Should Your MSP Implement or Create AI Solutions?

AI, or artificial intelligence, has evolved from a technology that once seemed applicable only in science fiction films to a reality with an ever-increasing presence in our everyday lives. Personal assistants such as Siri, Alexa, Cortona and Google Home are more prevalent than ever before. We also see an increase in the number of articles discussing self-driving cars and other AI applications that promise to make tasks in the future more effortless.

How will this technology translate into and affect the channel and managed service providers (MSPs)? Is it something your business should be looking at incorporating as a service, product or business process?

Often, new technology starts with the enterprise simply because of its overwhelming expense or complexity, and then moves down market. One great example of this is the chatbot. These artificially intelligent pieces of software simulate conversations with a user, in natural language, through messaging applications or websites. While this tech was originally implemented by larger and more sprawling corporations, chatbots are now easily accessible for small companies to utilize, as well.

Datto and some of our partners have incorporated AI into the customer support process and have made it part of the security measures in products. We also see a lot of opportunities for MSPs with regard to AI and threat detection, security hardening and system monitoring. If you’re looking for an opportunity to create, resell or implement an AI application, how do you begin? Below are four requirements for successful AI:

While the opportunities are large and AI continues to be a buzzword in some industries, there are blockers everyone should consider:

As AI and people’s expectations of AI continue to evolve, MSPs can play a major role as advisors to their clients. There is an opportunity to educate clients on the current technologies and advise them on the solutions that fit best for their business. In addition, the channel can play a role in ensuring AI technologies have the security needed for the business community.

Dive deeper into the topic of AI in our “MSP of the Future: AI and Automation” on-demand webinar. Our Datto experts are joined by Kevin Damghani, Chief Partner Experience Engineer of ITPartners+, to discuss if, how and when AI will impact MSPs and the channel.

Emily Glass is Chief Product Officer, Datto. and Brett McLaughlin is Chief Data Strategist, Datto.

This guest blog is part of a Channel Futures sponsorship.