Artificial intelligence (AI) in business is rapidly becoming a commonly-used competitive tool. Clearly, companies are past debating the pros and cons of AI. From better chatbots for customer service to data analytics to making predictive recommendations, deep learning and artificial intelligence in their many forms is seen by business leaders as an essential tool.
That puts AI in the short-list of technologies that your company should not just be watching, but actively exploring how to take advantage of. It joins leading emerging technologies like Machine Learning, cloud computing and Big Data.
If you aren't convinced that AI is ready to handle a growing number and range of tasks, consider IBM's Watson's 2011 winning performance on Jeopardy. Or consider the various ways you are likely already using AI-enabled devices and services in your personal life, like smart assistant apps or devices like Amazon's Alexa or Apple's Siri. Not to mention other AI-supercharged apps, such as whatever GPS app you use while driving.
Here's a quick look at how your competitors are already using AI in their business, and some advice on how to get on board.
Jump to:
Results of a recent survey indicate that artificial intelligence can assist businesses in areas ranging from customer support to personalization.
Odds are you can't just call up your competitors and ask how they are using AI in their company. But thanks to the Internet, you can find out a lot of what they have said. For example, web-searching "how is Staples using AI" yields informative results from about how that company is putting artificial intelligence technology to work for itself.
Next, check your competitors' web sites and social media presences (notably LinkedIn and Facebook). Browse their press releases, news coverage, and blogs. You might even go old-school, and get any hardcopy newsletters, annual reports or other literature from the past year that might not be available online.
Then cast a wider net, with an industry search, like "how are hospitals using AI," "how are grocery stores using AI," or even a more general search.
For example, when I did a search for "using AI in my business," I got various hits talking about business uses for AI including:
Another suggestion: research how other parts of your supply chain parts, shipping, support, and the like are using AI.
Don't forget other IRL (In Real Life)/non-digital avenues. If you are going to an industry event, look for AI-related sessions. Chat up whoever you're standing or sitting near. And, of course, you could always read a book or two although, by definition, that advice will be at least six to twelve months out of date.
If you know anybody at one or more competitors who's informed and amenable, buy them a lunch and pick their brain.
Businesses have high hopes that AI can help them predict a wide array of activities.
Based on your research, you should be able to build a list and frame a sense of what AI can do for businesses in general, and for companies in your industry and of your size.
You'll find several major key areas:
Based on this list, your next step is to come up with a short list of how artificial intelligence can help your business specific tasks and use cases.
To help make this list:
Then, prioritize that list based on a mix of estimated costs, time to implement, risk/benefit, and overall value.
In parallel, select one or two smaller tasks for trying artificial intelligence for your business. This could be a small piece of a larger task. Important: start with a task that is not business-critical. Another quick tip: Start with tasks that aren't customer-facing.
Now it's time to identify potential technology vendors. There is no shortage of top artificial intelligence companies.
In order to find and compare vendors, you first have to assess how you might add artificial intelligence capabilities to your company's IT, which in turn depends on factors like:
Vendors for AI capabilities spans several categories:
For some of the AI you're looking for, your current vendors may already offer. In other cases, you may outsource. For still others, you may end up doing internally. It all depends on what you want, how much developer bandwidth you have in-house, and how you provision your IT operations.
Your best bet will be to find one or more AI experts, either internally, or outside consultants. For the latter, start with ones who aren't part of a vendor... unless the vendor is offering AI that is a match for your criteria.
Once you have identified your initial AI projects the real fun begins: implementation. Essential milestones:
Key: Be ready to revisit constantly.
Just because you have AI projects out of development and testing, and contributing to your business, that doesn't mean you're done. Just as provisioning infrastructure or updating your company's web and social presence is never done.
In addition to tracking your selected AI vendors for improvements, new features you want to stay on top of other AI developments. For example, what new capabilities have become available? What improvements in infrastructure performance or price make existing or new AI offerings now viable?
And, of course, you want to keep up with what others in your industry, and the AI vendors serving your industry, are doing or have on their road map.
Adding AI your company's operations and business is a big change, and likely a big transformation. Here's some quick advice to lessen the challenges:
Plus, focus on AI that's available as a supported product/service, rather than something still in development.
Although AI as an area within computer science dates back to the 1950's, it's only been within the past decade that many types of AI have become available to companies of all sizes.
This is thanks to factors like continuing hardware price/performance improvements, cloud computing, and advances in AI techniques. At the same time, computing trends like big data, IoT, self-driving vehicles, and speech and image recognition are generating more "targets" to point AI tools at.
In particular, Keep an eye on cloud costs and capabilities, along with what the various players are doing or talking about, AI-wise. Like nearly everything involving computer technology, many of the next cool capabilities can't be anticipated or predicted. Bottom line: talk to professionals in your field nothing will help you quite as much.
Original post:
Artificial Intelligence in Business: How to Use AI in Your ...
- What is Artificial Intelligence? How Does AI Work? | Built In [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2019]
- Artificial Intelligence What it is and why it matters | SAS [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2019]
- artificial intelligence | Definition, Examples, and ... [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2019]
- Benefits & Risks of Artificial Intelligence - Future of ... [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2019]
- What is AI (artificial intelligence)? - Definition from ... [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2019]
- What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? ... - Techopedia [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2019]
- 9 Powerful Examples of Artificial Intelligence in Use ... [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2019]
- What's the Difference Between Robotics and Artificial ... [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2019]
- The Impact of Artificial Intelligence - Widespread Job Losses [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2019]
- Artificial Intelligence & the Pharma Industry: What's Next ... [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2019]
- Artificial Intelligence | GE Research [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2019]
- A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) - IMDb [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2019]
- 10 Best Artificial Intelligence Course & Certification [2019 ... [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2019]
- Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: the future is amazing ... [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2019]
- Will Artificial Intelligence Help Resolve the Food Crisis? - Inter Press Service [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2019]
- Two-thirds of employees would trust a robot boss more than a real one - World Economic Forum [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2019]
- UofL partners with industry experts to launch Artificial Intelligence Innovation Consortium Lane Report | Kentucky Business & Economic News - The... [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2019]
- China Sees Surge of Edtech Investments With Focus on Artificial Intelligence - Karma [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2019]
- NIST researchers use artificial intelligence for quality control of stem cell-derived tissues - National Institutes of Health [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2019]
- Indiana University Touts Big Red 200 and Artificial Intelligence at SC19 - HPCwire [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2019]
- One way for the Pentagon to prove it's serious about artificial intelligence - C4ISRNet [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2019]
- Artificial Intelligence Will Enable the Future, Blockchain Will Secure It - Cointelegraph [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2019]
- Artificial intelligence has become a driving force in everyday life, says LivePerson CEO - CNBC [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2019]
- 4 Reasons to Use Artificial Intelligence in Your Next Embedded Design - DesignNews [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2019]
- Artificial Intelligence Essay - 966 Words | Bartleby [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2019]
- AI News: Track The Latest Artificial Intelligence Trends And ... [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2019]
- AI in contact centres: It's time to stop talking about artificial intelligence - Verdict [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2019]
- Newsrooms have five years to embrace artificial intelligence or they risk becoming irrelevant - Journalism.co.uk [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2019]
- Scientists used IBM Watson to discover an ancient humanoid stick figure - Business Insider [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2019]
- The Mark Foundation Funds Eight Projects at the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Cancer Research - BioSpace [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2019]
- Colorado at the forefront of AI and what it means for jobs of the future - The Denver Channel [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2019]
- Highlights: Addressing fairness in the context of artificial intelligence - Brookings Institution [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2019]
- Artificial intelligence won't kill journalism or save it, but the sooner newsrooms buy in, the better - Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2019]
- How To Get Your Rsum Past The Artificial Intelligence Gatekeepers - Forbes [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2019]
- Epiq expands company-wide initiative to accelerate the deployment of artificial intelligence for clients globally - GlobeNewswire [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2019]
- Preparing the Military for a Role on an Artificial Intelligence Battlefield - The National Interest Online [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2019]
- Podcast decodes ethics in artificial intelligence and its relevance to public - Daily Bruin [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2019]
- Global Military Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybernetics Market Report, 2019-2024: Focus on Platforms, Technologies, Applications and Services -... [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2019]
- Artificial intelligence warning: Development of AI is comparable to nuclear bomb - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2019]
- Google's new study reveals 'Artificial Intelligence benefiting journalism' - Digital Information World [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Retail Market worth $15.3 billion by 2025 - Exclusive Report by Meticulous Research - GlobeNewswire [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- With artificial intelligence to a better wood product - Newswise [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- Report to Congress on Artificial Intelligence and National Security - USNI News [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- Most plastic is not getting recycled, and AI robots could be a solution - Business Insider [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- Fujifilm Showcases Artificial Intelligence Initiative And Advances AI - AiThority [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- Artificial intelligence could be one of the most valuable tools mankind has built - here's one small but meani - Business Insider India [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- Artificial Intelligence: A Need of Modern 'Intelligent' Education - Thrive Global [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- Drones And Artificial Intelligence Help Combat The San Francisco Bays Trash Problem - Forbes [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- DesignCon Expands Into Artificial Intelligence, Automotive, 5G, IoT, and More For 2020 Edition - I-Connect007 [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- Is St. Louis ready for artificial intelligence? It will steal white-collar jobs here, too - STLtoday.com [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- IT chiefs recognise the risks of artificial intelligence bias - ComputerWeekly.com [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- PNNL researchers working to improve doctor-patient care through artificial intelligence - NBC Right Now [Last Updated On: November 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- How Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence Are Helping Entrepreneurs Create a Better Customer Experience - CTOvision [Last Updated On: November 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- Manufacturing Leaders' Summit: Realising the promise of Artificial Intelligence - Manufacturer.com [Last Updated On: November 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- 2019 Artificial Intelligence in Precision Health - Dedication to Discuss & Analyze AI Products Related to Precision Healthcare Already Available -... [Last Updated On: November 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- Artificial intelligence will affect Salt Lake, Ogden more than most areas in the nation, study shows - KSL.com [Last Updated On: November 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- It Pays To Break Artificial Intelligence Out Of The Lab, Study Confirms - Forbes [Last Updated On: November 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- The Best Artificial Intelligence Stocks of 2019 -- and The Top AI Stock for 2020 - The Motley Fool [Last Updated On: November 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) Market Research Report 2019-2024 - Embedded AI in Support of IoT Things/Objects Will Reach $4.6B Globally by... [Last Updated On: December 1st, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 1st, 2019]
- How Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence Are Helping Entrepreneurs Create a Better Customer Experience - Entrepreneur [Last Updated On: December 1st, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 1st, 2019]
- SC Proposes Introduction Of Artificial Intelligence In Justice Delivery System - Inc42 Media [Last Updated On: December 1st, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 1st, 2019]
- Artificial intelligence in FX 'may be hype' - FX Week [Last Updated On: December 1st, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 1st, 2019]
- Fujifilm Showcases Artificial Intelligence Initiative And Advances at RSNA 2019 - Imaging Technology News [Last Updated On: December 1st, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 1st, 2019]
- The Surprising Way Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Transportation - Forbes [Last Updated On: December 1st, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 1st, 2019]
- Artificial Intelligence in 2020: The Architecture and the Infrastructure - Gigaom [Last Updated On: December 2nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2019]
- AI IN BANKING: Artificial intelligence could be a near $450 billion opportunity for banks - here are the strat - Business Insider India [Last Updated On: December 2nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2019]
- The impact of artificial intelligence on humans - Bangkok Post [Last Updated On: December 2nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2019]
- Should the EU embrace artificial intelligence, or fear it? - EURACTIV [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2019]
- BioSig Technologies Announces New Collaboration on Development of Artificial Intelligence Solutions in Healthcare - GlobeNewswire [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2019]
- Artificial intelligence-based fitness is promising but may not be for everyone - Livemint [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2019]
- Pondering the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care Kansas City Experts Team Up on Emerging - Flatland [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2019]
- Baidu Leads the Way in Innovation with 5712 Artificial Intelligence Patent Applications - GlobeNewswire [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2019]
- Artificial Intelligence and National Security, and More from CRS - Secrecy News [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2019]
- Longer Looks: The Psychology Of Voting; Overexcited Neurons And Artificial Intelligence; And More - Kaiser Health News [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2019]
- Emotion Artificial Intelligence Market Business Opportunities and Forecast from 2019-2025 | Eyesight Technologies, Affectiva - The Connect Report [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2019]
- The next generation of user experience is artificially intelligent - ZDNet [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2019]
- What Jobs Will Artificial Intelligence Affect? - EHS Today [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2019]
- Will the next Mozart or Picasso come from artificial intelligence? No, but here's what might happen instead - Ladders [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2019]
- Artificial intelligence apps, Parkinsons and me - BBC News [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2019]
- VA launches National Artificial Intelligence Institute to drive research and development - FierceHealthcare [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2019]