Empowering the Agentic Enterprise through Effective Governance and Data Readiness

The first day of the combined AI & Big Data Expo and Intelligent Automation Conference was marked by discussions on the role of AI as a digital co-worker and the necessary infrastructure for its implementation. The focus shifted from passive automation to “agentic” systems that can reason, plan, and execute tasks independently.

Amal Makwana from Citi highlighted how these agentic systems operate within enterprise workflows, distinguishing them from traditional robotic process automation (RPA). Scott Ivell and Ire Adewolu of DeepL emphasized the importance of closing the “automation gap” by treating agentic AI as a digital co-worker rather than just a tool.

To successfully deploy agentic AI, organizations must first master standard automation, as noted by Brian Halpin from SS&C Blue Prism. Governance frameworks are crucial to handle the non-deterministic outcomes of these systems, ensuring data access and utilization are controlled to prevent operational failures.

Andreas Krause from SAP stressed the importance of high-quality input data for autonomous systems to function effectively. Meni Meller of Gigaspaces discussed challenges with data access and advocated for the use of eRAG combined with semantic layers to address these issues in real-time.

The integration of AI into physical environments introduces new safety risks, requiring established safety protocols before robots interact with humans. Perla Maiolino from the Oxford Robotics Institute highlighted the importance of self-awareness and environmental awareness in robots to prevent accidents in industries like manufacturing and logistics.

Infrastructure and cultural adoption barriers also need to be addressed for successful AI deployment. Julian Skeels from Expereo emphasized the need for network infrastructure designed specifically for AI workloads, while Paul Fermor from IBM Automation warned against underestimating the complexity of AI adoption.

Leaders need to consider operational and ethical implications early in the process, deciding between building proprietary solutions or buying established platforms. Overall, the sessions from day one emphasized the importance of a solid data foundation, reliable network infrastructure, and cultural adoption strategies for successful AI deployment.

For more insights on AI and big data, check out the upcoming AI & Big Data Expo events in Amsterdam, California, and London as part of TechEx. Stay informed about other enterprise technology events and webinars by exploring TechForge Media’s offerings.

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[Image: Banner for AI & Big Data Expo by TechEx events.]