In this episode of “The CTO Show with Mehmet,” we are joined by Benjamin Bohman, CTO and founder of Stratashield AI. With a rich background in technology spanning 25 years, Ben shares his unique journey from starting as an IT department head at 22 to founding his own AI company. He emphasizes that you don’t need to be a techie to succeed in technology, recounting his initial experience of not even owning a computer before diving into the tech world.
Ben discusses the rapid evolution of AI and its impact on businesses. He notes that while AI has taken the world by storm over the past two years, many businesses are still not ready to fully adopt it. He explains that a significant reason for this hesitation is the lack of budget allocation for AI initiatives. Ben advises against rushing into AI adoption and stresses the importance of AI readiness, which begins with having clean, organized data. He highlights that messy and disparate data systems are a major hurdle for companies looking to implement AI effectively.
Throughout the episode, Ben and Mehmet explore the misconceptions surrounding AI, particularly the belief that AI is either the Terminator or just a chatbot. Ben clarifies that AI’s potential lies in its ability to enhance business processes through data-driven insights and recommendations, rather than making decisions independently. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear business use case and return on investment (ROI) before implementing AI.
The conversation delves into the ethical considerations and security risks associated with AI. Ben underscores the need for businesses to secure their data and ensure that AI systems are used responsibly. He shares insights on how companies can prepare for AI adoption by cleaning up their data lakes and ensuring proper categorization and sequencing of data.
Ben also discusses the challenges and opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in leveraging AI. He advises SMBs to be cautious when selecting AI vendors, as many AI startups may not be around in a few years. He suggests focusing on secure and affordable AI solutions that allow businesses to own and control their data.
The episode concludes with Ben’s vision for the future of AI in the workplace. He envisions AI acting as a co-pilot, handling mundane tasks and freeing up employees’ time for more complex and creative work. He highlights the potential for AI to transform call centers by handling routine inquiries and allowing human agents to focus on more challenging issues.
More About Ben:
Benjamin Bohman is the founder of Stratishield AI, with a career spanning over two decades in the technology arena, beginning with a transformative 13-year tenure as an IT leader at a global printing corporation. Here, he led the charge in implementing groundbreaking technologies that revolutionized flow and process-management for manufacturing. This foundation paved the way for his current role, where he channels his profound understanding of business operations and the potential of AI into Stratishield AI’s mission.
01:03 Ben Bohman’s Background and Journey
03:21 AI in Business: Adoption and Readiness
08:50 Misconceptions and Use Cases of AI
15:59 AI for Small and Medium Businesses
20:39 The Future of AI and Ethical Considerations
40:44 Closing Remarks and Contact Information