Ghadi Hobeika on collaboration and AI implementation

Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.

Agentic AI has unique potential, but realizing it is not as simple as providing employees with the tools; rather, organizations must implement it intelligently.

AI promises faster service, nuanced decision-making, and organized data. Today, much of that potential is stuck in many companies’ “AI sandbox.” As a global leader in data and AI consulting, Artefact is dedicated to unlocking that stored potential to achieve tangible, replicable business outcomes. Recently, Artefact announced deeper collaboration with Google’s Gemini Enterprise with a shared mission to set new standards in AI.

Ghadi Hobeika is a seasoned specialist in the consulting space who brings a unique perspective to this discussion. Currently serving as managing partner and CEO for North America at Artefact, he helps companies treat AI as an agentic tool rather than a static one. His commentary shows where these systems may be headed.

“Artefact has always been focused on one thing: helping organizations turn data and AI into measurable business value. Being recognized by Google Cloud two years in a row shows that our approach is working and reinforces the strength of our relationship with Google Cloud,” says Hobeika. 

Recent developments in AI have created the opportunity for deploying AI tools and embedding agentic workflows directly into core business processes. Organizations will be able to operate more efficiently and intelligently as AI systems have the ability to reason and take action within defined guardrails. However, as technology advances, it is important to create clear expectations and an understanding of AI. This means creating awareness, training, education programs, and workshops so people in an organization can have a common foundation. 

“A lot of resistance to AI is not really about the technology. It is about uncertainty, lack of clarity, and fear of change. That is why education and adoption are so important. We help organizations build the knowledge, confidence, and operating model required for AI to become part of daily work,” says Hobeika. 

Implementing AI for business scaling

Businesses can’t simply introduce AI to employees, but must understand where the technology will have the greatest impact. AI can truly change performance in some areas, and fall short in others. Businesses need to understand this distinction and develop AI pilots that successfully scale across an enterprise to facilitate long-term improvements.

However, businesses must understand that launching AI pilots is not the same as transforming the workplace. Awareness needs to be built across the organization first, and then it can be identified where AI can make the biggest impact. A structured approach can be used to prioritize the right opportunities before committing to implementation and adoption. 

Implementing AI into a business requires strategy, technology, governance, and people. With those elements working together, AI can become a measurable business value.

Intelligent application of AI technology

When properly introduced, an agentic AI system can have a significant impact on business operations. While companies must decide how to optimize their results, AI solutions can help them streamline their operations first. In this way, AI systems become active participants capable of increasing the company’s processing potential well into the future. AI can become a fully integrated, governed, and necessary part of a company’s workflow.

“Do not confuse ideas with impact… AI transformation requires strategy, technology, governance, and people. When those elements come together, AI can move from experimentation to measurable business value,” says Hobeika.