Book Introduction
The AI-Centered Enterprise: Reshaping Organizations with Context Aware AI
Authored by: Natarajan Balasubramanian, Ram Bala, Amit Joshi
Publisher: Chapman and Hall/CRC
Publication Date: July 13, 2025
The explosion of generative AI has led to numerous case studies demonstrating how it can rapidly and profoundly transform enterprises. However, most use cases still merely apply the technology to enhance existing systems. This book argues that business leaders must re-examine the foundations of generative AI and move beyond short-term tactical gains. Tools like ChatGPT are just the beginning of context-aware AI—systems capable of understanding the content and intent of unstructured human input. By combining real-world cases with academic research, this book shows how context-aware AI can enhance interactions within organizations, unlock new forms of collaboration, and usher in the era of the AI-centered enterprise. By augmenting foundational Large Language Models (LLMs) with techniques like prompt engineering, Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), knowledge graphs, and especially agent systems, organizations can build tailored tools that adapt to individual users' mindsets and their collaborative processes. The book proposes a practical framework—the 3 Cs: Calibrate, Clarify, and Channelize—to help leaders navigate this fundamental shift at all levels of their organization.
Editorial Reviews
“While companies are still struggling to introduce AI, this book makes a powerful case for building an AI-centered organization. It is a must-read for AI practitioners!” —Jean-Jacques Henchoz, Chairman of the Executive Board, Hannover Re
“The AI-Centered Enterprise offers a practical roadmap to deploying AI in precise enterprise applications. It makes it easier to evaluate and identify transformative business opportunities that emerging companies and startup executives can pursue.” —Ursheet Parikh, Partner, Mayfield Fund
“This book empowers organizations globally, including those in healthcare, to implement AI effectively and ethically. The AI-Centered Enterprise is a must-read for anyone trying to figure out what this powerful new tool can and can't do, how to use it, and how to ensure human expertise is always at the heart of everything we do!” —Dr. Megan Ranney, Dean, Yale School of Public Health
“There is much hype and fear around how AI will disrupt existing professions and organizations. This book cuts through that noise by offering a clear, human-centric framework for business managers.” —Robert Seamans, Professor of Management and Organizations, NYU Stern School of Business
“One of any CEO’s top priorities is how to build a future-proof company. Against this background, how we integrate and leverage AI is a critical question. For the benefit of all company leaders, the authors share their thought-provoking yet practical insights to help us think about how to build an AI-centered enterprise.” —Magnus Ahlquist, CEO, Securitas
“For years, business workflows have been constrained by static software ‘systems of record’. Agent AI is a ‘system of action’ that allows for more intuitive workflows and enhances human intelligence and productivity within enterprises. The AI-Centered Enterprise provides an inside perspective on this transformation and is a must-read for every business professional.” —Anupam Banerjee, Managing Director, Vector Capital Management
“This book offers profound insights for any enterprise by focusing on enabling unlimited value potential through AI interventions in organizational interactions. It moves beyond a research mindset and highlights the importance of human interaction, context awareness, and appropriately calibrated technologies in driving AI adoption. It’s a great read for people and organizations struggling to find a practical path to become AI-driven.” —Prateek Mital, General Manager, Artificial Intelligence, Hitachi India Ltd.
About the Authors
Ram Bala is an Associate Professor of AI and Analytics at Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business. In addition to conducting cutting-edge research on pricing, market design, and supply chain decisions in dynamic markets, he has also developed products around these applications at leading startups and Fortune 50 companies. He is actively involved in AI-driven business transformations, co-leading the Prometheus Lab for AI and Business, and co-founding Samvid, an agent AI startup focused on logistics and supply chain management.
Natarajan Balasubramanian is the Albert and Betty Hill Endowed Professor at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management. His research examines how technology, human capital, organizational learning, and innovation facilitate business value creation.
Amit Joshi is a Professor of AI, Analytics, and Marketing Strategy at IMD, focused on helping organizations develop and use AI capabilities to create value. An award-winning professor and researcher, he has extensive experience in AI and analytics-driven transformations across sectors such as banking, fintech, retail, services, automotive, telecom, and pharmaceuticals.