How Artificial Intelligence will impact Business

The idea of Artificial Intelligence has been around for a very long time. Science fiction writers have been dreaming up scenarios for what could be long before the technology to create anything like it in the real world.

But, that's changing … and fast. Almost every business on the planet will be impacted by the added capabilities that Artificial Intelligence enables. Everything from the fairly obvious data analysis and pattern recognition in the massive data repositories created by autonomous vehicles, IoT sensors in (almost) everything, and robotic devices that extend far beyond the factory floor. To the seemingly more esoteric elements of understanding human emotions, creating virtual assistants, and helping humans more readily access the powers of AI.

Artificial Intelligence means Jobs!

There have been more than a few articles about jobs being taken by Artificial Intelligence. This is absolutely true. However, like with all new(ish) technologies there are jobs taken and jobs given.

"By 2020, AI will generate 2.3 million jobs, exceeding the 1.8 million that it will remove." via Gartner

Artificial Intelligence is comprised of numerous elements sensors, robotics, and machine learning are at the core of AI. But, access to data repositories is critical - whether it's historical data or real-time data from sensors (traffic cams, factory robots, AEV's, etc.). There is going to be a continued effort to provide access to data, but also to protect this data from exposing too much information. Think PII, CII and GII - for people, corporations, and governments. This is a balancing act that is still fluid.

1. Don’t believe the hype: Not every business is using AI… yet.

2. Believe the hype that AI can potentially boost your top and bottom line. via HBR

AI is a collection of rules and algorithms. Traditionally these have been fixed and somewhat linear with branches available. In the near term the ability to allow AI's to program themselves is going to be more and more common. Rules need to be applied to insure that AI's don't run amok. I don't mean in the Terminator sense (although that should be considered). I mean more in the sense that an empowered AI doesn't decide to do things that run counter to what humans can and should expect from AI's. There are implicit challenges with this short sighted thinking that need to be addressed.

Listen to the show here. My segment starts at the 43 minute mark, but please listen to the whole show.

What's Next for AI?

When Quantum Computing becomes widely available it will change everything. The speed at which data can be processed will increase exponentially. Making possible many scenarios that can allow AI's to program themselves, make their own decisions, and potentially make amazing breakthroughs.

Are we ready for that?

Some of the things we can expect include lots of jobs and tasks that used to be done by humans. It will also include a lot of things that humans cannot realistically do or cannot do cost effectively or safely. What What Michio Kaku calls the 3D’s. Within the 3D’s there will be jobs and added functionality where AI can enable systems to help reduce poaching of animals and plants (forests are at risks).

There will be a lot of jobs in the traditional commercial space that will be impacted. Some of these jobs will go away and some will require human interaction to design, develop, deploy and maintain systems that are being automated. Note: Automation doesn’t imply Artificial Intelligence will be involved. Some automation tasks are just plain old automation that’s been around for 50+ years.

80% of enterprises already have some form of AI in production today. via Forbes

Examples of AI in use where jobs may be impacted:

• Grocery Stores – Use of robots with mobility and computer vision to check inventory levels.
• Distribution centers – Similar to grocery stores, but robots will use AI to optimize picking and delivering products to the packaging central locations. The packing centers may still have a human element involved, but eventually that will change. Of course, drone-based delivery may change the game even more.
• Medical – X-rays and MRI’s have traditionally been evaluated by humans. Over the past decade there have been vast repositories of information captured that AI in conjunction with Machine Learning, computer vision and sensor data can evaluate on a massive scale and with greater accuracy to determine results of these tests.

Areas where jobs may not be impacted, rather they may create roles:

• Poaching – Monitoring game reserves for everything from tracking the animals to the poachers. The information coming from the sensors may need constant adjustment to insure optimal outcomes.
• Pharmaceutical – AI can help speed the search for new drugs. Data scientists and biological scientists will need to make sure they understand the implications and opportunities that arise.
• Livery Services – We all know Uber and Lyft are allowing drivers to put their own vehicles to work. They use extensive AI to insure coverage in key areas. In the short term they will continue to hire more drivers. In the longer term I suspect they will have human driver doing package and food delivery services.

These are just six relatively simple examples. There will be countless others that use AI to maximize the utilization and enhance the power of Machine Learning, Computer Vision, IoT, IIoT, robots and more. The reality is that jobs will be eliminated and jobs will be morphed and jobs will be created by Artificial Intelligence use cases in business. Many businesses have have already started using AI in conjunction with other elements that benefit from the use of AI.

30% of enterprises are planning on expanding their AI investments over the next 36 months.  via Forbes

As with every Breakthrough Byte segment I break it down into Pros, Cons and ROI. You may disagree with these points and if you do please drop a comment here so we can start a discussion.

• AI will make it possible for people to focus on things they are interested in
• AI will make life better for all (optimistic view) - people, plants and animals (and the planet)
• AI will allow people to live longer - better food, better exercise, better medicine (Think Singularity)
  

Pros	AI will enable people to avoid the 3D's we've talked about with robotics (Dirty, Dull and Dangerous) AI will allow humans to do more by removing / reducing the drudgery of common tasks AI does NOT replace human judgement (yet!) Anything that CAN be automated WILL be automated --- Be ready! This is a good thing.
Cons	PII is still an issue. The Terms of Use we have all given big firms may have exposed too much info. Can we unwind that permission? Under what circumstances? AI will not be a panacea. AI will take jobs Those that don't prepare will be in for a shock. Prep is not hard, but WILL take work If you can imagine it … you can do it
ROI	AI will make it possible for people to focus on things they are interested in AI will make life better for all (optimistic view) - people, plants and animals AI will allow people to live longer - better food, better exercise, better medicine

Thanks for reading. If you want to continue the conversation … let’s get a dialog going!

Image Credits: Michele Price, Breakthrough Radio

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Jeff is business advisor, mentor and community engagement expert. He brings over 20 years of Channel Sales, Partner Marketing and Alliance expertise to audiences around the world in speaking engagements and via his writing. He has worked for Microsoft, Kodak, and K2.

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