Instead of using what is supposed to be everything to everyone, we need to be able to feed all of our data into one AI who can see the entire chess board and be able to accurately predict and plan for the future while feeding those connections back into the systems that fit our unique situations to create the ultimate AI-Dataloop. A dot might look like an anomaly in one system, but when connected with other dots in the ecosphere it could be the key to, exposing a critical trend or issue.Connecting all of the dots and disparate AI learnings from separate systems will enable us more quickly to exceed our business objectives.

In the future, a connected AI aggregator that feeds actionable insights across the entire organization from supply chain to consumer interactions will empower the business through the recognition of opportunities, trends, and potential issues. Such an AI will enable action, not reaction. This connected data and intelligence will be used to make smarter decisions while automating parts of the business to allow a seamless delivery of micro personalized experiences across channels.

To become a master, you must start by creating your AI strategy. Define success and plot short and long term goals. Identify areas for double attack by evaluating your internal and external partner capabilities. Work cross functionally and be willing to re-evaluate partners that are not on a path to connected data. Build in time to understand, audit and clean your data. AI is not a plug and play solution, but an investment in time and resources which will allow it to more quickly learn and predict. Deep Blue lost its first match. Once it had the data and learned from its past mistakes it out-computed the World Champion, made history, and inspired the future.

We e-commerce leaders can relate. We need to learn from our mistakes. We need to clean up and connect all of our data. We need to successfully automate, predict, and action it. Once we can do that we win customers, build trust, and outperform the competition. Checkmate.