Artificial Intelligence—AI—is reshaping the technological landscape in ways and at speeds that were previously unthinkable. Transformations in the way we work, learn and interact are evolving on a daily basis. Big data, robotics and IoT are all benefitting from the advancements we’re seeing in the technology.
Further, a survey conducted by IBM in 2023 found some 42 percent of enterprise-scale organizations have already adopted AI tech in their operations, with another 40 percent saying they’re looking at it. Furthermore, the results of the survey showed generative AI had been implemented by 38 percent of the responding organizations, while another 42 percent indicated an interest in doing so.
Simply put, AI is a key component of growth and competitiveness as we head into the second quarter of the 21st century. This makes preparing for an AI-driven future a business imperative.
Some of the key areas experiencing paradigm shifts include:
Customer Service
AI-driven automation has enabled workers to be more productive in a number of unexpected ways. For example, offshore call center workers are benefitting from the technology in the area of accent softening. A point of considerable friction for customer service centers has been the reluctance of callers to engage with call center reps whose accents are perceived as being “different.”
AI accent softening technology has been implemented to clarify the voices of customer service reps, which makes it easier for callers to understand and relate to them. This has resulted in improved customer satisfaction and loyalty across the board. In this way, AI has augmented the physical capabilities of call center representatives.
Healthcare
Owing to its ability to analyze large data sets and offer conclusions based upon its analysis, AI is being used to help diagnose illnesses, identify diseases and recommend treatments. AI is also being employed to monitor patients, to give nurses more time to engage in other activities. Additionally, the tech is streamlining the development of new medications.
Finance
AI’s data analysis capability is also helping financial institutions detect fraud more quickly, conduct audits more accurately and process loan applications more expeditiously. Investment bankers are using AI to assess risk, rate investment opportunities and drive capital allocation decisions.
Education
Machine learning, natural language processing and facial recognition are driving advancements in the ways we teach and learn. Using these tools, curricula can be tailored to the strengths of individual students to bolster their learning in areas in which they need more attention. AI is also being employed to help teachers determine the originality of student essays and other assignments.
Preparing for the Future
As much as science fiction leans upon the cliche, doomsday technological singularities in which omniscient AI platforms subjugate the human race, it is much more likely that it will enhance the human experience, just as other technological innovations have. Tech demands we work to keep up with it as it advances, in order to continue to understand how it makes decisions and how to best use it. As the technology evolves, there will be an ever-expanding need to know how to correct algorithmic aberrations when mistakes or unintended consequences emerge.
With this in mind, educating workforces to have a high level of AI literacy is becoming increasingly important. Additionally, the more people understand how it works, the less likely they are to be threatened by it. This understanding will also inspire ideas for new applications of the technology. Simply put, continuous learning is vital to maintaining proficiency in an AI-driven future.
Another key area of concern when it comes to preparing for an AI-driven future is ethics. We are already seeing instances of the technology being employed in questionable ways. Cultivating workplace environments in which privacy is respected, biases are subverted and the overall wellbeing of humanity is prioritized will be crucial to ensuring the ethical usage of artificial intelligence platforms.
