The news about artificial intelligence has been coming fast and furious over the past six months.  The list of things AI can do is reason for excitement as well as some worry.  But either way, it’s coming.  Organizations that learn how to utilize AI will benefit, but those who don’t risk falling behind.

• Shameless plug: I’m offering a 60-minute webinar, “Intro to AI for Business” and a full-day workshop, “How Your Company Can Benefit from AI.”  Details at the end of this email.

How can organizations benefit from AI?

• Encourage employees to familiarize themselves with AI.  Learn the basics of what AI is and how it works.  Use AI chat bots such as Chat GPT and Bard.  Find out what platforms are offering AI-powered services for your industry and get demos.

• One caveat to the above: have a policy about acceptable ways for employees to use AI, and in particular, what data may and may not be shared on an AI platform.  Be aware of data confidentiality considerations – these differ by platform.  For example, information shared with ChatGPT is used to train it further.  However, OpenAI announced it will soon launch ChatGPT Business which will enable organizations to keep their data confidential.

• Customer experience: the fact that AI can analyze vast amounts of data with ease can provide opportunities for organizations to serve their customers faster, better or in a more customized fashion.  For example, could your organization use AI to handle customer questions more quickly?   Or anticipate their needs with tailored recommendations? 

• Innovation: organizations can use AI to analyze the behavior and needs of customers and prospects and come up with new products and services.

• Marketing: AI can help organizations target their marketing more effectively, as well as help reduce the time needed to create marketing materials.

• Productivity: AI sharply decreases the time to accomplish knowledge work tasks.  This raises concerns about layoffs, but the benefit could also be used to increase productivity and to enable employees to have the work-life balance so many organizations say they aspire to.

Of course, the above is just a partial list, and each organization will have their own specific opportunities and challenges when it comes to AI.  I’m here to help with the following options:

• Intro to AI for Business: 60-minute webinar that explains what AI is and how organizations can benefit from AI, as well potential pitfalls to be aware of.  Includes time for Q&A.

• How Your Company Can Benefit from AI: A full-day, in-person facilitated workshop to brainstorm ways your organization can best utilize AI, including a review of the relevant AI-powered platforms currently available.

Email me at info at bureauwest.com and let’s discuss how I can help!

Sources: Bureau West research; “OpenAI previews business plan for ChatGPT, launches new privacy controls,” TechCrunch, 4/25/23