Karim Al-Suwaidi: Emerging Markets Have a Real Advantage in AI Thanks to Their Flexibility

As AI adoption rapidly accelerates worldwide, business discussions are shifting towards a deeper question: how can this technology move beyond being just a tool and become a powerful force that reshapes how organizations operate? In this context, Karim Al-Suwaidi, an AI Operations Expert at Retool, emphasizes that AI is no longer just a tech add-on for companies. Instead, it's completely redefining how businesses are managed, from decision-making to how workflows move between different teams. Al-Suwaidi points out that the main gap in the market today isn't about weak tools or a lack of investment. It's about companies' ability to truly integrate AI into their operational structure. He explains that many organizations treat AI as a PR project or a standalone initiative, rather than seeing it as a fundamental shift in how they work. He adds that the biggest challenge is for companies to move from experimenting with AI to actually implementing it. It's not enough to just buy smart solutions or announce them; internal processes need to be redesigned to fit AI's capabilities, especially in areas like data management, workflow chains, and productivity. Al-Suwaidi stresses that companies that succeed in this phase are those that adopt a clear framework for prioritizing AI use. This framework relies on three key elements: expected value, implementation cost, and the readiness of the operational infrastructure. This approach allows them to move from general initiatives to applications that have a tangible impact. Regarding the role of external partners, Al-Suwaidi clarifies that the rapid evolution of AI has created a new reality where it's difficult for organizations to rely solely on their internal capabilities, especially with increasing technical complexity. Companies need flexibility and speed in execution. He also notes that developing AI products is fundamentally different from traditional software. It doesn't stop at launch; it's in a state of continuous development. This requires building feedback systems and constant updates to ensure performance improvement. Looking at the structure of future organizations, Al-Suwaidi predicts that current jobs will evolve rather than disappear. New roles will emerge related to managing AI systems and monitoring their performance, driven by a growing need for clear responsibilities within an increasingly complex operational environment. When it comes to emerging markets, he believes they have a real competitive opportunity in this transformation. This is due to their operational flexibility and their freedom from being tied down by complex legacy tech systems. This gives them a faster ability to rebuild business models and benefit from modern technologies. He concludes by saying that the success of companies in the age of AI won't depend on the size of investments or the number of slogans. Instead, it will hinge on their ability to start with small, well-thought-out steps and turn them into measurable results through continuous learning and gradual performance improvement.