Innovative AI: A Conversation with EY’s Michael Casey and Gaurav Rastogi

In the latest episode of “Insights for IT Negotiations,” hosts John Belden and Kylie Chisholm talk with Michael Casey and Gaurav Rastogi from EY about ERP implementations and generative AI. They discuss how EY uses generative AI to improve business processes and project outcomes, sharing valuable insights on the innovative tools and strategies employed by EY to stay ahead in the ever-evolving IT landscape.

Meet the Guests

Michael Casey: CTO for SAP and ERP at EY

Michael Casey brings decades of experience in large-scale systems and business transformations. His focus has always been on optimizing the implementation lifecycle through better tools and processes. Casey emphasizes the importance of addressing complex architectures and global implementations, ensuring that new technologies are leveraged effectively for business value.

Gaurav Rastogi: Technology Engineering Expert at EY

Gaurav Rastogi’s background in technology engineering complements Casey’s expertise. Rastogi is deeply involved in evaluating emerging technologies and setting up labs to prototype and test these innovations. His role at EY involves providing strategic advice and hands-on guidance to clients, helping them understand and adopt new technologies for enhanced business value.

EY’s Investment in Generative AI

Creating Value with AI Tools

EY has made substantial investments in generative AI, aiming to deliver significant value to their clients. One prominent example is EYQ, their version of Copilot. This tool provides widespread access to AI capabilities for EY employees, enhancing productivity by streamlining workflows and facilitating the sharing of innovative solutions. The introduction of EYQ has led to improved efficiency and effectiveness across various business processes.

Collaboration and Communication Enhancements

To enhance collaboration and streamline communications in large projects, EY uses agents powered by NVIDIA. These digital agents handle program communications, saving time and ensuring consistency. By using agents for program charters, weekly updates, and key announcements, EY ensures that communication is effective and accessible to all team members, regardless of location or language.

Practical Applications of AI

Functional Design and Shift Left Approach

EY employs AI to create functional designs, embracing a shift left approach in the software development lifecycle. This methodology focuses on getting things right early in the process to save costs and reduce errors later. By using AI-powered design platforms, EY ensures that designs are comprehensive, accurate, and aligned with best practices, leading to higher first-pass acceptance rates and smoother project executions.

Streamlining Project Communications

The use of digital avatars for program communications exemplifies how EY leverages AI to streamline processes. These avatars create and disseminate digital content quickly, ensuring that key messages are delivered consistently and effectively. This approach not only saves time but also ensures that all team members are on the same page, regardless of their time zone or language preferences.

Risks and Considerations

Over-Reliance and Human Oversight

Casey and Rastogi caution against over-reliance on AI. While AI can significantly enhance productivity, it is crucial to have human oversight to guide and validate AI outputs. They emphasize that AI should be viewed as a tool to augment human capabilities, not replace them. Continuous evaluation of AI models is necessary to ensure they meet business requirements, reduce biases, and provide accurate, reliable results.

Data Privacy and Security Concerns

Another key consideration is data privacy and security. EY takes data privacy seriously, implementing safeguards to ensure that sensitive information is protected. By securing their AI tools and maintaining strict data governance policies, EY ensures that client information remains confidential and secure, mitigating risks associated with AI adoption.

Looking to the Future of Innovative AI

Adaptable Architectures for Future Technologies

Rastogi highlights the importance of designing adaptable and loosely coupled architectures to quickly integrate new technologies. As AI continues to evolve, businesses need to ensure that their systems can accommodate these advancements without significant disruptions. By adopting a flexible approach, companies can stay ahead of technological trends and capitalize on new opportunities.

The Evolution of AI and Its Implications

Looking ahead, the evolution of AI is expected to bring about significant changes. While current language models are not yet reasoning models, future advancements will likely make today’s tools seem primitive. EY is committed to staying at the forefront of AI research, continuously exploring new models and capabilities to deliver cutting-edge solutions to their clients.

Conclusion

EY leverages generative AI to enhance business processes, streamline project communications, and improve design accuracy. Through strategic investments and a focus on continuous innovation, EY ensures that they remain a leader in the IT industry. The company stresses the importance of human oversight, continuous evaluation, and preparing for future technological advancements to maximize the benefits of AI while mitigating potential risks.

By embracing generative AI and other emerging technologies, EY is well-positioned to help their clients navigate the complexities of digital transformation and achieve their business goals. Through their expertise and innovative approach, EY continues to set the standard for excellence in the IT consulting industry.

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