Watching the 2024 European Championship soccer matches recently reminded me of something powerful. The sheer intensity of the celebrations after each goal speaks to the enormous effort required by both teams—eleven attacking, eleven defending—all for that one precious score. Each goal is hard-earned, and the jubilation reflects that.
This same intensity and sense of achievement can be found in the world of AI. Like the Academy Awards, where only a select few films are nominated and one emerges victorious, AI/ML projects face similar odds. Hundreds of models may be built, but only a small fraction make it to production. As someone with over two decades of experience in AI across industries, I can attest to the challenge of taking a business problem from definition to production and delivering tangible business value through AI. And the statistics back this up: more than 50%, and in some cases up to 90%, of AI/ML models never reach production.
Why successful AI projects deserve recognition
For those few AI projects that do reach production and deliver significant value, their success deserves recognition—what I call the “Oscars” for AI. These projects are not only technical feats but also powerful business drivers that can transform organizations.
I’ve had the privilege of being a finalist in the Franz Edelman competition by INFORMS, which truly represents the “Oscars” of AI. The competition celebrates the impact of operations research and analytics, with finalist projects delivering cumulative benefits exceeding $292 billion. Some key achievements of past Edelman finalists include:
- Boosting organizational efficiency and profits
- Bringing better products to market
- Fostering peace negotiations and saving lives
This level of achievement is precisely why AI projects that reach this level deserve their own awards.
A look at Walmart’s winning AI project
Take Walmart’s 2023 award-winning project, for example. The retailer used advanced optimization models to transform their supply chain. Here’s what they achieved:
- $75 million in annual savings
- 72 million pounds of CO2 emissions avoided
- Daily optimization of truck routing and loading for sustainability
Their project demonstrates how AI can create both financial and environmental value—showcasing the kind of repeatable, sustainable business impact that deserves recognition.
Teradata’s ClearScape Analytics™: A Contender for the “Oscars”
At Teradata, we’re no strangers to AI success stories. Our AI engine ClearScape Analytics™ has helped leading organizations around the world achieve incredible results with Trusted AI. One notable example comes from a North American healthcare organization, which saw remarkable benefits using ClearScape Analytics. Our commissioned Forrester Consulting Total Economic Impact™ study showed:
- 50% improvement in data science operations
- 3x more AI models managed by data scientists
- $125 million in profit from models powered by ClearScape Analytics
- A 244% ROI achieved within three years
This kind of real, measurable, third-party validated business impact is what we believe truly deserves recognition. Teradata consistently delivers significant value across industries, from financial services to retail and healthcare.
Let’s keep celebrating AI success stories
In the world of AI, it’s not just about building models—it’s about delivering value. Whether it’s optimizing a supply chain, improving healthcare outcomes, or fighting fraud, AI projects that make it to production and drive results should be celebrated with the same intensity as a goal in a championship match.
So, next time you hear about an AI project that’s driving real-world value, think of it as an Oscar-worthy achievement.