At the KMWorld 2024 conference, knowledge management (KM) professionals gathered to discuss the evolving landscape of managing and leveraging organizational knowledge. With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the growing complexity of information governance, the event highlighted a central theme — KM is no longer just about managing knowledge, it’s about enabling connection, innovation, and trust.
Here are four key takeaways from the conference to consider in your own knowledge management practices:
1. From Knowledge Hoarding to Pattern Recognition
In today’s age of information abundance, organizations don’t need more knowledge — they need better ways to synthesize it. The value of KM lies in connecting dots and recognizing patterns to create actionable insights. The role of KM is evolving, with new tools and approaches that support KM professionals as enablers of upskilling and adapting to new technological advancements that help organizations stay competitive in an increasingly data-driven world.
2. AI is an Enabler, Not a Sole Solution
Artificial intelligence is an exciting frontier for KM professionals, it can aid in automating tasks, reducing cognitive load, and demonstrating ROI to key stakeholders. However, AI is not a plug-and-play solution. Ethical use, strong governance, and accountability are critical. When considering partnering with vendors, identifying market solutions that prioritize responsible AI development is essential. The key themes and cautions of AI use shared at KMWorld 2024 echo our mission at CCC for responsible licensing: promoting trust and transparency in how organizations manage intellectual property and knowledge.
3. The ROI and Governance Dilemma
Enterprise search and KM tools should be a no-brainer for funding, yet ROI can often be difficult to articulate. Many organizations struggle to define success metrics for KM initiatives. When choosing a vendor solution or building out internal systems, it’s important to identify opportunities to measure ROI and provide the clarity and accountability needed to drive investment in KM initiatives. At the same time, integrating copyright compliance and other information governance considerations is increasingly vital. Without a governance plan or clear policies, ensuring knowledge is shared responsibly and holding vendors accountable becomes nearly impossible.
4. People and Processes, Not Technology, Drive KM Success
Technology is evolving rapidly, but KM remains fundamentally about people and processes. As a few speakers noted, KM isn’t a technology problem — it’s a human one. Understanding user behavior, meeting organizational culture needs, and training teams to adapt to new tools are crucial for success. The expanding role of KM incorporates more than just information management, it’s about enabling institutional knowledge for novel applications and connecting people, channels, and processes to drive long-term success. Despite advancements in AI, people are still at the heart of ensuring knowledge is accessible, accurate, and relevant from the start.
The KMWorld 2024 conference underscored that while knowledge management is at a transformative technological frontier, success requires a balance between technology and human expertise. AI applications hold great promise, but realizing this promise ultimately depends on how well organizations can enact ethical governance, prioritize investments in high-quality content, and support their people. As we continue to evolve our offerings at CCC, we are excited to help organizations navigate this new era of knowledge management with trust and innovation at the forefront.