What do you do if your organization doesn't recognize your value in the AI field?

I think you can start with curating a portfolio of your projects, emphasizing not just the technical prowess but the tangible business outcomes they've driven. Try to find the reason behind, them not valuing your contributions. You can also initiate discussions about these projects, presenting data and narratives that demonstrate their impact. In addition to that I suggest to propose future AI initiatives, highlighting potential benefits and efficiencies. This approach will eventually transform the perception of your role from a cost-centeric to a strategic asset, compelling recognition and fostering a culture of innovation and appreciation for AI's potential within the organization.

In assessing your impact on AI results, recognize your unique contributions and how they've advanced organizational goals. Reflect on project involvement, innovations, or efficiency enhancements you've driven with your use of AI. Understanding these aspects can show value effectively, linking your efforts to outcomes like system optimization, cost reduction, or decision-making improvements.

Well, AI, for the sake of AI, is useless unless you can show it drives business value - are you overpassionate about AI and moved by every trend because you are intrigued by it, or do you understand how to map business problems to AI solutions? AI has the potential to streamline repetitive work - the question is, do you bring value to your organization from the standpoint of the organization's problems or fantasy? Fantasy might probably get rejected.

When an organization doesn't recognize your value in the AI field: 1. Demonstrate Impact: Show tangible results of AI work. 2. Educate Leaders: Explain AI's importance for business growth. 3. Find Allies: Seek support from colleagues who understand AI's value. 4. Share Success Stories: Highlight successful AI implementations. 5. Stay Updated: Keep learning about AI trends and technologies. 6. Seek Recognition: Nominate for awards and present at conferences. 7. Network: Connect with peers in the AI industry. Explore Options: Consider opportunities in organizations that value AI expertise. These steps can help AI professionals gain recognition and demonstrate their value in the organization.

AI is a Top-Down initiative. It’s critical to start and enable the top to rally the power of AI, including closing the large knowledge gap among business leaders and executives, to start your AI enterprise revolution. Practical steps to start the transformation: 1. Top-Down education on the AI Lifecycle 2. Establish the right Organizational AI Capabilities model (such as hub and spoke) 3. Build a prioritization method to align the strategy with the business 4. Start with a project that is meaningful and that can show that the effort and investment is worthwhile.

Communicating your AI contributions effectively is vital for acknowledgment. Use clear, accessible language to convey your AI work's impact, focusing on its organizational benefits. Regularly share achievements through various formats, aligning them with the company's objectives. Show some easy and understandeble examples and talk about it in an as easy as possible way.

Speak in their language 🔊 We get excited about AI and the teeny details, the cool innovations, the brilliance of the build. But we can bore people, speak in ROI, in benefits, use metaphors.

The ability to communicate effectively transcends the mere sharing of information; it involves making your AI work resonate with stakeholders by linking it directly to the strategic objectives of the company. This requires a shift from technical jargon to a narrative that emphasizes the benefits and strategic value of AI projects. Clear communication ensures that your contributions are not only understood but also valued across the organization, fostering a deeper appreciation for how AI advances the company’s mission.

Clearly communicate your AI contributions, translating technical achievements into understandable impacts. Regularly showcase your successes in relatable terms, aligning your work with the organization’s goals, thereby positioning AI as a strategic advantage.

Avoid rambling and trying to impress people with how much you know. Seek to understand people’s priorities, pain points and use cases. Then articulate clearly and succinctly the potential for AI to intervene in those areas for what’s important to THEM.

Keep improving your AI proficiency by exploring diverse learning platforms and trends. Engage in a blend of formal education, digital courses, and self-guided exploration to stay ahead, also simply reading some articles can get you a long way. This dedication not only enhances your expertise but also showcases your commitment to innovation and excellence in AI!

Commitment to Continuous Learning Staying abreast of evolving AI trends and technologies is crucial for maintaining and enhancing your value within an organization. This commitment to continuous learning signals not just a pursuit of personal excellence but a dedication to contributing cutting-edge solutions to the company. By actively seeking out educational opportunities and embracing new technologies, you demonstrate a proactive approach to professional growth and a readiness to tackle future challenges.

Constantly enhance your AI skills to maintain relevance and add value. Embrace all learning avenues, staying updated with AI advancements, to introduce innovative solutions. This ongoing education underscores your dedication to both personal growth and the organization’s AI success.

Here's how you can approach it: 1. Identify Skill Gaps 2. Continuous Learning 3. Hands-on Projects 4. Networking and Collaboration 5. Document Achievements 6. Educate and Advocate 7. Seek Opportunities for Growth

I dedicate time each week to online courses and participating in AI forums. This habit not only kept me updated on the latest AI trends but also led me to introduce a new tool that increased our project efficiency by 30%. My initiative demonstrated my commitment to growth and innovation.

My time consulting across industries has reinforced that design thinking isn't just a buzzword - it's a powerful catalyst for amplifying the perceived value of AI capabilities. Rather than leading with technical jargon, I found empathizing with stakeholders' strategic priorities and pain points was key. For instance, at a leading CPG firm, reframing supply chain optimization as a competitive advantage for faster product launches resonated deeply with commercial teams. This allowed me to position AI as a critical enabler supporting core business goals.

Just as networking for business it is very important to network in your own team. Strengthen your internal network to let them know your AI expertise. Engage with diverse teams, sharing how AI can make their work easier and better. This collaboration not only improves your role as an AI resource but also partnerships that highlight your AI results.

Share your Value like a Gift 🎁 Communicate across business lines the value your AI Products have generated. The Gift is the potential that what you did with one use case you can possibly do for them.

One of the best opportunities to significantly add value to your direct colleagues and network is by positioning yourself as one of the AI frontrunners in the company. Offer to be the source of AI information for colleagues, offer workshops or 'Lunch 'n Learns'. People will then experience your added value internally.

Building Advocacy and Collaboration Creating a robust internal network is a strategic move that extends the visibility of your AI expertise across the organization. By engaging with colleagues in various departments, you can uncover new applications for AI, advocate for its benefits, and build a coalition of support for AI-driven initiatives. This network not only serves as a platform for showcasing your skills but also fosters interdisciplinary collaborations that can lead to innovative solutions and opportunities.

Proactively seek and utilize feedback on your AI work to improve your contributions and visibility within the organization. Constructive insights from both supervisors and peers can change areas for improvement and spotlight unrecognized efforts. Embrace this exchange to refine your way of working, ensuring your work aligns closely with organizational goals and values.

Embracing Growth through Insights Actively seeking feedback is a powerful tool for understanding how your AI contributions are perceived and identifying areas for improvement. This feedback loop is essential for aligning your efforts more closely with organizational needs and for personal development. By engaging in this reciprocal process, you contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability, which is crucial in the fast-paced field of AI.

Being humble and staying curious is an important aspect of being perceived as an AI contributor in any organization. Most people don’t like know-it-alls, so ask for people’s thoughts and opinions throughout the whole journey. Don’t assume you know what people know, just as you don’t want them to assume you don’t know anything. Ask people for their unique perspectives, for their concerns, what they’re excited about, and what they’re afraid of. Don’t just defend yourself or your ideas, seek to understand others. Both from above and below. Maintain a positive attitude amidst feedback and people will enjoyed taking to you more.

What I found useful was to regularly schedule feedback meetings with my supervisor, focusing not just on my performance but also on the impact of my AI work on the team's goals. This practice helped me identify areas for improvement and better align my efforts with the organization's needs.

Spread your Expertise 👩🏫 Share your knowledge and skills, you can't do it alone and you can equip other with the skills to spread AI across the organization. Your value will be seen indirectly and AI's business value will compound

If your organization doesn't recognize your value in the AI field, mentoring others can be a proactive way to showcase your expertise and contribute to the broader community. Here's how: 1. Share Knowledge 2. Host Workshops or Training Sessions 3. Contribute to Internal Projects 4. Create Documentation and Resources 5. Seek Opportunities for Recognition 6. Network Externally By mentoring others and actively contributing to AI-related initiatives within your organization, you can demonstrate your value and expertise in the field while also fostering a culture of learning and collaboration within your organization.

Pay it forward and share whatever you’ve learned with others. Even if you’re just beginning, help others who know even less learn and get to where you are. The more generous you are with what you know, your experience and your time, the more value you will be creating within the organization. Recognition from top down is often more fragile and fleeting than support from the bottom up and those around you.

I've done this by launching a mentorship program for those interested in AI within my company. Sharing my expertise through regular workshops and one-on-one sessions not only helped others grow but also established me as a go-to AI leader. This approach reinforced my value and the team's capabilities.

If your organisation doesn’t recognise your value in the AI field, then in brief, I’d suggest you find another organisation that does. Every person brings a unique perspective to the table, so if your current environment is less than ideal, then have confidence in your abilities and respect yourself enough to seek out a better and more compatible environment. There would be plenty of other organisations out there that would highly value your AI skills and experience in a global market where there is a severe shortage of such skills.

Start implementing it in your day to day! AI is there to be used as an assistant to give us time to enhance our other skills (sales, relationship building, critical decision making etc) If all of sudden that improves... you will get noticed!

Your next steps, in my experience, really comes down to two questions; 1) What is your employers willingness to use AI? 2) Are other employees actively using AI and you're being excluded? If No#1, you have a choice. Focus on AI adoption and stakeholder management. This is a tough path to follow, but one that ultimately could lead you to being the Chief AI guru. Or it's time to look for a job elsewhere. If No#2, work with your manager to understand what plan is needed to open this work up to you. Keep in mind though, starting afresh elsewhere is often a more straightforward path to follow. Use kaggle to build up a portfolio of aptitude evidence

This section encourages you to share unique experiences, challenges overcome, and insights gained that might not fit traditional metrics of success but are crucial to your professional narrative. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the less quantifiable aspects of your contribution to AI, such as innovation, creativity, and the ability to inspire others. Sharing these stories can enrich your professional profile and highlight the breadth and depth of your contributions beyond conventional achievements.

If you’re undervalued within your organization, seek outside networking opportunities and learning opportunities. Everyone internal already has each other, so if you return with outside information (research, best practices), connections (vendors, candidates, partners), opportunities (partnerships, tech integrations discounts), you will be able to bring something novel to the organization that will contribute to your value as an AI professional.