How AI is taking the business world by storm

It will be a few years yet before robots like Star Trek’s Data take over the boardroom. But they’re already transforming the way we work, saving time and money whilst improving productivity.

Artificial Intelligence, or AI as these robots are sometimes known, has been around for decades – in the car manufacturing business, for instance, where they have carried out a wide range of mechanised tasks.

But new technology has expanded the ability of such robots to carry out tasks that require more cognitive ability. The Apple personal assistant, Siri is a good example of how a thinking robot can be integrated into everyday activities.

A recent study from Oxford University estimated that around one-third of existing UK jobs could be automated within the next 20 years.

Repetitive and routine office work such as writing reports or drawing up spreadsheets can easily be replaced with software.

HSBC has just announced they are to roll out voice recognition technology to deal with the routine banking needs of customers. And the NHS is increasingly reliant on AI to catch life-threatening illnesses at an early stage.

In industry, the technology that has produced cars that can park themselves could remove the need for human forklift truck drivers and in China the first robot-only factory is under construction.

It has been predicted that the e-commerce industry will rapidly advance with AI, offering bespoke design options based on the customer’s order history and preferences.

Reader in Autonomous Intelligent Robotics, Dr Nick Hawes said big data will have an important role to play in today’s business environment.

Dr Hawes believes that with so much investment going into managing and maintaining Big Data, the way businesses work will completely change.

He said: “In the short term future we will see a rise in automating tasks and inference data. And in the long term, robotics.”

With the takeover of robotics due to progress within the next decade, the end of menial jobs is near along with the birth of more interesting, creative roles.

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