GenAI Implementation Challenges in TMT Sector: Infrastructure Readiness Tops the List

A PwC India report identifies tech infrastructure readiness as one of the top challenges for TMT (technology, media, telecom) companies implementing Generative AI (GenAI). Issues arise from needing new technologies and infrastructure overhauls. Other challenges include data availability, skilled workforce, and ethical concerns, pushing companies towards AI governance frameworks.

Tech infrastructure readiness has emerged as one of the top three challenges organisations in the technology, media, and telecom (TMT) sector face when implementing Generative AI (GenAI) solutions, according to a report by PwC India.

The report highlights that the infrastructure readiness issue is particularly acute because TMT companies often need to invest in new technologies and infrastructure, sometimes requiring a complete overhaul.

While GenAI has the potential to revolutionise the telecom sector's operations, a staggering 90 percent of telecom companies find integrating complexities a major deterrent. Integrating new systems with existing ones is complex and time-consuming, mirroring constraints faced in the technology and media sectors, the report reveals, drawing insights from over 100 C-suite executives and senior leaders across the TMT sector.

Implementing GenAI solutions often necessitates extra computational resources and sophisticated algorithms, limiting scalability and efficiency if these demands are unmet, the report says.

Other challenges for enterprises include data availability, lack of skilled workforce, leadership alignment, and lack of proven use cases. Concerns over control, safety, and accountability are also prominent.

Companies also face ethical issues like bias, discrimination, misuse, data privacy, copyright protection, and ensuring transparency in complex algorithms, as noted in the report.

As a result, companies face increasing pressure from regulators and shareholders to create AI governance structures. Although some common frameworks are starting to take shape, large-scale adoption remains limited, PwC noted.

(With inputs from agencies.)