Artificial intelligence is matched with human intelligence today. It is true that in many instances AI surpasses human intelligence. The intelligence with which machines perform the jobs that humans do is termed as Artificial General Intelligence. Many experts are of the opinion that, at this stage of development in the AI field, machines are incapable of performing all the intellectual tasks that a human can do. However, in the field of machine learning, superhuman capabilities have been reached using AI and this can render a number of benefits to enterprises using AI.
AI will not replace humans completely
AI experts have found out that though a majority of the jobs would be affected by machine learning, there will be also jobs that humans have to do. The future is more likely to involve partnerships between collaborative robots or ‘cobots’ and humans to get work done more efficiently. There will never be a situation in which jobs will be wiped out completely, the experts opine.
In the present, there are companies that have replaced humans with AI. However, those organizations that have completely removed the human element are predicted to derive only short-term gains. Research has shown that companies that have allowed collaboration between humans and AI have come up with the best results.
When humans and AI work together, the social skills, on-the-spot decision-making capabilities, creativity, and teamwork of the former and the speed and quantitative capabilities of the latter are enhanced and combined to produce the best results. All businesses require all of these talents in good measure.
The BMW company has found that cobots and humans working together were 85% more productive than conventional assembly-line arrangements. In the older setup, the company had stationed the industrial robots in one area of the factory and people on the assembly line on another side. When the workers and cobots were brought together, marked improvements were observed as far as productivities were concerned.
Even with the implementation and growth of AI in an organization, it is important that the crew which is going to use the AI is trained to use the technology effectively. The heads of an organization have the responsibility of putting into place learning platforms that enable the workforce to use AI effectively. The workers should rest assured that AI is not about changing the way that they have to think but rather use the superpower in their hands as a tool to get the jobs done effectively.
Is AI going to take businesses to the next level of efficiency?
Every organization/business that employs AI will scale new heights in efficiency whether it is employed for internal processes within the office or outside the office for sales. However, the greatest revelation has been that more benefits were derived in cases where the old business/production processes were reimagined to infuse AI at the right points rather than simply making these processes more efficient.
General Electric has been using intelligent agents to help maintenance workers make sound operational decisions when working on industrial equipment. The workers can interact with intelligent agents to make decisions about machine performance and costs based on the data-analysed results that come in from these agents. The best part is that these decisions are now being made when the workers are there on the line doing their work. That is, they are able to make better on-the-spot decisions. This is more about how innovation and imagination can be put to better use rather than simply trying to up efficiency using AI.
Re-imagination of business processes will impact different elements of the business structure
In the businesses where AI is infused, different business processes are likely to be impacted positively. It is purported that the supply chain area will be reasonably impacted with the introduction of AI. Distribution centres, warehouses and logistics operations will be greatly transformed with the use of AI. Goods will be received with more understanding in terms of what is being received. The goods are likely to be stored in a more efficient fashion so that they can be picked up faster and shipped to different destinations.
If AI is being infused into the transportation function of the organization, there are many ways in which the business owner can reimagine and work new ways to reach the products across o the customers quickly and efficiently.
Personalization improves when AI and humans work together
Whichever part of the organization AI is applied to and whatever be the business, personalization improves to a great extent. If infused into the supply chain function, as seen earlier, you can manage to get the product faster to the customer no matter where he/she resides. Fashion designers, for example, can look at AI-based recommendations, make special clothing packages for each client and ship them personally to each one of them. This personalization requires different design processes, different assemblies of products, a different supply chain, and a different distribution process as well. Ultimately, the ‘AI+human’ factor helps the business understand what the customer wants in a better fashion.
Companies have to rethink jobs in order to suit the AI-age
Whether in retail or any other industry that is being affected by automation, companies have to start thinking as to how they can modify jobs so to suit the AI-age. Many HR leaders have already started rewriting descriptions for different company openings in various departments and levels. There are many new types of jobs that are being brought in with the advent of AI.
Walmart, for instance, has started installing robots that work in the aisles alongside their human counterparts. They run up and down the aisles looking for missing items and update the inventory accordingly. Simultaneously, human workers can spend more time sorting out customer issues and work to make them happy and satisfied.
Wrap-up
At the end of it all, companies should look out for workers that are open to learning new things and are flexible because automation may change the nature of the existing job and not do away with it completely.
