It’s an exciting new era for business intelligence as we usher in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Imagine. What if this new technology can actually help us to augment our thinking and provide capabilities that are normally not humanly possible. Should we take a chance and bank on this new technology? Can it really help give us a competitive advantage with our data? Can it make the right recommendations? Are we ready for this? For several decades now, we have been developing and implementing data-centric solutions. I’d like to say that “we’ve seen it all,” but the industry never ceases to amaze me as new advances are made and exciting new technologies break new ground—such as with artificial intelligence and machine learning. This one promises to be a game changer, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. But wait! How do I successfully incorporate this into my busy schedule? How do I implement is successfully? We have the same old excuses. With each new advancement in technology, we always seem to go through a ritual before adopting it. First, there is the doubt and denial. We ask, “Could this be real?” or “Is this the Holy Grail that we’ve been waiting for?” This prompts endless discussions and debates. Lines are drawn, and divisions are made, where people are pitted against each other. Sometimes, a brave soul steps out and goes through the motions of trial and error, where experience (through some success) softens the pangs of doubt and disapproval. When the dust settles, confident players finally arrive at attempting to incorporate the new technology into their plans. These rituals are a far cry from the days when every technologist and developer would jump to become the beta tester for new software. 

随着人工智能和机器学习的到来，这是一个激动人心的商业智能新时代。想像如果这项新技术实际上可以帮助我们扩大思维范围，并提供通常无法实现的功能，该怎么办？我们是否应该抓住机会并依靠这项新技术？它真的可以帮助我们利用我们的数据获得竞争优势吗？它可以提出正确的建议吗？我们准备好了吗？几十年来，我们一直在开发和实施以数据为中心的解决方案。我想说的是“我们已经了解了一切”，但是随着取得了新的进步，令人兴奋的新技术开创了新的局面，例如人工智能和机器学习，整个行业从未停止过。这个承诺将改变游戏规则，我迫不及待地想要获得它。可是等等！如何将其成功纳入繁忙的日程安排中？我如何成功实施？我们有同样的借口。随着技术的每一项新进步，我们似乎总是在采用某种仪式之前就通过了一项仪式。首先，存在怀疑和否认。我们问：“这是真的吗？”或“这是我们一直在等待的圣杯吗？”这引发了无休止的讨论和辩论。画线，进行划分，使人彼此抵触。有时，一个勇敢的灵魂会走出来并经历反复的尝试，而经验​​（通过一些成功）则减轻了怀疑和不赞成的痛苦。当尘埃落定之后，充满信心的参与者最终会尝试将新技术纳入他们的计划中。这些习惯与每个技术人员和开发人员跃跃成为新软件的Beta测试人员的时代相去甚远。