In this episode of the Tech Talks Daily Podcast, we welcome Linda Yao, COO of Lenovo’s Solutions and Services Group. With her extensive experience overseeing Lenovo's AI services practice, Linda provides a deep dive into the current state of AI adoption and the strategic approaches businesses can take to bridge organizational gaps and scale AI effectively.

Linda leads Lenovo’s new AI Center of Excellence, which aims to establish internal AI standards and guide customers through their AI journeys. During our conversation, she shares insights from Lenovo’s recent CIO report, highlighting the pressing challenges and opportunities CIOs face in integrating AI into their operations.

One of the core themes Linda discusses is the pivotal role AI plays in driving digital transformation. Despite widespread interest in AI, many organizations struggle with implementing it effectively. Linda outlines the key obstacles, such as security concerns, data readiness, and change management, that companies must address to fully leverage AI's potential. She emphasizes Lenovo’s "security first, people-centric" approach, which ensures that AI implementations are secure, responsible, and tailored to the needs of the workforce.

The conversation also touches on the importance of data readiness. Linda explains how AI acts as a catalyst for improving data infrastructure and analytics maturity. She advises businesses to invest in robust data collection and management strategies to support AI initiatives, underscoring the need for a clear roadmap to balance speed and security.

Linda highlights the significant sustainability benefits AI can offer. She shares examples of how Lenovo has used AI to optimize processes and reduce resource usage, such as doubling the output of refurbished devices. These AI-driven efficiencies not only support sustainability goals but also enhance overall operational effectiveness.

For organizations looking to embark on or accelerate their AI journey, Linda provides practical advice on getting started. She stresses the importance of finding a trusted OT system integrator to navigate the complexities of AI technology and avoid common pitfalls. Linda also emphasizes the value of setting clear, measurable goals to guide AI investments and ensure they deliver tangible business outcomes.

Join us for this insightful episode as Linda Yao shares her expertise on how businesses can successfully adopt and scale AI. How is your organization approaching AI adoption and what challenges have you faced? Share your thoughts and join the discussion!