Artificial intelligence is not a thing of the future anymore. We live in a world where AI is working diligently in the shadows of every major industry. The industrial revolution of the past built the world we are enjoying today, and it was done using the strength of human ingenuity and manpower. The technological revolution is seen as a threat to the professionals who have traditionally been the driving force behind industry.
The problem is thinking of technology as a replacement for people power. The use of technology creates the need for an increase in jobs in the technology sector and puts powerful tools in the hands of the industrial sector. AI—like all other technology—is an instrument to enhance human productivity and efficiency. Here, we will highlight ways in which AI is improving the job market and not leading to its demise.
1. Handles Mundane Tasks. On a daily basis, typical workers are forced to handle tasks that are not necessarily beneficial to the business, such as canceling meetings, rearranging bookings and setting up quotas and team deliverables.
Thanks to the implementation of AI, the majority of these tasks can be automated, leaving employees focusing on elements of business that will make a difference not only to profitability but also to the customer experience.
One prime example of this is a SaaS called X.ia. This service offers AI-driven personal assistants that are able to handle basic and advanced administrative tasks.
2. Improves IT Performance. In the current digital era, developers are in the limelight. When it comes to new innovations such as AI, and the anticipated changes it may bring about, there is speculation as to whether it will harm the IT workforce, or be a blessing in disguise.
What’s important to remember is that end-users are not just looking for an in-the-box shortcut solution. They want something smart and innovative that solves the problem they are having. The easiest way to do this is to implement some form of AI to analyze the needs of your end users, helping developers provide intuitive solutions.
In essence, AI will not cause irreparable damage to the IT job market, but rather it will help make life easier through automation – not only ensuring that monotonous tasks do not take up time, but also creating a better understanding in the gap between developers and the problems that end users need to have solved.
Through the implementation of AI, IT professionals are able to:
- Improve algorithmic patterns, enhancing search times and user experience
- Gain a better understanding of user experience and interaction with web-based applications
- Ensure continuous system evolution and improvement
3. Helps HR With Time Utilization. SMBs tend to overlook is the cost of training a new employee. It takes time and resources to ensure that they can do their job efficiently. An industry report was released in 2017 that showcased that the average business cost for training new employees was roughly US$1,886 per employee.
However, AI coaching tools can streamline this process, getting employees up to speed more quickly, and saving business resources. Not only can HR use AI tools to make the shortlist processing easier, but there are also various tools to make on-job training easier.
A good example is Chorus. This tool is specifically used for sales reps. It analyzes calls and gives real-time tips and information to help streamline trainees’ proficiency. It is also used as a tracking tool for each sales rep on the team, helping pinpoint areas for improvement and overall team performance goals that should be created. AI tools like this save time and resources while helping businesses get ahead of the curve.
4. Aids with Customer Service. Customer service representatives are charged with the task of dealing with customers that are—if we are honest—not always the most pleasant. The frustration of a customer that probes them to contact customer service is often fuel for lashing out at the sales representative.
Chatbots help customer service representatives by addressing basic front-end concerns that customers may have. This technology is programmed by customer service reps to address common issues. This gives the customer service team time to handle the issues that are more involved and easily answered. There are a variety of chatbot examples for different businesses.
5. Solves Complex Challenges. As much as we pride ourselves on the abilities of human intelligence, the computation abilities of computer systems are far more powerful than that of humans. This, in no way, makes computers smarter than humans, however. When we have complex equations or need to understand and create algorithmic systems, there is really no greater option than technology, and AI in particular.
While computers lack interpersonal and human reasoning skills, they are helping workers to achieve things they weren’t able to in the past.
6. Grants Time for More Creativity. Human beings specialize in creativity. This is a skill that is unique to humans. True creativity is not based on a specific pattern or an algorithm that can be programmed into a machine. With AI working to free up the workforce from the most mundane and complex duties of the workplace, humans are able to do what we do best – be creative.
7. Enhances the Workplace Culture. When much of a worker’s time is spent doing arduous tasks in an office or cubicle, there is less time for productive interactions with the rest of the staff. AI gives workers the chance to truly work together as a team. The time freed up can be used to expand upon the human culture in the workplace.
Conclusion
The current wave of AI is far from a battle of man versus machine. The tools and systems that AI has offered to the modern-day workforce are invaluable. Just as the industrial revolution opened the doors for jobs in the industrial sector, the technological revolution has arrived to help replace the astronomical number of industrial jobs that have been lost in recent years.
About the author: Grace Frenson is a freelance writer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. She recently graduated from Drexel University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. While studying for her degree, she interned under a notable marketing consultant in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.