Ahold Delhaize’s Karin Chu Talks Moving From AI Possibility To Impact

Moving From Possibility To Impact

While proof of concept is cool, said Chu, AI implementations ultimately need to add value. 

“The success comes from the impact it makes, not from the data volume you have,” she added. “How are you going to use user data? Without having a clear path forward on how to squeeze value out of that data, once you start gathering it, you’re forming expectations with customers that you may not be able to meet.”

Additionally, having built-in controls is necessary. There should be a backup plan with human intervention because there’s no successful AI without the human element, she said.

AI strategy transitions from theory to practice with the right mindset and culture. AI literacy has to be a part of the core, making shared learning and continuous progress key parts of empowering people to build their confidence and knowledge. 

Speaking as a statistician, Chu said the data science and the tech stack are not the challenges. Actually, the algorithms are the easy part. What’s difficult is change management because at the core of these implementations are people.

“If you don’t have that down, it’s not going to work,” said Chu.