In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, few professionals stand out as much as Ms. Usmanova. As an expert in Digital, Advanced Analytics (AA), AI, and Generative AI (GenAI), she is at the forefront of transforming business-to-consumer organizations and cities, enhancing growth, productivity, and customer and citizen experiences.
Developing digital solutions for urban mobility can greatly enhance the convenience and efficiency of public transportation systems. Ms. Usmanova developed one such innovation, the Digital “Multi-Transport” City Card, which offers a seamless payment solution for various transport modes, including taxis, bicycles, scooters, and river routes, all through a single smartphone application known as the City transport app. Spearheaded by Ms. Usmanova for a major city in Europe, this subscription service has positioned it as a leader in urban mobility.
Launched in 2021, the “Multi-Transport” card has facilitated over 300,000 trips by June 2024, demonstrating its widespread adoption and success. The service enables users to use a single app to pay for combined routes, resulting in savings of up to 30% per month. This innovative approach not only simplifies the payment process but also encourages the use of multiple transport modes, promoting a more integrated and efficient transportation network. The Deputy Mayor of City for Transport highlighted the value of the “Multi-Transport” service, stating, “The digital service ‘Multi-Transport’ offers the possibility to choose combined routes with savings of up to 30% per month. By the order of the City Mayor, we are implementing the best innovations in city transport to ensure that citizens’ trips remain comfortable and affordable”1.
Similar initiatives have been undertaken in other cities worldwide, showcasing the global trend towards integrated digital transport solutions. For example, mobility subscriptions are being developed and deployed in leading cities worldwide, including “UbiGo” in Sweden, “BVG Jelbi” in Berlin, and “Whim” in Helsinki. These examples illustrate the global movement towards digitalization in urban transport, making travel more accessible, efficient, and cost-effective for residents while improving the overall efficiency of city transport infrastructures.
Ms. Usmanova has led one of the first GenAI-at-Scale transformations for a leading North American Retailer. She identified over 100 GenAI use cases across 10 core business domains, sizing their time savings and financial impact, and prioritizing them into a comprehensive roadmap. This initiative is expected to deliver an impact exceeding $100 million over the next 3 years. Her insights on this groundbreaking work are encapsulated in her published article, “Embarking on the GenAI Journey: A Step-by-Step Guide” in iTechPost, which guides companies on starting their GenAI journeys.
Taking a holistic view of Gen AI, it is poised to significantly impact the retail sector. According to the McKinsey report “The economic potential of generative AI: The next productivity frontier,”2 it could add up to $310 billion in value to the retail industry by enhancing performance in areas like marketing and customer interactions. Gen AI can revolutionize customer experiences by enabling highly personalized shopping, tailored product recommendations, and AI-powered chatbots for instant, accurate support. These advancements could lead to a 10-15% increase in revenue and customer engagement. Additionally, Gen AI can optimize supply chains by predicting demand more accurately, reducing overstock and stockouts, and streamlining logistics, which could result in 15-30% cost savings. In marketing, Gen AI can enhance targeting through AI-driven analytics, identifying consumer trends and preferences, and automating sales processes, potentially increasing conversion rates by 20-30%. Operational efficiency also stands to benefit, with AI automating routine tasks and providing data insights, reducing operational costs by 5-10%. The workforce implications include a shift towards more complex, value-added activities, necessitating training and upskilling to mitigate job displacement. Retailers that invest in Gen AI capabilities now can achieve substantial economic benefits and maintain a competitive edge in the evolving market.
Looking ahead, Ms. Usmanova is committed to unlocking the full potential of generative AI and helping companies successfully adopt and capture its value. Her forward-thinking approach and innovative mindset continue to drive advancements in AI, positioning her as a leading expert in the field.
- “Mosmetro.ru (July, 2024). “MultiTransport” allows saving up to 30% on trips per month. Retrieved from https://mosmetro.ru/news/details/4865”
- “McKinsey & Company. (2023). The economic potential of generative AI: The next productivity frontier. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/the-economic-potential-of-generative-ai-the-next-productivity-frontier#introduction”
