Hey there, MSPs! Yes, we are talking to you over there. We know you're busy managing IT services, infrastructure, network and cybersecurity support for your clients, But, are you keeping up with the times? Unless you have been hiding in the closet for the past 6 months with no connectivity, you couldn’t have missed all the buzz around Generative AI technologies like ChatGPT. Specifically, are you embracing the power of AI? If not, it's time to hop on board the AI train, because this technology is rapidly revolutionizing the business world, and as MSPs you don’t want to miss the train!
Don't you believe us? Well, let us hit you with some statistics. According to a recent survey by Deloitte, 70% of organizations are currently using AI or plan to do so in the near future. That's right, the vast majority of businesses are recognizing the value of AI and are investing in it. And if your clients are using AI, you need to be able to support it.
But it's not just about keeping up with the Joneses. AI can provide tangible benefits for MSPs and their clients. Let's take a look at some key areas where AI is having a major impact, just to name a few (in no particular order):
- Sales enablement
- Customer Experience / Contact Center
- Operations
- Data Portability/Mobility
- Marketing
- HR/People Management/Talent Diversity
- Cybersecurity
So, as you can see, AI is a game-changer for MSPs and their clients. But don't just take our word for it—the numbers speak for themselves. There are several statistics out there including a few examples listed here - a report by the Harvard Business Review, indicating that the AI market value is expected to reach a value of $267 billion by 2027, a report from PwC found that AI technology is expected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030 and last but not least, a study by Accenture found that AI could increase labor productivity by up to 40% by 2035. Sure, the numbers are interesting & BIG, but think about this from a competitive perspective for a minute. Many people are concerned AI will replace them or make their jobs obsolete. That’s not necessarily true. What is true in fact, is that people (and companies) using AI will replace those that aren’t. That is a fact you can bank on as much as any study cited above!
However, we know what you're thinking: "That's all well and good, but implementing AI is going to be expensive and time-consuming, or Will I need to have real in-house expertise?" And yes, there is an upfront investment required to implement AI. But the long-term benefits are worth it. AI can help MSPs provide better service to their clients, reduce costs, enhance topline and stay ahead of the competition.
And the good news is that implementing AI doesn't have to be a daunting task. There are plenty of tools and platforms available that make it easy for businesses to get started with AI and how to use it effectively and responsibly. For example, each of the cloud providers offer multiple services associated with AI & Machine Learning - AWS has a suite of offerings ranging from text-to-speech, MLops, analyze images and videos; Google's AI platform offers similar functionality, with pre-built models for image recognition, natural language processing, and more and Microsoft's Azure AI platform provides pre-built AI models that can be easily integrated into existing applications. Additionally, there are technology vendors like IBM, Oracle, Nvidia and a growing list of emerging startups that offer cloud and application services for AI and Machine Learning. And there are many more tools and services launched by vendors both large and small who are willing to work with you and your staff to help guide the integration and oversight of these AI models. And if you’re worried about doing it responsibly and ethicly, there are global standards, such as ISO, that are being released this year. So you shouldn’t have any excuses to hold you back!
In conclusion, MSPs need to care about AI. It's not just a passing trend - it's a powerful technology that can provide tangible benefits for both MSPs and your clients. Whether you're looking to enhance your cybersecurity measures, improve customer service, reduce maintenance costs, or simply grow your business, it's about time you paid attention to the AI bandwagon! Frankly, if you don’t, somebody else will, and you’ll find yourself quickly falling behind, and your clients will be looking for a more innovative partner to help them grow their business.
Before you finish, please take a few minutes to complete our member survey as we would like to capture your interests on AI to help us guide on future blogs/webinars that our council can focus on (CompTIA) Click here for AI Member Survey
Also, if you missed our first Fireside Chat on AI Literacy – Debunking AI Myths, click here to watch it ON-Demand!
We will continue to post blogs like these in the upcoming months. Please provide us with your feedback on the content and we will curate future posts to address your questions or inputs.
Posted on behalf of "AI Advisory Council"
