How AI Is Transforming Enterprise Business Operations

Business leaders have known that artificial intelligence (AI) was going to transform business — it was just a matter of when. For a long time, the benefits of AI seemed in the future, maybe not too far, but still years away from having a measurable impact. But in late 2022, with the rise of generative AI (GenAI) tools available for the masses, AI roadmaps accelerated far more quickly than experts in the field ever dreamed. Now it’s not a matter of if your company is using AI for business; the conversation needs to move to how you’re going to securely deploy enterprise GenAI in a way that will benefit your organization. 

Machine learning, AI-powered automation and generative AI are reshaping how large-scale organizations approach data and process optimization. Let’s dive into how companies are deploying GenAI for enterprises today and the critical factors that will shape your enterprise AI strategies moving forward.

What Companies Can Do With Enterprise AI

Enterprise AI is the tailored application of AI technologies across various business functions, scaling them to meet the complex needs of large organizations. For enterprises, AI offers significant advantages: data analytics to drive actionable insights, automation for repetitive tasks and predictive models to anticipate shifts in demand. 

With secure AI solutions designed for your company’s unique business challenges, decision-making becomes faster, more data-driven and responsive, keeping your organization competitive. With faster and deeper insights, companies can be more innovative and agile responding to customer needs.

AI-Powered Operational Efficiency: Real-World Use Cases

Part of the reason AI for enterprise is growing so rapidly is because it can be applied for so many use cases across every industry. The widespread adoption of AI technologies includes use cases in:

Finance: AI in finance is reducing fraud by identifying patterns and anomalies in transaction data in real time. For example, a major credit card company has deployed GenAI to manage fraud detection, doubling the detection rate of compromised cards. 

Human Resources: Predictive analytics make it possible to refine hiring processes, boost employee engagement and optimize workforce deployment. Companies may use GenAI in HR to help employees with career progression and identifying opportunities for skills training. 

Supply Chain Optimization: From inventory management to forecasting, AI is enhancing every layer of the supply chain. A major retailer is using GenAI to better predict how and when to stock items in their warehouses, streamlining their same-day delivery operations.

Customer Service Automation: With AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants, enterprises can deliver high-quality customer experiences 24/7, resolving issues faster while easing the workload on human teams. Companies can use a mix of AI-powered assistants providing information on a caller’s needs before a real agent begins supporting clients, allowing issues to get resolved more quickly. 

Other ways enterprises can benefit from generative AI include: 

• Revolutionizing decision making: Generative AI automates complex processes, offers creative solutions and analyzes extensive datasets to uncover insights that were once out of reach. 
• Machine learning-based BI: Enterprises use ML models to forecast demand, predict customer behavior and optimize marketing strategies, creating actionable intelligence and agile, data-informed organizations.

Overcoming the Challenges in Generative AI for Business 

Enterprise AI offers impressive benefits, but it also brings significant challenges. Security is a major consideration. Deploying third-party AI applications risks exposing confidential data, and fast-changing AI regulations make compliance a moving target. But organizations delaying AI adoption may see employees turn to shadow AI: unapproved tools that jeopardize data security. However, building in-house AI expertise isn’t feasible for every company.

To mitigate these challenges, enterprises need:

• Data Security and Privacy: AI systems handle sensitive data, so CIOs and CISOs need platforms with robust safeguards (like deploying a private AI in an air-gapped environment) to prevent breaches and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Legacy Compatibility: Integrating AI with legacy systems can be a challenge that’s overcome by deploying modular and extensible solutions that are adaptable to your current and future needs.
• Skills Gap: Not every company can hire and maintain AI experts, so being able to utilize third-party LLMs that are easily integrated into your current systems ensures your company has the right resources in place.

The Future of AI in Enterprise Business Operations

As AI advances, enterprises are set to embrace even more complex applications, including building or deploying customized AI tools on dedicated infrastructure, which provides better control over data integrity and security. Companies will continue using AI to optimize resource management, drive sustainability and create a collaborative AI-human environment where innovation thrives.

AI is fundamentally transforming enterprise business operations, enabling companies to streamline workflows, enhance decision-making and remain competitive. The future of enterprise AI promises even more potential, as long as companies find ways to securely deploy customized and integrated solutions. Learn more about SUSE’s secure AI solution to future-proof your business operations.