The Archimedes Lever
The Archimedes Lever
The Archimedes Lever
A 3-Step Framework for a Practical AI Strategy
A 3-Step Framework for a Practical AI Strategy
A 3-Step Framework for a Practical AI Strategy
Technology (AI) & Strategy
Technology (AI) & Strategy
Technology (AI) & Strategy
Content
Content
Content
Information Age
Modern Era
Industrial Revolution
Renaissance
Middle Ages
Late Antiquity
Bronze Age
Classical Antiquity
c. 800 BC - 500 AD
Information
Age
Modern
Era
Industrial
Revolution
Renaissance
Middle
Ages
Late
Antiquity
Bronze Age
Classical Antiquity
c. 800 BC - 500 AD
Information Age
Modern Era
Industrial Revolution
Renaissance
Middle Ages
Late Antiquity
Bronze Age
Classical Antiquity
c. 800 BC - 500 AD
The ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes famously said, "Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world." This is a powerful statement about the nature of leverage: a great tool, when applied at the right point, can produce an outsized result. In the modern business world, Artificial Intelligence is that lever. But a lever is useless without a clear understanding of where to apply it.
This article provides a simple, 3-step framework for developing a practical AI strategy, ensuring that you apply this powerful tool at the point where it will create the most value for your organisation.
The ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes famously said, "Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world." This is a powerful statement about the nature of leverage: a great tool, when applied at the right point, can produce an outsized result. In the modern business world, Artificial Intelligence is that lever. But a lever is useless without a clear understanding of where to apply it.
This article provides a simple, 3-step framework for developing a practical AI strategy, ensuring that you apply this powerful tool at the point where it will create the most value for your organisation.
The ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes famously said, "Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world." This is a powerful statement about the nature of leverage: a great tool, when applied at the right point, can produce an outsized result. In the modern business world, Artificial Intelligence is that lever. But a lever is useless without a clear understanding of where to apply it.
This article provides a simple, 3-step framework for developing a practical AI strategy, ensuring that you apply this powerful tool at the point where it will create the most value for your organisation.
The Common Pitfall:
A Lever with No Fulcrum
The Common Pitfall:
A Lever with No Fulcrum
The Common Pitfall:
A Lever with No Fulcrum
Many AI initiatives fail because they start with the technology, not the problem. An organisation might decide it "needs an AI strategy" and begin exploring complex technologies without a clear, specific business challenge to solve. This is like having a powerful lever but no fulcrum—no strategic point of application. This approach often leads to costly pilot projects that are technically interesting but deliver no tangible business value.
Many AI initiatives fail because they start with the technology, not the problem. An organisation might decide it "needs an AI strategy" and begin exploring complex technologies without a clear, specific business challenge to solve. This is like having a powerful lever but no fulcrum—no strategic point of application. This approach often leads to costly pilot projects that are technically interesting but deliver no tangible business value.
Many AI initiatives fail because they start with the technology, not the problem. An organisation might decide it "needs an AI strategy" and begin exploring complex technologies without a clear, specific business challenge to solve. This is like having a powerful lever but no fulcrum—no strategic point of application. This approach often leads to costly pilot projects that are technically interesting but deliver no tangible business value.
The Ancient Principle:
The Power of the Right Point of Application
The Ancient Principle:
The Power of the Right Point of Application
The Ancient Principle:
The Power of the Right Point of Application
The genius of Archimedes's statement is its focus on the fulcrum. The lever is just a tool; its power is only unlocked when it is applied at the correct point to solve a specific problem. The principle is clear: the success of any tool is determined not by its inherent power, but by the wisdom with which it is applied.
The genius of Archimedes's statement is its focus on the fulcrum. The lever is just a tool; its power is only unlocked when it is applied at the correct point to solve a specific problem. The principle is clear: the success of any tool is determined not by its inherent power, but by the wisdom with which it is applied.
The genius of Archimedes's statement is its focus on the fulcrum. The lever is just a tool; its power is only unlocked when it is applied at the correct point to solve a specific problem. The principle is clear: the success of any tool is determined not by its inherent power, but by the wisdom with which it is applied.
The MPX Solution:
Finding Your Fulcrum
The MPX Solution:
Finding Your Fulcrum
The MPX Solution:
Finding Your Fulcrum
A successful AI strategy starts by identifying the right business problem—the fulcrum—and then applying the right AI tool as the lever. At MPX, our Technology and Strategic Planning services are built on this principle. We help you move from a vague desire for "AI" to a specific, value-focused implementation.
This approach can be broken down into three simple steps:
Identify the Problem (Find the Fulcrum): Start by identifying a specific, high-value business problem. Be specific and, where possible, quantify the cost of the problem.
Define the Solution (Choose the Lever): Once the problem is clearly defined, identify the specific AI capability that can solve it.
Problem: We have too many near-miss safety incidents in our vehicle yard.
Solution: We need an AI system (the lever) that can use our existing cameras to detect when a person is on the ground in a restricted area (the fulcrum) and send a real-time alert.
Quantify the Benefit (Measure the Movement): Finally, define the measurable benefit of implementing the solution.
Benefit: By providing real-time alerts, we aim to reduce vehicle-pedestrian incidents by 50% within 12 months.
A successful AI strategy starts by identifying the right business problem—the fulcrum—and then applying the right AI tool as the lever. At MPX, our Technology and Strategic Planning services are built on this principle. We help you move from a vague desire for "AI" to a specific, value-focused implementation.
This approach can be broken down into three simple steps:
Identify the Problem (Find the Fulcrum): Start by identifying a specific, high-value business problem. Be specific and, where possible, quantify the cost of the problem.
Define the Solution (Choose the Lever): Once the problem is clearly defined, identify the specific AI capability that can solve it.
Problem: We have too many near-miss safety incidents in our vehicle yard.
Solution: We need an AI system (the lever) that can use our existing cameras to detect when a person is on the ground in a restricted area (the fulcrum) and send a real-time alert.
Quantify the Benefit (Measure the Movement): Finally, define the measurable benefit of implementing the solution.
Benefit: By providing real-time alerts, we aim to reduce vehicle-pedestrian incidents by 50% within 12 months.
A successful AI strategy starts by identifying the right business problem—the fulcrum—and then applying the right AI tool as the lever. At MPX, our Technology and Strategic Planning services are built on this principle. We help you move from a vague desire for "AI" to a specific, value-focused implementation.
This approach can be broken down into three simple steps:
Identify the Problem (Find the Fulcrum): Start by identifying a specific, high-value business problem. Be specific and, where possible, quantify the cost of the problem.
Define the Solution (Choose the Lever): Once the problem is clearly defined, identify the specific AI capability that can solve it.
Problem: We have too many near-miss safety incidents in our vehicle yard.
Solution: We need an AI system (the lever) that can use our existing cameras to detect when a person is on the ground in a restricted area (the fulcrum) and send a real-time alert.
Quantify the Benefit (Measure the Movement): Finally, define the measurable benefit of implementing the solution.
Benefit: By providing real-time alerts, we aim to reduce vehicle-pedestrian incidents by 50% within 12 months.
Your AI Strategy Checklist
Your AI Strategy Checklist
Your AI Strategy Checklist
Use this simple checklist to apply the "Archimedes Lever" framework to your own AI initiatives.
Use this simple checklist to apply the "Archimedes Lever" framework to your own AI initiatives.
Use this simple checklist to apply the "Archimedes Lever" framework to your own AI initiatives.
The Fulcrum (The Problem)
The Fulcrum (The Problem)
The Fulcrum (The Problem)
Have we clearly defined the specific business problem we are trying to solve?
Have we clearly defined the specific business problem we are trying to solve?
Have we clearly defined the specific business problem we are trying to solve?
Have we quantified the cost of this problem (in terms of time, money, or risk)?
Have we quantified the cost of this problem (in terms of time, money, or risk)?
Have we quantified the cost of this problem (in terms of time, money, or risk)?
The Lever (The Solution)
The Lever (The Solution)
The Lever (The Solution)
Have we identified the specific AI capability (e.g., computer vision, RAG) that can solve this problem?
Have we identified the specific AI capability (e.g., computer vision, RAG) that can solve this problem?
Have we identified the specific AI capability (e.g., computer vision, RAG) that can solve this problem?
Does this solution integrate with our existing systems?
Does this solution integrate with our existing systems?
Does this solution integrate with our existing systems?
The Movement (The Benefit)
The Movement (The Benefit)
The Movement (The Benefit)
Have we defined a clear, measurable business outcome for this initiative?
Have we defined a clear, measurable business outcome for this initiative?
Have we defined a clear, measurable business outcome for this initiative?
Do we have a plan to track and report on this outcome?
Do we have a plan to track and report on this outcome?
Do we have a plan to track and report on this outcome?
A successful AI strategy is not about adopting the latest technology; it is about applying the right technology to solve real business problems. By first finding your fulcrum, you can ensure that your AI initiatives are focused, practical, and designed to move your organisation forward.
MPX specialises in developing tailored technology solutions that deliver measurable outcomes. Contact us to learn how we can help you build a practical AI strategy for your business.
A successful AI strategy is not about adopting the latest technology; it is about applying the right technology to solve real business problems. By first finding your fulcrum, you can ensure that your AI initiatives are focused, practical, and designed to move your organisation forward.
MPX specialises in developing tailored technology solutions that deliver measurable outcomes. Contact us to learn how we can help you build a practical AI strategy for your business.
A successful AI strategy is not about adopting the latest technology; it is about applying the right technology to solve real business problems. By first finding your fulcrum, you can ensure that your AI initiatives are focused, practical, and designed to move your organisation forward.
MPX specialises in developing tailored technology solutions that deliver measurable outcomes. Contact us to learn how we can help you build a practical AI strategy for your business.