Knowledge Management, The Tech World’s Step Child, May Be AI’s Salvation

InnovationEnterprise TechKnowledge Management, The Tech World’s Step Child, May Be AI’s SalvationByJoe McKendrick,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Joe McKendrick covers how technology moves markets and careersFollow AuthorMay 13, 2026, 10:20pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Knowledge management: the foundation gettyKnowledge management has long been one of those fuzzily-defined areas of the business that is essential, often with a foot in information technology and a foot in business management, but never really in the spotlight of either. Its proponents and overseers represent a range of job roles, from librarians to content management systems specialists to knowledge managers by title. These professionals handle documents such as software documentation, user manuals, repair guides, contracts, and much more. But, think about it: data scientists are the hot job for today’s economy, but what do we hear about “content scientists?”In an era when unstructured data -- content -- is seen as the most critical fuel for the artificial era ahead, it’s time knowledge management had a seat at the table.Yes, AI can boost knowledge management itself to new levels, helping to automatically capture and analyze unstructured information from across the enterprise. But knowledge management needs to be a key piece of overall AI strategy as well.“AI is only as powerful as the knowledge it’s built on, said Vele Galovski, vice president of TSIA. "Even the most advanced AI tools can fall short without a strong knowledge management foundation.”Foundation is a key word here, and that view has been reinforced in a recent analysis of enterprise intelligence systems, published by Bloomfire. Part of the challenge with AI that it’s proliferation is divided between three separate technology categories – knowledge management, enterprise search, and...