AI glossary for businesses
AI roadmap
In short
An AI roadmap is a prioritised plan that shows which AI use cases a business will tackle, in what order, who owns each one and how success will be measured. It connects business goals to concrete pilots. For an SME, a useful roadmap is short, detailed for the next 90 days, and revised as you learn.
How an AI roadmap works
A roadmap is like the route plan for a road trip across Greece. You know the destination, the first few stops are booked, and later stops stay flexible because roads, weather and plans change. An AI roadmap works the same way: clear near-term steps and a looser view further out.
A practical roadmap usually contains:
Goals: two or three business outcomes, such as faster customer replies or more online sales.
Ranked use cases: each AI use case scored on value and effort.
Owners and measures: who leads each item and which KPIs show success.
Data and tools: what each use case needs and what is missing today.
Guardrails: training, an AI usage policy and checks for GDPR and the EU AI Act.
Cycles: short cycles, often 90 days, with a review at the end of each.
In practice for a small business
A 25-person logistics company in Aspropyrgos wants to cut admin work. Its roadmap starts with two quick wins in the first 90 days: extracting data from delivery notes and drafting replies to routine customer emails. A second cycle looks at demand forecasting, which first needs cleaner historical data. A third cycle stays open until the first results are in. Each item has an owner, a baseline and a decision date.
For a step-by-step method, read how to build an AI roadmap in 5 steps.
Why it matters and what to watch out for
Long plans age fast. AI tools change quickly. A rigid 18-month plan can be out of date before it is finished.
Involve the people who do the work. Plans made only at the top often meet resistance. Frontline staff know where time is lost.
Include "no AI" options. Some problems are better solved with a process change or simple automation.
Budget for adoption. Training and change management can take as much effort as the technology itself.
Plan for compliance. Flag early any use that touches personal data or high-risk areas, and check with your DPO or legal advisor.