Introduction to Artificial Intelligence for Strategy & Planning

Artificial Intelligence has been a buzzword for a couple of years now. While browsing through the tech news section you might have breezed through articles/news about AI research in Natural Language Processing or Speech recognition but how many of us actually understand what AI actually means? In layman's term, it simply means that its a process where machines/algorithms store data from every experience, learn from the new inputs and follow human-like decision pattern based on the collective inputs so far.  

I have been working in strategy and planning role for last 7 years and the basic, simple analytics tool that has helped me almost every time was MS Excel. But two major areas where MS Excel lacks is 1) Handling Big Data and 2) Predictive Analysis, even if it for small set of data. 

So as a new year resolution, I am starting a journey towards upgrading my strategy toolkit with Artificial intelligence skill set. To start with the journey we need to define the destination and for that, we need to answer below questions.     

Why? Define the real gap/need in the current process that you are following. 

Me: Predictive analysis  

What? Define what outcomes you want to achieve with these tools 

Me: In-house predictive analysis tool that is easy-to-use and easy to modify for future changes 

How? Define language/platform that would help you get there 

Me: Based on my research, there are various advanced analytics tools available that can be customized as per requirements. But because I don’t really need a tool for big data, I would rather prefer a basic tool built in-house that I can modify as per my requirements. And, that's why Python is a clear winner for me with its range of built-in libraries, easy to code functionalities and open source environment. So the focus of this series is going to be Python. If you are interested in learning about other the languages/platform options in AI for Strategy then please go through my other series AI for Strategy - Languages & Platforms.

Being a type A obsessive compulsive planner, I have listed down my action items by modules to help me get through.  

Module 1 – Understand Basic Python Functionalities 

Module 2 – Identify relevant libraries/functions 

Module 3 – Understand how to build a simple application 

Module 4 – Define problem statement and build a simple application   
Module 5 – Test and reconfigure
Module 6 – Learning & Next steps

Please join in, recommend any other related topic not listed below, and lets evolve together in New age strategy and planning.