C5i Introduces AI Impact Model for Maximizing ROI on AI Investments
On June 19, 2025, C5i, a leading AI and analytics firm, officially launched an innovative framework known as the 'AI Impact Model.' This proprietary model aims to help organizations accurately predict and optimize the business impact of their investments in artificial intelligence (AI). Designed in response to a pressing need for measurable returns from growing AI initiatives, the AI Impact Model seeks to provide a systematic, science-based approach that empowers business leaders in making informed investment decisions.
The development of this model was piloted with several Fortune 500 companies, ensuring its practical applicability and relevance. Notably, it will also be part of an elective course offered through Kellogg School of Management's online program, which focuses on AI Strategies for Business Transformation.
The AI Impact Model evaluates enterprise AI initiatives through a framework based on five crucial factors—referred to as 'AI value levers'—that influence the success of these projects. These levers encompass problem definition, data quality, technology infrastructure, talent acquisition, and execution capabilities. By utilizing actual training data and insights gained from various enterprise partners, the model allows leaders to conduct detailed scenario analyses. This enables them to predict potential business outcomes and simulate how enhancements to specific value levers can improve the efficacy of an AI initiative.
For organizations wrestling with a plethora of AI opportunities, this model presents a robust, data-driven strategy to navigate competing investment options effectively. One notable user of the model is Lenovo, a global technology leader known for its innovation in personal computers, smartphones, and data solutions. Lenovo's President and Global Head of Ecommerce, Ajit Sivadasan, emphasized the significance of this model in helping the company prioritize its extensive list of AI programs, thereby optimizing their business impacts.
Sivadasan stated, 'We have always been at the cutting edge of leveraging data and technology. We have a long list of AI program opportunities, and we will leverage the AI impact model to prioritize within that list to optimize business impact.' This demonstrates how the AI Impact Model can serve as a strategic tool for maximizing ROI from technological investments.
Ashwin Mittal, Executive Chairman of C5i, further elaborated on the necessity of such a framework, indicating the challenges organizations typically face in realizing the anticipated benefits of AI investments. 'At C5i, we're all about driving business impact for clients. The promise of value from AI investments is considerable, yet deriving an actual impact proves difficult,’ he commented. Acknowledging that organizational resources are often finite, Mittal noted how this model provides a reliable mechanism to prioritize AI investments from numerous potential use cases.
Dr. Mohanbir Sawhney, a Clinical Professor of Marketing at Kellogg and co-creator of the model, pointed out that while many companies are still exploring AI’s capabilities, the transition to large-scale AI implementation requires careful consideration of expected returns and the factors that influence them. He stated, 'The time has come to move beyond proof-of-concept and get serious about driving tangible value from enterprise-grade AI.' The AI Impact Model not only quantifies the impact of various forms of AI—including generative and agentic AI—on business growth and productivity but also assists leaders in identifying and prioritizing valuable investments on a larger scale.
In conclusion, the launch of the AI Impact Model by C5i marks a significant advancement in the field of AI-driven business strategy. By integrating empirical data and offering actionable insights, C5i is poised to help organizations navigate the complexities of AI investments and realize their full potential. The elective course created by Kellogg School of Management ensures that a broader audience of business leaders can access and apply these strategies in their enterprises, ultimately contributing to enhanced operational effectiveness in the domain of AI.
The development of this model was piloted with several Fortune 500 companies, ensuring its practical applicability and relevance. Notably, it will also be part of an elective course offered through Kellogg School of Management's online program, which focuses on AI Strategies for Business Transformation.
The AI Impact Model evaluates enterprise AI initiatives through a framework based on five crucial factors—referred to as 'AI value levers'—that influence the success of these projects. These levers encompass problem definition, data quality, technology infrastructure, talent acquisition, and execution capabilities. By utilizing actual training data and insights gained from various enterprise partners, the model allows leaders to conduct detailed scenario analyses. This enables them to predict potential business outcomes and simulate how enhancements to specific value levers can improve the efficacy of an AI initiative.
For organizations wrestling with a plethora of AI opportunities, this model presents a robust, data-driven strategy to navigate competing investment options effectively. One notable user of the model is Lenovo, a global technology leader known for its innovation in personal computers, smartphones, and data solutions. Lenovo's President and Global Head of Ecommerce, Ajit Sivadasan, emphasized the significance of this model in helping the company prioritize its extensive list of AI programs, thereby optimizing their business impacts.
Sivadasan stated, 'We have always been at the cutting edge of leveraging data and technology. We have a long list of AI program opportunities, and we will leverage the AI impact model to prioritize within that list to optimize business impact.' This demonstrates how the AI Impact Model can serve as a strategic tool for maximizing ROI from technological investments.
Ashwin Mittal, Executive Chairman of C5i, further elaborated on the necessity of such a framework, indicating the challenges organizations typically face in realizing the anticipated benefits of AI investments. 'At C5i, we're all about driving business impact for clients. The promise of value from AI investments is considerable, yet deriving an actual impact proves difficult,’ he commented. Acknowledging that organizational resources are often finite, Mittal noted how this model provides a reliable mechanism to prioritize AI investments from numerous potential use cases.
Dr. Mohanbir Sawhney, a Clinical Professor of Marketing at Kellogg and co-creator of the model, pointed out that while many companies are still exploring AI’s capabilities, the transition to large-scale AI implementation requires careful consideration of expected returns and the factors that influence them. He stated, 'The time has come to move beyond proof-of-concept and get serious about driving tangible value from enterprise-grade AI.' The AI Impact Model not only quantifies the impact of various forms of AI—including generative and agentic AI—on business growth and productivity but also assists leaders in identifying and prioritizing valuable investments on a larger scale.
In conclusion, the launch of the AI Impact Model by C5i marks a significant advancement in the field of AI-driven business strategy. By integrating empirical data and offering actionable insights, C5i is poised to help organizations navigate the complexities of AI investments and realize their full potential. The elective course created by Kellogg School of Management ensures that a broader audience of business leaders can access and apply these strategies in their enterprises, ultimately contributing to enhanced operational effectiveness in the domain of AI.
Topics Business Technology）
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