The real battle for generative AI in software
When it comes to technology, we often think of the companies that create the technology as the ones causing the disruption. But the real force behind major innovations? The consumer. Just as the rise of mobile technology was fueled by everyday users, the explosion of generative AI can be traced back to the consumers who actually use it. Gen AI’s presence in B2B started when people asked, “Why can’t I have that at work?” In many cases, Gen AI took off in the workplace because it has taken off at home. When OpenAI released ChatGPT, it wasn’t just a shiny new gimmick; it was a game-changer that created a wave of consumer interest and quickly caught the attention of companies around the world. And while many companies have been working in the Gen AI space for years, the push from B2C has really accelerated this technology in the B2B space.
What makes Gen AI so attractive is that it is something that people can easily understand and use. And it’s amazing. Gen AI has captured the imagination of both consumers and companies. While tech giants like OpenAI, Google and Microsoft look to weave Gen AI into their products, the real battle is not just about who can build the most advanced AI, but who can keep pace with growing consumer demand.
Software companies are now in a race to roll out Gen AI features as quickly as possible. But the real challenge lies in meeting the expectations of employees and customers who are eager to see the benefits of AI in their daily lives.
With that in mind, here are my top tips on how businesses can stay ahead in this fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
Global high-tech industry leader for Capgemini.
Empower your developers
The heart of any software company is its developers. Gen AI offers a boon to boost their creativity and productivity. By providing developers with access to the latest AI tools, organizations not only enable them to automate more mundane tasks such as code generation, documentation, and bug fixing, but also unlock their potential to tackle larger, more complex problems. to take.
This has also led to improved collaboration between technical and business teams. From better communication to explaining what the code does in natural language; Gen AI makes the connection between software engineers and other business teams more effective. In fact, 78% of software professionals are optimistic about Gen AI’s potential to improve collaboration.
Gen AI can even act as a brainstorming buddy, bringing out ideas and solutions that may not have occurred to developers yet. This collaborative atmosphere accelerates the pace of development and keeps teams on their ‘A’ game – providing opportunities for consistent learning and improvement. As developers become more comfortable with AI, they will push the boundaries of what is possible, an extremely important competitive advantage in this evolving landscape.
Data remains king
Software companies have another major advantage when it comes to Gen AI: they own their data. The more structured the data is, the easier it is to train against it. This gives software companies an advantage in offering Gen AI around their services. The more features a customer can get, the more likely the customer will fully buy into a company.
Imagine that a life insurance company has built its CRM system around one vendor, has its data storage with another vendor, and those different systems can’t connect to each other. How can this life insurer leverage Gen AI? If the CRM vendor has all this structured data around the customer, they can create and offer great Gen AI features where the customer doesn’t have to go anywhere else to address the challenge of disparate data. They can get all the Gen AI features they need from their CRM vendor, eliminating the need for data warehouse vendors. That is a major competitive advantage for the CRM supplier. It’s a race, and our view on the race is that we want to enable our customers’ developers to work better with Gen AI so they can do all these things faster. We want to work with CIOs to help them adopt Gen AI internally faster. pave the way. It’s all about finding the right balance between speed and relevance, combined with developer productivity over structured data.
Transform your processes with “Agentic Roles”
Introducing generative AI to your business isn’t just about making things more efficient, it’s about transforming the way you work. By integrating it into daily operations, organizations can streamline workflows, reduce manual tasks, and make smarter decisions faster. Think real-time data analysis that provides instant insight and helps talent make better decisions in areas such as customer service, supply chain and product development. But what was considered a process in the past must now be seen as a series of Gen AI agents fulfilling the roles of key human decision makers along the way. This is re-engineering on steroids.
Automating repetitive tasks with AI not only saves time, but can also save money. And with those additional resources, companies can focus on more strategic, fruitful projects. The trick is not to see AI as a separate part of the tech stack, but as a new way of working.
Adopt a platform mentality
In the rush to adopt AI features, it’s easy to think of Gen AI as just another tool in the box, but to truly unlock its potential, companies need to think bigger: adopt a platform mentality. This means seeing AI as the foundation that supports and enhances all your products and services, not just as a one-off feature. AI could be the moment in the sun for VPs of Engineering and Platforms. They are no longer a forgotten factor to bring features to market, but ARE the future of the company.
A platform mentality drives the development of AI-driven solutions that are scalable and adaptable across different parts of your business. Defining the work you do through Agents strengthens this role. This approach not only helps create versatile platforms that deliver long-term value, but also ensures that AI is smoothly integrated into your organization’s entire value proposition. By thinking in terms of platforms rather than solely products, organizations are better equipped to meet the changing needs of their customers and stay ahead of the AI game.
The real battle for Gen AI in software isn’t just about who can build the best technology – it’s about maintaining momentum in a sea of increasing consumer demand. Companies that empower their developers, transform to agentic thinking and adopt a platform mentality will not only keep pace with this demand; they will lead the way in this new era of innovation. Those who come out on top are those who understand that generative AI isn’t just about making cool products, but about driving real, meaningful change that resonates with both businesses and consumers.
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