, but when it does, magic happens.
Then bring in your General Purpose AI to start riffing over the top. Its versatility might occasionally hit a sour note, but with practice, it’ll learn to play beautifully with the others.
And finally, check in with the Supplier Shadow AI to make sure that it is in synch, and that the show is going to go off without a hitch.
The Palace Hotel Ballroom of Innovation
Who could ever forget the Blues Brothers’ climactic performance at the Palace Hotel Ballroom? That’s your goal. When your four AI types come together in perfect harmony, your business will put on a show that leaves the competition in awe.
But here’s the thing – it won’t happen overnight. The Blues Brothers didn’t just show up and wing it. They were all seasoned, experienced, trained musicians who rehearsed, refined and worked out the kinks. Your AI integration will need the same dedication.
There will be bumps along the way. Maybe your Domain Specific AI and your General Purpose AI will battle it out to be the leading ‘co-pilot’. Perhaps your Supplier Shadow AI is not in tune with the rest of the band. But with someone leading the band, the music will happen.
On a Mission from God
The penguin sent Jake and Elwood on a mission from God. Your mission? To create an AI ensemble that works in perfect harmony, driving your business forward in ways you never thought possible.
It won’t be easy. There will be obstacles, sceptics, and maybe even a few car chases (metaphorically speaking, of course). But with persistence, vision, and a willingness to embrace the unique strengths of each AI type, you’ll get there.
So put on your sunglasses, straighten your tie, and grab an ‘orange whip’. Because when Product Embedded AI, Domain Specific AI, General Purpose AI and Supplier Shadow AI come together under your direction, your business won’t just be singing the blues – it’ll be redefining the whole genre.
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