What is “+AI” and “AI+”?
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a buzzword—it has become a strategic lever for organizations to reimagine business models, enhance decision-making, and deliver superior customer experiences, creating value for stakeholders. However, the way organizations adopt AI determines whether they merely automate tasks or fundamentally transform how they create value.
Among many, two common approaches are emerging in this journey: “+AI” and “AI+.” While they may look similar at first glance, the difference between the two is profound.
What is “+AI”?
“+AI” refers to adding AI to existing products, processes, tools, or workflows.
Think of it as augmentation—AI is added on top of what already exists.
Example: Embedding an AI chatbot into customer service to handle routine queries.
The business model remains largely the same, but efficiency and productivity improve.
“+AI” is about optimization.
What is “AI+”?
“AI+” flips the Game—AI becomes the starting point (discussion starts in Boardroom), not an add-on.
Organizations reimagine processes, products, and strategies with AI at the core.
Example: Redesigning the entire customer service function around AI-first capabilities, ie, not even thinking about human agents as part of the game—predictive personalization, proactive outreach, and self-healing systems.
This will lead to new business models for sure, revenue streams, and competitive advantage.
“AI+” is about transformation.
Why Move from “+AI” to “AI+”?
The vast business opportunity with AI, forecasted by Gartner to bring USD 3 to 4 trillion in economic benefits to the global economy across industries. It is not a choice but a Compulsion. Is it an existential question?
Scalability: “+AI” improves parts of the process; “AI+” redefines the whole Product/System for exponential impact.
Resilience: “AI+” strategies build adaptive, learning organizations ready for disruption.
Differentiation: In a world where everyone is adding AI, true edge comes from rethinking business models with AI at the center creating long lasting moat.
Innovation: “AI+” opens doors to entirely new Business Models, Products, Services, and Markets—not just incremental gains.
Long-term Value: While “+AI” delivers quick wins, “AI+” future-proofs the organization in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The Shift in Mindset
“+AI” asks: “How can AI help us do what we already do—better?”
“AI+” asks: “If we had AI at the center, how would we design this from scratch?”
Forward-looking organizations are already making this shift—from experimenting with AI pilots to embedding AI into the very DNA of their strategies.
Conclusion –
When AI is changing the business landscape every passing month, the real opportunity for organizations lies not in simply adding AI to existing structures, but in reimagining the future as an “AI-First Enterprise”. The transition from “+AI” to “AI+” is not just a technological leap, but a strategic one—one that separates industry leaders from followers.
The question is no longer “Should we adopt AI?” but rather “Are we ready to transform into an “AI+” Organization?”
Are you an “AI+” Organization?
About the Author
Pramod Mankar is a seasoned technology leader with extensive global experience spanning GCC, AI SaaS, Product and Platform Engineering, Management, and Strategy. He is recognized for his ability to drive product vision with a strong focus on customer empathy, guided by the principles of design thinking and innovation.
Throughout his career, Pramod has demonstrated expertise in establishing and scaling world-class product engineering organizations. He has built high-performing, polyglot, and agile teams through strategic hiring, mentoring, coaching, and succession planning—fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration. His technical proficiency extends across platformization, SaaS, analytics, large-scale enterprise applications, DevOps, cloud, and AI/ML.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Pramod is an avid reader and networker who values balance and simplicity in life. A fitness enthusiast who enjoys running and swimming, he is also a strong advocate of sustainability and firmly believes in the principles of “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.”
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