Tech & AI LIVE: Gen AI – Semih Kumluk, PwC Keynote

December 09, 2024

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Semih Kumluk, Head of AI at PwC shares his vision for unlocking generative AI’s potential and achieving organisation-wide transformation

At Tech & AI LIVE: Gen AI, Semih Kumluk, Head of AI at PwC, shared his vision for achieving transformation through Gen AI. By focusing on strategies that integrate AI into everyday workflows, Semih provided a practical guide for organisations looking to unlock the full potential of this technology.

Transforming workplaces with Gen AI: The challenge and opportunity

Gen AI has been heralded as a game-changer, but its adoption comes with unique challenges.

Semih highlights the democratisation of AI as a key advantage, noting, “Gen AI is no longer just for technical experts; it is a tool for everyone.”

Yet, this broad applicability also presents barriers—many employees remain unaware of the technology’s full potential, limiting its impact.

Semih cautions that simply providing access to AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot isn’t enough.

“Even when licences are available, many employees only use these tools for basic tasks, like search queries,” he explains. To foster genuine transformation, organisations need to go further by educating employees on advanced use cases and embedding AI into their culture.

Semih Kumluk, Head of AI at PwC

Building a roadmap: From education to integration

Semih outlines a phased approach to achieving Gen AI-driven transformation, focusing on education, experimentation, and upskilling:

1. Comprehensive training programmes

Effective adoption begins with training employees on how to use Gen AI effectively. Semih emphasises that these sessions should go beyond surface-level functionalities.

“We need to teach people that Gen AI is more than a tool for writing emails—it’s a mentor, a problem solver, and a storytelling assistant,” he says.

To address varying levels of familiarity, Semih suggests tailored approaches, including one-on-one coaching for senior leaders. This ensures that all employees, regardless of role or technical expertise, can benefit from AI tools.

2. Use case libraries

Once employees are familiar with the basics, organisations should build a repository of proven use cases. This library can serve as a starting point for employees, demonstrating practical applications in areas such as HR, IT, and marketing.

“Providing examples of effective prompts and workflows accelerates adoption,” Semih explains.

3. Custom AI solutions

Workshops that guide teams in developing bespoke AI tools, like custom GPTs, were highlighted as a game-changing strategy.

“The goal is to help employees build AI solutions tailored to their specific pain points, making the technology immediately useful,” Semih says.

Measuring success and scaling AI adoption

Semih underlines the importance of tracking return on investment (ROI) throughout the transformation process. By calculating time savings and productivity gains against licence costs, organisations can justify further investment in AI tools and infrastructure.

Regular surveys and feedback loops help capture data on AI’s impact, ensuring continuous improvement.

For companies ready to scale, Semih suggests leveraging open-source models or fine-tuning existing AI systems to integrate internal data securely.

“Organisations with sensitive data may need to develop on-premises solutions, but the goal remains the same: enable seamless access to operational data through AI interfaces,” he explains.

Semih Kumluk, Head of AI at PwC

Culture and the future of AI in the workplace

The conversation concludes with a reflection on the cultural shift required for widespread AI adoption.

Semih proposes long-term upskilling programmes as a way to embed AI into organisational culture. These programmes could include hackathons, capstone projects and mentorship opportunities to foster collaboration and innovation.

Semih likens the adoption of Gen AI to the rise of personal computers: “Fifty years ago, no business professional could have imagined working without a computer. Gen AI will follow the same trajectory, becoming an indispensable skill for every role.”