Ibrahim Anwar: 5 Key Questions Companies Must Ask Before Adopting AI

Before your company invests in any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Egyptian entrepreneur and engineer Ibrahim Anwar, CEO of Sabeeka, believes there are five fundamental questions you need to answer first. These questions will help determine your company's readiness and ensure you achieve a real return from these technologies. He explained in a post that the first question is: Does your company have a clear problem that AI can help solve, or are you just using it to keep up with popular trends? He noted that a lack of clear objectives reduces the chances of gaining real value from the investment. Anwar added that the second question relates to data readiness: Is your company's data organized and reliable, or is it scattered across Excel files, messaging apps, and employee memories? He emphasized that data quality is the foundation for the success of any AI project. He pointed out that the third question focuses on operational processes: Does your company have clear workflows that can be automated, or are you trying to automate disorganized processes? He clarified that AI doesn't fix operational chaos; it might even amplify its effects. He explained that the fourth question is: Does your team have the skills and willingness to use AI tools, or will these tools be abandoned shortly after implementation? He highlighted that successful transformation depends as much on human readiness as it does on technology. Anwar added that the fifth and final question is: Has your company defined clear metrics to measure results, such as cost reduction, time savings, or increased sales? He stressed that without performance indicators, it's difficult to assess the feasibility of AI investment. Anwar affirmed that companies without clear answers to these questions should first identify their most time-consuming operations, decisions requiring more accurate data, and repetitive tasks suitable for automation. They should also estimate the expected return from applying AI technologies, rather than randomly purchasing new tools. He noted that the best use of AI isn't the most complex or exciting; instead, it's the use that addresses a real problem and achieves measurable results. He also announced the launch of the "AI Company Readiness Assessment," a free evaluation that gives companies a score out of one hundred points. This assessment includes an analysis of data, operations, team, and strategy, along with practical recommendations to help companies determine the right starting point for adopting AI.