From AI POC to Production: Moving Beyond the Tech Test

In today’s AI landscape, it’s easy to get caught in the hype. Everyone’s talking about AI’s transformational possibilities, and many organizations are spinning up Proofs of Concept (POCs). But all too often, these POCs end up as time sinks—plenty of testing, but little tangible success. Why?

Here’s the problem: if your POC is only focused on testing the tech—whether it’s the algorithms, protocols, LLMs, or infrastructure—you risk falling into what I like to call “POC Hell.” This is where you’re bogged down in endless debates about which method or approach is best, but you lose sight of the bigger picture: proving success.

So, how can we avoid this trap?

Start with the WOW moments.

What are the critical outcomes that will truly define success for your AI initiative? These are the moments that will leave stakeholders saying, “Wow, this is working!” They could be anything from reducing processing time by 20% to increasing customer engagement or enhancing decision-making accuracy.

A good POC is not just about testing what’s under the hood; it’s about defining and measuring these WOW moments upfront. These moments give you clear, actionable benchmarks for success.

How to structure it:

1. Define the WOWs first. What does success look like for your project? What will make stakeholders feel the AI solution is worth scaling?

2. Backtrack to design your POC. Once you know your WOW moments, structure your POC to test whether the AI solution can meet those outcomes. Focus on measurable KPIs.

3. Measure, learn, iterate. A POC isn’t a one-time event. Continuously assess whether the solution is achieving the WOW moments and adapt accordingly.

Remember: the goal of any POC is not just to prove the technology works, but to prove it delivers tangible value in a real-world context. So, before you dive into your next POC, ask yourself: What WOW moments are we trying to achieve, and how will we measure them?

By shifting your focus from technology to outcomes, you’ll be much more likely to move from POC to production with real, impactful results.

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