How Not To Use AI In Business
Attaining the latest technology is always desirable in business, especially for those in a constant struggle to get the edge over their competitors. The latest technology means smoother operations. Smoother operations mean happy customers who are catered for quickly and sufficiently.
That doesn’t mean that all new technology is good, however. While there is plenty of modern tech creating waves in the market, we are not yet at a stage where every new piece of equipment is fully developed.
Take AI, for example. Removing human error might sound like the perfect solution to a company’s problems – it is already aiding businesses in daily applications, digitally assisting online customers and alleviating risks in software protection – but the technology is not necessarily perfect.
In fact, before your company decides to invest in AI – depending on where you are planning to install it – there are a few things you need to think about and consider before you make that decision:
Is Your Business Built On Relationships?
When it comes to online assistance – AI chatbots aiding customers on a website – there needs to be a serious question about the relationships you are trying to achieve. A B2B company, for instance, is built upon retaining clients and ensuring communication and marketing is perfect across the board. This, of course, helps to strengthen those relationships and will ensure your clients remain loyal. Loyalty strategies - such as the programs offered on incentivesmart.com - are integral to the company, but they can be hampered by poor AI communication. Chatbots are not yet at a stage where they can truly assist customers, and in many cases, they can end up driving them away due to poor understanding and the general annoyance of losing that human communication.
Can Your Business Afford It?
On another more simple note, it is important to consider whether your business can really afford to utilise AI effectively. The time and resources that go into AI technology cost a substantial amount of money, which means the cost of acquiring it is just as expensive. Going into 2023, many businesses are already struggling when it comes to saving costs. It is essential, therefore, that you figure out why exactly you need AI and whether the hardware – which also costs money to update and meet the latest requirements – is worth it for the company.
Does Your Business Value Innovation?
Another issue with AI – although not one that is often talked about – is the fact that it is taking away jobs and tasks that were ordinarily done through human resourcing. Although you might not be letting go of any task members, your AI applications will still be automating certain tasks, which means your staff members will have fewer tasks on their own plates. This, in return, can lead to a lack of motivation and even boredom, which means you will see a dip in improvement in the team and your own business. Not to mention, AI intelligence only does what it is told to do, which means there will be no “improvement” on the technology’s side either. If your business values innovation, it is important to consider this and make sure that your staff are always invigorated, and new ideas are not hampered by routine and technology.