AI is already being widely used by businesses to improve efficiency, boost productivity, save money, and better target marketing efforts. The coming year will doubtless see further huge leaps in the tech that supports AI, delivering ever more opportunities for businesses and their customers alike.
Increasingly Immersive Experiences
Augmented reality will hugely affect many aspects of business operations in 2023. In terms of marketing and the customer experience, this will take the form of virtual showrooms, where visitors can view a product from multiple angles, call up all the product information they require, and view virtual demonstrations of the product in action.
How business teams operate is also likely to change: the average team chat app will soon incorporate AR technology, so even remote teams can easily collaborate within innovative virtual spaces.
Semi-Autonomous Businesses
Automation is already being widely deployed in the food industry, and this is set to increase significantly in 2023. Texas has recently seen the unveiling of McDonald's very first semi-autonomous outlet; it uses touchscreens, a high-tech conveyor belt system, and order-ahead lanes, all of which are powered by a sophisticated AI brain.
Making Translation a Breeze
This year is likely to see the implementation of real-time, accurate AI translation tools, making it easier for global businesses to communicate seamlessly with customers and stakeholders. Geographical boundaries will become ever-more blurred as tech allows businesses to connect and do business with clients worldwide.
Cost Reduction
As well as eliminating instances of human error, switching to automation will also allow businesses to save a huge amount of time and money. Plus, automation regarding reporting and accounting usually helps to maintain compliance, meaning a business avoids receiving a nasty and unexpected tax bill.
Using Big Data
Many large companies have been using big data for some years to discover and predict customer trends, identify possible new markets, and more. This AI-fuelled tech will soon likely be used by businesses of all shapes and sizes, too, for example, to gain invaluable insight into customer behavior.
Making Business Personal
While the growing use of AI may suggest an increasingly clinical means of interacting with audiences, it's actually driving the creation and delivery of more personalized products and services. By personalizing the entire customer experience, informed by details provided by AI-powered analysis, businesses can stand out from the crowd and create a loyal customer base.
Automated Decision-Making
While nothing can beat gut instinct, AI-supported tools are already helping business leaders make important decisions that, if gotten wrong, could have a significant impact on profitability. Predictive analytics uses AI-enriched tech to assess huge amounts of data to anticipate future events and outcomes. Armed with this information, managers are better able to clearly see the road to take and potential upcoming hurdles in the path.
Changing the Recruitment Process
Expect to see, too, the handing over to AI of many aspects of the recruitment process. Talent-sourcing AI solutions are already being used to 'read' applications and identify the candidates that should be taken forward to the interview stage, while algorithms can also be deployed to identify patterns in candidates' interviews to help select the most suitable individual for the role.
NLP Chatbots
Not so many years ago, attempting to get the information you needed via a chatbot was a frustrating - and often pointless - experience. Now, however, NLP (Neural Language Processing) chatbots are frequently found that can not only intuitively supply the answers or info you need but can do so using human-like language. Expect to encounter these as standard on more and more business websites as 2023 progresses.
Virtual Personal Assistants
If you run or manage a business and are considering taking on a PA, you'll have a choice between a human or AI option in 2023 and beyond. AI assistants can be used to help manage your calendar, take care of your social media scheduling, and deal with your incoming emails, and even make recommendations to help you work smarter.
Boosting Cybersecurity
A cyber attack can be a huge headache for a business of any kind, and protecting against them is more difficult than ever before. In 2023, AI tools will be widely deployed by businesses to take care of their cybersecurity. Due to this type of tech's learning capabilities, there will be no need to manually upgrade protection software or add patches; the tools have the capability of figuring out for themselves what steps need to be taken to ensure the highest levels of security are maintained.
The Final Word: The Value of AI
AI offers many opportunities for a business to add value both to their operations and in the mind of their customers. AI tools can ensure consistency of quality and delivery, add personalization to enhance the overall customer experience and reduce costs.
Looking further ahead, AI will likely deliver ever more powerful solutions to help businesses connect with their audience and stakeholders worldwide. It's predicted that by 2030, virtually all the devices we use, from toys to music systems to household appliances, will be embedded with AI chips that can both recognize voice commands and anticipate their users' needs.
