Artificial Intelligence in the Workspace
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been at the front of conversations for technology and the future of work in the past few years. What once was science fiction, now has become a real and integral part of the way we work. The use cases of AI in the workplace are limitless, some of which have shown its potential for improving various processes in any modern organization – like improving cybersecurity and productivity in the workplace. It requires a deep understanding of business processes and all the things that makes us inefficient today, to utilize AI technology to help us do things better. So how exactly will they change the way we are working today? Here’s what you need to know.
What AI Means for the Future of Work
According to SAS – a leading software and analytics company –Artificial Intelligence works by combining large amounts of data with fast, iterative processing and intelligent algorithms that allows the software to learn quickly and automatically from any patterns or features within the data. It makes it possible for machines to learn from their own mistakes. With new types of smart, connected devices reaching consumers each day, there are more possibilities for complex raw data to be analyzed for business insight, making analytics more productive and efficient in the workplace.
Artificial Intelligence has created a huge shift in the way we handle work and has significantly influenced both the competitive landscape and customer expectations to create a culture shift at the top of organizations. This digital transformation ushered by AI has affected many executives to adapt to new methods in how we operate and work, with the largest shift apparent in how information is managed. AI capabilities such as image recognition and marketing analytics for insight can yield big results from complex data sets. Analytics leaders such as SAS offer simplification resources on access to multiple data sources across departments through an enterprise platform. With this shift, new opportunities for success are made available for businesses. So what is here now that can give us a glimpse of the potential future workplace with AI?
Applications of AI in the Workspace
Automation
Most companies have adopted strategies to outsource their processes to machines or other Artificial Intelligence configurations in an effort to break down big data for easier automation. This may affect the non-technical workers down the line, but for companies setting their sights long-term, they can save millions by focusing their efforts on AI and machine-learning specialists to better manage automated systems.
Chatbots
Chatbots are programs that can hold conversations with a user through text or audio. In social media platforms like Facebook, chatbots are used by brands to engage with consumers and answer frequently asked questions. The emerging focus on Artificial Intelligence is really about making decision support systems more efficient across a multitude of applications, processes, and business domains. AI has brought intelligent collaboration capabilities to the emerging Conversational Workspace platforms, with products like Slack, Workplace by Facebook, and Google Hangouts Chat at the forefront of AI and chatbots being incorporated to improve workflows and to support conversational experiences.
Voice Assistants
With a voice assistant (VA) like Siri or Alexa helping you keep track of your to-do lists, or sending you updates on weather or email, there’s really no limit to what VAs are capable of. Using the right data sets – such as employee’s skills or directory information – allow VAs to form the right responses to suit your needs at work. Ideally, the data set would be a combination of user-provided data and company institutional knowledge. Although most voice agents are passive until a certain keyword or phrase is spoken, we are definitely a few years away from seeing assistants become a more active participant in work conversation.
Collaboration
Artificial Intelligence’s set of learning algorithms has made streamlining workflows and processes the biggest trend in modern workspaces. AI enhances this collaborative experience within work communities when introduced through multiple mediums. Cisco is one example of how AI can be used to improve the audio portion of a meeting. In order to better block out annoying noises that may sometimes disrupt conference calls, Cisco’s use of AI helps participants to detect and automatically mute common sounds. These conversational advancements have transformed the way we process and interact with data, content, and applications.
Security
A high point of protection for users with Artificial Intelligence capabilities includes facial recognition. AI can be used to scan people’s faces and pull information from something like the employee directory or LinkedIn to have more involved meetings. Another area where AI is utilized by companies is in network monitoring. A 2017 research study from PwC, an audit and assurance company, indicates that 37% of customer records from participants worldwide have been targeted during cybersecurity incidents, a 3% increase from the year prior. Every company, regardless of size or industry, is susceptible to cyber attacks. Top business leaders are beginning to take more action to protect important company information and private client data stored on in-house networks by using AI systems to monitor network traffic in greater detail than humans can.
Analytics
The finance sector is one industry that will be heavily affected by the rise of Artificial Intelligence. From analyzing trading strategies and examining financial systems, the use of AI for better analytics for larger, incorporated systems shows great promise to more efficient and automated ways of handling data when making important decisions. Companies may use AI to better screen résumés by allowing recruiters to adjust the criteria based on actual hires so the technology continually learns and yields better results. This would also allow employers to search candidates in the marketplace before they even approach the company.
Artificial Intelligence gives companies the room to gain greater insight into business behavior and satisfaction in the workplace. By streamlining work processes, increasing proactive collaboration, and refining the way we manage our data, AI aims to reduce workplace frustrations and revolutionize not just how we work, but also how we live.