Digital transformation
Digital transformation: The shift from manual and paper-based processes to software systems of record such as ERP, CRM and online portals. It typically precedes AI transformation, which lets software act on the data those systems hold.
Why it matters
It matters as context because most AI work sits on top of it. A workflow that still lives in paper, email threads and spreadsheets usually needs basic digitisation before AI can help, while a workflow already in structured software is often the fastest place to add a model for the judgement steps.
Related terms
- AI transformation: The redesign of a company's workflows, roles and systems so that AI models reliably handle judgement-heavy steps while ordinary software handles correctness-critical steps, measured by business outcomes rather than tool adoption.
Where it comes up
- How is AI transformation different from digital transformation?
- What Is AI Transformation? A Plain-English Definition for Operators
In practice
In a Sudo Sapient engagement this is settled in the one-week Discover phase, before any build starts. The studio's process is on sudosapient.com.