In a recent session at Machinecon USA 2023, Arun Nandi, who leads data and analytics at Unilever, shared his perspective on the trajectory of artificial intelligence (AI) within the consumer goods giant. His insights offer a deep dive into the evolution, risks, and opportunities of AI in the consumer-facing industry.
The Evolution of AI at Unilever
Unilever, one of the world's largest consumer goods companies, has been on an AI journey for several years. Nandi, who has been a part of this evolution, highlighted the company's transition from descriptive and diagnostic analytics to predictive, prescriptive, and now cognitive analytics. Interestingly, he mentioned that they had been working on generative AI even before the term "Gen AI" became popular. While there's a current hyper-focus on Gen AI, Unilever continues to harness traditional AI and machine learning methodologies that add significant value to the organization.
Balancing Expectations and Reality
One of the challenges Nandi pointed out is managing the expectations surrounding generative AI. Both leaders and consumers are fascinated by the technology, leading to both realistic and unrealistic expectations. It's crucial for data and analytics practitioners to set a clear foundation on what Gen AI can achieve and where it can unlock value. There are areas where other AI methodologies might be more suitable than Gen AI.
