AI Search: Go Retro
May 27, 2025
CIO’s article, “Invest In AI Search As An Enterprise Business Asset” reads like a blast from the pasta circa early 2000s. Back then it was harder to find decent information, ergo the invention of Google. However, it was also a tad easier to get ranked. With the advent of AI search the entire game has shifted so these tips are questionable.
CIO shares helpful stats about AI: 90% of AI projects never develop beyond proof of concept and 97% of organizations have trouble demonstrating the business value of generative AI. Then this apt paragraph is tossed at readers:
- “A major reason is that many cautious business leaders treat AI as a source of incremental improvements to existing processes rather than a tool to reshape core business functions. Too often, business leaders underestimate the people, behavior, and organizational changes entailed by strategically using AI.”
- Generative AI is still a new technology so it’s rational not everyone understands its implications and potential. The article then transitions into the difficulties employees have finding information. Another apt observation is made:
- “They have become accustomed to instant gratification on the web, but the lack of investment many organizations make in relevance and content curation makes searching inside the corporate firewall maddeningly unproductive.”
Then readers are treated to sales pitch that’s been heard since every new search technology emerged (well before Google):
“AI search not only incrementally improves productivity but can radically reshape core business capabilities. It replaces simple keyword searches with advanced semantic techniques that understand the intent and context behind a query. Semantic search combines technologies including natural language processing, vector data stores, and machine learning to deliver results that more closely match what users need than keywords without requiring major investments in content curation.”
There is something new that Steve Mayzak, the global managing director of Search at Elastic said: “With semantic search, you can search across an entire book instead of relying on the index alone.”
Now that has my attention. Indices are great but are limited. When I’m doing research, I love having a digital copy and physical copy of the book. The physical copy is easier to maneuver and read, while I have the searching feature, copy/paste, and notes tool in the digital version.
Helpful? Sort of.
Whitney Grace, May 27, 2025
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