In a bold prediction that has ignited discussions across technology and business spheres, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, declared that "superintelligent AI will arrive within 'a few thousand days.'" This assertion, shared through a lengthy post on social media, brings a fresh wave of optimism to an already buzzing fieldWhile many experts have speculated about the impending arrival of artificial superintelligence (ASI) within a five-year timeframe, Altman's stance pushes this expectation to an even more optimistic view.

Artificial Superintelligence refers to a form of AI that possesses intelligence far surpassing human capabilitiesAltman highlighted its potential to genuinely learn from data distributions and extract fundamental rules from any given data setThis emphasis on data underscores the pathway towards ASI, where tools and applications intricately linked to data are rapidly evolving

Business Intelligence (BI), which focuses on uncovering and maximizing the value of data within enterprises, stands out as a critical element in this journey, evolving in sync with AI’s data-handling abilities.

In China, projections indicate that the market for business intelligence software will exceed 3 billion USD by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 20% over the next five yearsThe recognition of BI's value is widespread, yet it faces enduring challenges regarding "product strength." High levels of expertise required for effective BI utilization lead to insufficient internal user coverage, as only certain professionals possess the necessary skillsAdditionally, BI tools often present limited output capabilities, suffering from a lack of reporting diversity and inadequate depth in data analysis.

However, as AI continues to advance towards ASI, innovative approaches to integrating BI and AI are proving essential

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The evolution of AI—from Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI) to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and eventually to ASI—illustrates the deepening understanding of data's relevance and value across various industries, progressively driving real-world applications towards Altman's vision.

One promising manifestation of this evolution is the emergence of intelligent BI, particularly through conversational BI (ChatBI) interfacesMajor players in the field are eagerly embracing this approachFor instance, Microsoft has integrated Copilot capabilities into its flagship BI product, Power BISimilarly, Smartbi debuted its AI Agent-driven intelligent BI tool, Smartbi AIChat, earlier this month, allowing users to engage in data analysis through chat-like interactions reminiscent of ChatGPT.

The association of powerful AI models with BI is paving the way for significant advancements

These breakthroughs highlight the renewed product strength within the realm of BI, making it increasingly accessible and functional for businesses.

Intelligent BI exemplifies this product strength enhancement in several key areas: its user-friendliness is escalated as conversational interfaces diminish barriers to entry, allowing more business personnel to directly access and manipulate data without needing a data analyst or IT specialistSimple commands enable the generation of complex visualizations like bar charts without navigating through cumbersome dashboards, fostering a more intuitive and flexible experience.

Moreover, intelligent BI capabilities facilitate greater diversity in presentation formats, enabling the automatic generation of varied chart types and reports to better articulate data insightsUsers can easily call upon preconfigured graphic components in natural language while also modifying elements like titles and legends to suit their preferences.

Crucially, the accuracy of data analysis remains the core value proposition for clients

Leading firms like Microsoft and Smartbi have expanded their offerings to incorporate various analytical capabilities atop the foundations of traditional BI dashboards and reports, enhancing tools for time calculations, predictive analytics, and causal analyses.

For instance, in its Smartbi Baize product, users can inquire directly about anomalies within monthly contract amounts, and the system will return potential explanationsIn practical applications, this capability was utilized by a securities company during an operational analysis meeting to further probe unusual indicators presented on their dashboard, demonstrating intelligent BI’s shift from mere descriptive capabilities to more profound diagnostic insightsThis transition allows business and management personnel to receive data-driven prescriptions closely aligned with their strategic needs.

Yet, while intelligent BI brings forth an array of structural improvements in product strength, the foundational challenges stemming from combining AI and BI cannot be overlooked

The advent of intelligent BI marks a significant inflection point in business intelligence, enhancing growth trajectories while also intensifying competitive dynamicsNot all firms can jump onto the AI + BI bandwagon seamlessly; substantial barriers exist, often dictating which companies can thrive in this transformative landscape.

As the competitive landscape for BI intensifies, veteran firms face potent rivals as newer entrants capitalize on the AI + BI trend to gain groundThe dynamics outlined in the "2023 China Business Intelligence and Analytics Software Market Tracking Report" reveal a compelling shift: companies like Fanruan and Smartbi are not only emerging as dominant players but are also surpassing international competitors to establish themselves firmly in the marketNotable mentions include Microsoft, SAP, and IBM, which have had their once-unassailable positions challenged

The upward thrust of domestic companies within this sector reflects a significant change where, amidst evolving trends and substantial consumer trust, collaboration between domestic and international entities is becoming increasingly vital.

This narrative plays out compellingly with Smartbi, which has recorded exceptional growthThe company leads the sector with a staggering 45.7% growth rate, eclipsing many rivals to become a market force, thanks to its commitment to intelligent BI, a factor directly tied to its strategic preparation in the AI landscape.

To decipher the landscape of intelligent BI’s rapid evolution, several critical thresholds emerge that define success in the blended AI + BI environmentCompanies must excel not only in AI and BI individually but must also effectively combine them to leverage their full potential.

Starting with the "AI" component, firms must recognize that embedding large models into BI tools is merely a step in an ongoing integration journey

Smartbi's instance of leveraging its natural language analytics (NLA) capabilities, enabling conversational analytics from as far back as 2019, underscores the deep-seated approach necessary for successSuch a commitment fosters an environment where sophisticated tools like Copilot can flourish, offering users the ability to craft data models seamlessly, propelling digital transformation across enterprises.

Equally crucial is the "BI" aspect—BI capabilities must be deeply ingrained to realize AI’s potential in this realmThe complexities of data models and metric models create a foundation that allows AI to shine, signaling where firms like Microsoft and Smartbi excel through years of research and developmentTheir proactive building of star schemas, OLAP capabilities, and other structural frameworks have become substantial assets.

The "plus" sign in AI + BI emphasizes the necessity for industry-specific expertise and application

The rapid growth of Smartbi in the banking sector, bolstered by its understanding of industry-specific needs and practices, underscores the value of having practical insights and operational know-how at one’s disposalSuch knowledge creates barriers that competitors without vested experience struggle to overcome, as evidenced by fluctuating rankings and performance metrics in industry reports.

In retrospect, the rise of intelligent BI, infused with AI capabilities, exemplifies an era where businesses gain value through data-driven insights, fostering enhanced operational efficiencies and ultimately cultivating a competitive edgeThe intertwining of AI, BI, and domain knowledge forms a robust framework that empowers firms to navigate the complexities of modern business environments while achieving growth and transformation.

As we step further into 2023, the impact of AI on business intelligence continues to be profound, signaling a shift in operational dynamics across industries