Eighty-four percent of businesses see the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as “essential” to competitiveness, while half view the technology as “transformative,” according to Tata Consultancy Services’ Global Trend Study released in March 2017. AI, once limited to experimentation within large enterprises and R&D labs, is becoming an accessible and cost-feasible tool for all market segments — including entrepreneurs and the businesses they run.
But, as was the case with cloud computing and big data, broader availability of AI does not by default translate into productivity gains, better customer service or operational efficiency. As vendors bake AI into existing workforce communications and collaboration solutions, they must keep an eye firmly fixed on areas where AI can improve productivity. Here are five ways AI can do just that.
AI ends the “paper chase.”
OK, so it’s not physical paper anymore, but employees are struggling to manage an avalanche of emails, messages, tasks, files and meetings. It’s little wonder the typical worker spends nearly 20 percent of their week just searching for and gathering information. The good news: Artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities through bots are helping to shift the burden away from workers struggling to manually filter the influx of content, communications and notifications.
AI helps reduce the amount of time workers must dedicate each day to the “orchestration” of work, and more time on the work itself. For example, the ability to search through all a user’s cloud applications to find the documents, messages, social profiles and any content relevant to the conversation or meeting they’re having enables workers to collaborate effectively and leads to a more efficient workforce.
AI cuts into wasted meeting time.
300,000 hours a year: That’s how much manpower consultants from Bain & Company