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EY Strategy and Consulting Launches New AI Project Evaluation Service

EY Strategy and Consulting Co., Ltd., based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, has officially introduced a novel service aimed at evaluating AI utilization projects comprehensively. This service, known as the "AI Project Evaluation Service," will support businesses in making informed decisions regarding investment and enhancing AI projects.

Service Overview

The newly launched service encompasses a multi-faceted evaluation of AI utilization projects, considering various phases including planning, proof of concept (PoC), development, and operation. It aims to objectively assess these projects from perspectives of business, technology, and processes. By visualizing current challenges and identifying improvement opportunities, the service aids in making decisions grounded in facts. Consequently, it seeks to prevent investments that lead to minimal outcomes or unnecessary additional investments, enhancing return on investment (ROI) and creating sustainable business value.

The Demand for Evaluation

The rapid advancement of generative AI and other AI technologies has prompted numerous organizations to accelerate their investments in AI. However, amidst the expansion of AI initiatives, companies face the pressing need to clarify "how to create business value through AI" rather than simply "implementing AI." Yet, there are cases where the expected business value generated by AI is not adequately evaluated, resulting in projects either stalling at the PoC stage or lingering without clear ROI. This situation underscores the increasing necessity for ongoing and objective evaluations throughout various stages of projects—not only focusing on the success of AI implementation but also on clarifying target values and measuring outcomes.

Key Features of the AI Project Evaluation Service

This service is designed not to drive the implementation or development of AI systems directly but rather to evaluate projects from an independent third-party perspective. This approach allows for a multi-dimensional verification of alignment with business strategy (business), feasibility of realizing strategic and business values (technology), and the soundness of promotion plans along with governance and risk management situations (process). Where necessary, it provides recommendations for improvements or adjustments.

By avoiding investments in areas that yield minimal results and proactively identifying the risks tied to mismatches between business requirements and AI models, or the degradation of accuracy due to data quality issues, this service ultimately aims to facilitate reliable, stable, and continuous AI utilization, thus improving ROI.

Support Examples

1. Evaluation of AI Utilization Themes and Projects: From the preparatory phase to the operational phase, the service evaluates the validity, expected effects, and feasibility of AI utilization themes while assisting in prioritizing and making investment decisions.

2. AI Model and Data Quality Evaluation: The service clarifies challenges regarding the reliability and stability of AI model accuracy, supporting continuous AI utilization.

3. AI Governance and Risk Assessment: By assessing data quality, security, compliance, and operational frameworks, this service visualizes risks associated with AI utilization and improvement challenges, proposing necessary countermeasures.

Expert Insight

Yuki Iwamoto, Associate Partner at EYSC's Risk Consulting Division, commented on the service: "In recent years, many companies have engaged in AI implementations, notably with generative AI. Yet, we observe cases where projects remain stalled at the PoC phase or where they proceed without proper ROI validation. With this service, EYSC aims to provide objective evaluations of AI utilization projects, visualizing challenges and considerations, thereby guiding companies to make informed decisions that drive business value creation. We aspire to contribute to sustainable growth of businesses through enhanced ROI from AI utilization."

For further details on the project evaluation services, please visit EY Japan's Project Evaluation Service.

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