AI development is accelerating, and many organizations are grappling with the same questions: What should we invest in? And how do we actually create business value from AI? Now, Implema is taking the next step to support customers in this development. Last week, the company launched a new AI forum in the form of round table discussions for customers. The purpose is to create a safe and non-judgmental meeting place where participants can share experiences, benchmark their AI journeys, and discuss next steps. The initiative is led by Mats Stegemann and Jesper Lindsten.
Hello there, Mats and Jesper, what kind of forum have you started?
Mats: We have started an AI forum for our customers, structured as round table discussions. The idea is to gather people who are facing similar questions about AI and create space for open, honest conversations about both opportunities and uncertainties.
Jesper: There are plenty of events and lectures on AI, but fewer forums where you can actually talk to each other. That’s exactly what we want to enable now. The focus is on dialogue, not presentations, and on helping each other move forward in practice.
Why is Implema doing this right now?
Jesper: AI development is happening very quickly, and many organizations feel both opportunities and uncertainty. The questions are no longer if AI should be used, but how and where it creates real value.
Mats: We see a clear need among customers to put their own initiatives into perspective. Hearing how others think, what they have done – and what they have chosen not to do – is often at least as valuable as technical solutions.
What do customers get out of participating?
Mats: Hopefully, they will get inspiration, new perspectives, and the opportunity to reflect their current situation against other organizations. It becomes a form of benchmarking, but in conversation form.
Jesper: And not least, security. Many struggle with the same obstacles: security, data quality, resistance to change, or uncertainty about the capacity of AI models. Sharing those experiences openly is very valuable.
Who can participate? Is this just for AI experts?
Mats: No, definitely not. The forum is aimed at people who, in their role, need to relate to AI, often in leading, strategic, or operationally focused positions.
Jesper: You don’t have to have come far. On the contrary, it is a strength that the participants are in different places in their AI journeys. It creates better conversations and makes it easier to put your own current situation into perspective.
How was the reception of the first event?
Jesper: Very positive. The conversations quickly became concrete and open, which shows that the need for this type of forum is great.
Mats: What stood out was how similar the challenges are. Many have tested AI on a smaller scale, often dependent on individuals, but are now facing the question of how to take the next step in a more structured way.
What insights do you take with you after the start?
Mats: We will come back with some general insights, but it is clear that security is a key issue. Organizations want to move forward with AI, but want to do it responsibly and in a controlled manner.
Jesper: It was exciting to see how different companies have chosen different approaches in their AI work and that there is no definitive answer or a single ‘right’ way forward. Another clear insight is how crucial support from management is. Where there is a clear mandate and commitment from above, it is significantly easier to get initiatives moving and go from idea to actual benefit.
In conclusion, is this the start of a more long-term initiative?
Mats: Given the very positive reception after the first meeting, we absolutely think so. This is the beginning of a recurring forum where we continuously gather customers around AI issues and follow the development together over time.
Jesper: Yes, the ambition now is to build a living network that develops as AI matures in the organizations. Content and focus will be adapted to the needs of the participants, but the basic idea – dialogue, exchange of experience, and joint learning – remains.
Read more about AI and examples of operationally focused AI:
How Nelson Garden improves for its retailers with the help of AI – Implema
Five steps to get started with an AI First strategy – Implema
Why data is the key to success with AI in business systems – Implema
