The artificial intelligence (AI) race is well underway. The number of companies implementing AI has grown by a staggering 270 percent in recent years, and even companies that haven't made the leap yet are thinking about it. But, if you're a CIO or business leader hoping to use AI -- whether you're developing your own technology in-house or licensing it from a firm -- there are serious implications you need to consider.

The number one thing to look out for is the risk for bias. Unfortunately, we've seen many instances in which AI has been biased against minority groups. Not only is this unethical; it's also bad for business. If AI can't work for all people as it's intended, there's little benefit to using it in the first place.

So, if you want to make AI part of your business strategy, here are three key things to ask:
1. Ask about the data.AI systems using machine learning are trained and tested with massive amounts of data. This data needs to be diverse and representative of the different people and use cases that it will touch -- otherwise, it will not work correctly. Start by asking where the data comes from and how it's collected, and think critically about areas where the data might be lacking. Keep reading...

If you've ever embarked on a new challenge, you've probably experienced what I like to call the improvement ripple effect: How focusing on improving one thing, no matter how small, naturally leads to improvements in other areas.

Research backs up the premise. Take leadership: Google found that when managers talked with new hires on their first day about their roles and responsibilities, not only did those new employees reach expected productivity levels a month faster than other employees, the managers became better leaders. Doing one thing naturally led to doing other things.
The same holds true with exercise and diet: Many people, once they start to work out regularly, naturally begin to eat healthier. 

One study found that people who exercised for twelve weeks (long enough to make exercise a part of their lifestyle) still liked fatty or high-calorie foods just as much, but no longer wanted to eat them as much. As the researchers say, "Exercise might improve food reward and eating behavior traits linked to the susceptibility to over-consume."

Or in non researcher-speak, I might still love ice cream... but a by-product of regular exercise -- of wanting to improve one area of my life -- means I won't crave ice cream as much. Read more...