5 Brutal Truths About AI in Power BI

Read time: 2.5 minutes

5 Methods for Resolving Problems Before Relying on AI in Power BI:

1) Copilot Will Not Resolve Unorganized Models, It Will Only Enhance Their Disorder

A disorganized semantic model will yield disorganization more quickly when an AI is involved.
The first solution will be to ensure the semantic model is clean:

• Clear the house on your tables' names

• Discontinue use of non-value-added columns

• Ensure there is a description of measures

• Reinforce the use of the star schema winning mode

Using a garbage semantic model will produce garbage AI results.

2) Inadequate Date Table Means Poor Time Intelligence

Provide a marked date table in order to use any time functions
The recommended solution will be:

• Build a historical date table

• Use a date column with no duplicates

• Mark as a date table

• Use the date table to build all relationships

Basic business intelligence knowledge should provide guidance here, but many don't follow it.

3) Bi-Directional Relationships may seem Smart, however, They Are Most Often Not

The use of bidirectional relationships will slow model performance, create ambiguity about the model, and mask design problems.
The solution is to use single-directional relationships wherever possible.
The use of the dimensional model will filter out loose fact records to produce the star schema-winning relationship design.

4) "If a Visual Loads, Then It Works" Will Produce Slow Dashboards

Without the Performance Analyzer Tool, you are left to guess.
The solution will be:
View→ Performance Analyzer
Record→Add Slow Visuals→ Fix
The faster dashboards render, the more trust people place in their data.

5) AI Produces Syntax and Not Strategy

AI has no knowledge of Revenue, Exclusions, or Fiscal Procedures.
The solution will be:

• Create KPI definitions in writing

• Use standardized logic(all Certified Datasets)

• Review all AI generated measure

AI produces a draft of a measure that the user will approve as the final version.

💡Key Takeaway: 

The presence of AI isn't going to result in the elimination of the role of a Power BI developer. The undisciplined Power BI developer who misuses AI technology will eliminate themselves.