Chenosis CEO Calls for Strategic AI Integration Over Hype
The Chief Executive Officer of Chenosis, Saad Syed, has urged businesses to move beyond experimentation and adopt a more strategic and disciplined approach to leveraging artificial intelligence for growth and competitiveness.
Speaking at MTN Business CTIO Roundtable Africa, Mr. Syed noted that while interest in artificial intelligence continues to surge, many organisations are falling into the trap of launching multiple pilot projects without clear direction or measurable outcomes.
According to him, this scattered approach often creates the impression of progress without delivering real business value, stressing that companies must instead focus on initiatives that directly impact performance and profitability.
He explained that artificial intelligence should not be treated as a novelty or a box-ticking exercise, but rather as a strategic tool that must align with a company’s core business objectives, market realities and long-term vision.
Mr. Syed emphasised that the key question for businesses should not be where to apply artificial intelligence, but how it can be used to transform decision-making and drive efficiency across operations.
He pointed out that the technology now enables organisations to make faster and more precise decisions, particularly in areas such as pricing and risk assessment. Businesses, he said, can now tailor decisions to individual customers, specific transactions and unique market conditions in ways that were previously impossible.
Drawing on engagements with financial institutions, Mr. Syed revealed that some firms are already using advanced systems to make real-time credit decisions based on detailed customer profiles, significantly reducing risk and improving accuracy.
He also highlighted the growing importance of collaboration, noting that businesses are increasingly working across industries to combine data, expertise and capabilities to develop more effective solutions.
According to him, as access to artificial intelligence becomes more widespread, what will set organisations apart is not the technology itself, but the quality of their internal knowledge, data and strategic direction.
Mr. Syed stressed that companies with a deep understanding of their operations, customers and markets will be better positioned to maximise the benefits of artificial intelligence.
He further underscored the continued importance of human input, noting that trust, relationships and empathy remain critical in business operations and cannot be replaced by technology.
He cautioned that even the most advanced systems cannot compensate for poor strategy, adding that organisations must rethink their structures, processes and corporate culture to fully harness emerging opportunities.
Mr. Syed called on business leaders to invest in their workforce, encouraging employees to adopt new ways of thinking and embrace innovation.
He maintained that organisations that are willing to adapt, collaborate and act boldly will be best placed to use artificial intelligence to innovate, scale and dominate their markets in the years ahead.
