The AI Lifecycle in Companies and the Critical Success Factors

This session explored the lifecycle of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science within companies, from the first steps to scaling with intention. We examined how organisations can begin using AI, how to prepare the organisation for its adoption, how to identify where it is most useful and effective, how to test it in specific processes, how to implement it successfully, and finally how to scale it to extract maximum strategic value.

The programme featured participation from member companies of the DCA‑IA, experts in the field, who shared real experiences and best practices. Attendees learned first‑hand how different companies have travelled this path, from initial inspiration to practical application and large‑scale optimisation.

Programa

The session was structured into four parts:

Inspiration: How to align AI and my data with the company’s strategy
Technological kick‑off: Implementation and development of pilots
Scalability: How to scale, govern, and control the implementation of AI within the company
Organisational culture and strategy

Classe magistral impartida per la DCA-IA

Play video Descarrega't la presentació

Taught by:

Barbara Eisele, Ray G. Butler, Josep Maria Felguera, Pau Molinas i Sandra Arcos

Barbara Eisele– AI Community Manager, DCA‑IA: She holds a degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology, with additional training in Innovation, a Master’s in Communication and Public Relations, and further studies in Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, and Social Impact. She has 10 years of experience in managing strategic alliances for the development and implementation of innovative projects. In 2023, she joined i2CAT to lead the activation of the Catalan startup ecosystem in artificial intelligence within the DCA‑IA (Digital Catalonia Alliance, i2CAT Foundation).
Ray G. Butler– Director of Data Science at Butler Scientific: He holds a degree in Computer Science from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and an Executive MBA from EADA, Barcelona. In 2012, he founded Butler Scientifics, where he drives AutoDiscovery, a data exploration software for hospitals, universities, and pharmaceutical companies. He currently focuses on the automation of data science and collaborates with medical centres and multinational pharmaceutical companies.
Josep Maria Felguera – Director de Negoci de SCHUMPIT: és enginyer Civil per la Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) i MBA per ESADE Business School. Durant l’última dècada, ha focalitzat la seva activitat en la implantació de solucions de Machine Learning i intel·ligència artificial en pimes amb l’objectiu d’incrementar l’eficiència operativa. Actualment, és Soci Fundador de SCHUMPIT, firma especialitzada en innovació i transformació digital, i Consultor assessor en Estratègia i Tecnologia a ACCIÓ.
Pau Molinas – CEO of Connecthink: Connecthink is a consultancy specialising in the implementation of AI projects for companies and public administrations. He has been an executive in major technology companies, an entrepreneur, founder of several startups, and a technology consultant.
Sandra Arcos – Founder of OlisTIC: Her professional career is shaped by three pillars: processes, people, and technology, which form the basis of OlisTIC’s work. For the past decade, she has dedicated herself to advising, mentoring, and consulting for companies and startups in cross‑cutting areas: technology, marketing, leadership, operations, logistics, and business organisation. She is an accredited advisor for ACCIÓ, a member of the DCA core group, and has been collaborating with Cecot for 10 years.