It seems like you can't turn on the news these days without hearing something about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the impact it is going to make (and is already making) in business. Even in just a few years, the technology powering the different AI programs has improved immensly and in many cases, it can be hard to tell whether you are talking to a person or computer when getting tech support online.
In today's post, I am going to highlight just a few ways AI is going to change business in the next few years and what you can do to make sure your business isn't left behind. At the end of the article, I have also posted a similar version of this article that was purely generated by ChatGPT 3.5, which is already an older version of the popular engine. Normally I would take something like this and make substantial edits before publishing, but I have published the full, unaltered text generated by the AI below so you can contrast the two.
Below are a few of the ways AI will likely have a major impact in the next few years.
1. Content Creation and Personalized Marketing
Already, we are seeing content creators and advertisers turn more and more to AI for simple copywriting and to write content such as this blog. While we still write the articles by hand, even I often use AI to help come up with new ideas and to help me come up with different versions of headlines and teasers for marketing pieces. The below article of ~500 words was written by AI with a few prompts in under 90 seconds (with most of that being me trying to figure out the prompts).
AI is being used in a wide array of advertising, including allowing marketers to quickly test hundreds of headlines and pictures for their ads in places such as Facebook or on Google to see what generates the most interest. AI is also being used to write ads. Some of these attempts might seem slightly clunky at the moment, but it won't be long until AI is able to write ads far better than any human will. In addition, AI will already have quite a bit of data on each user and will eventually be able to display highly customized ads made just for you as you browse the internet.
2. Automation of Routine Tasks
AI is already allowing businesses to automate routine tasks, such as taking data from one place and pasting it into another place. AI is also able to take vast amounts of data and compile it into ways we can better understand and use the data, such as by creating spreadsheets, tables, or charts. When done properly, this can allow companies to free up people to work on more complex, high-level projects but also means some of these menial jobs will likely be replaced by AI in the next few years.
3. Better Customer Experiences
AI is already being used on many popular sites to answer basic questions instantly for customers and it is likely that it will be able to handle simple phone calls in the future. If you think that people will always be able to tell the different between a real person and an AI in a phone conversation, check out this video of AI making an appointment. Keep in mind, this is from 6 years ago and AI has improved dramatically since then.
It is very likely that in the next few years, companies will replace hundreds of people in call centers with AI to answer basic questions or schedule basic appointments, with only a few people needed for the more complex cases.
4. Improved Security
AI is already being tested to help detect threats and irregularities across internal networks in real-time to find and deal with security issues before your team even knows they exist. In the future, AI will be able to constantly monitor and eliminate any threats and report them to your team. This means you'll know when an employee clicked on something they shouldn't have or responded to a phishing email immediately so you can ensure additional training is conducted to keep those issues from happening aagin.
5. Advanced Data Analysis
If you own a small business, chances are you have quite a bit of data about your customers but don't have the budget or team needed to effectively analyze the data to figure out what opportunities you might be missing out on. As AI improves, many businesses that previously couldn't afford sophisticated analysis will suddenly be able to cheaply and effectively go through their data so they can make targeted offers to the right customers and clients who are a perfect fit. Perhaps just as importantly, AI will even be able to help you set up systems to capture that data so you are in an even better position as you move forward.
These are just a few of the ways AI is already shaping how business is done, and this trend seems like it will only move faster as improvements are made in the technology. If your company hasn't started talking about how AI can help you get more done yet, now is the time to start. For now, I highly recommend checking out ChatGPT. You can ask it questions or ask it to write a blog post or marketing piece for your business. Be sure to ask it to give you some different headlines and if you don't like the initial batch, tell it how to improve them. I would suggest starting here and then taking a hard look at some of the basic, repetitive tasks in your business to figure out where AI might be able to help.
If you are interested in talking about how we can help your business plan for the future, be sure to give us a call to schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys.
Now as promised, the same article written entirely by AI follows.
The article written by AI (ChatGPT):
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize how businesses operate in the coming years. As technology advances and AI applications become more sophisticated, several significant changes are expected to shape the business landscape. Here are the five biggest changes AI is set to make:
- Enhanced Decision-Making and Predictive Analytics
AI's ability to process vast amounts of data and extract meaningful insights will significantly enhance decision-making processes in businesses. Advanced algorithms will enable real-time analysis, allowing companies to make informed decisions faster than ever before. Predictive analytics powered by AI will forecast trends, customer behaviors, and market dynamics with greater accuracy, empowering businesses to strategize proactively.
- Automation of Routine Tasks and Operational Efficiency
One of the most immediate impacts of AI will be the automation of repetitive and mundane tasks across various departments. From customer service through chatbots to back-office operations like data entry and processing, AI-powered automation will streamline workflows and improve operational efficiency. This shift will free up human resources to focus on more strategic and creative tasks, driving innovation within organizations.
- Personalized Customer Experiences
AI-driven personalization will redefine how businesses interact with their customers. Machine learning algorithms will analyze customer data in real-time to tailor product recommendations, marketing messages, and service offerings to individual preferences. This personalized approach not only enhances customer satisfaction but also boosts customer retention and loyalty, ultimately driving revenue growth.
- Improved Cybersecurity Measures
As cyber threats become more sophisticated, AI will play a crucial role in enhancing cybersecurity measures for businesses. AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to detect patterns indicative of potential security breaches or anomalies in network behavior. Additionally, AI-powered threat detection and response systems can act autonomously to mitigate risks and protect sensitive information, ensuring robust cybersecurity defenses for businesses of all sizes.
- Transformation of Industries Through AI Integration
Across various industries, AI integration will lead to transformative changes. In healthcare, AI-powered diagnostics and personalized treatment plans will revolutionize patient care. In manufacturing, AI-driven predictive maintenance will minimize downtime and optimize production processes. Financial services will benefit from AI's ability to analyze market trends and manage investments effectively. Moreover, AI will drive innovation in logistics, entertainment, education, and beyond, reshaping traditional business models and creating new opportunities.
In conclusion, AI's impact on business in the next few years will be profound and far-reaching. From enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency to driving personalized customer experiences and revolutionizing industries, businesses that embrace AI technologies will gain a competitive edge in the increasingly digital economy. While challenges such as ethical considerations and workforce adaptations will arise, the potential benefits of AI adoption outweigh the risks. Businesses that strategically leverage AI will not only survive but thrive in the dynamic landscape of the future.
As we stand on the brink of this AI-driven transformation, businesses must prepare by investing in AI talent, fostering a culture of innovation, and adapting their strategies to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence. The future of business belongs to those who embrace change and harness the power of AI to propel their organizations forward.
