Autonomous technology (think artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)) is transforming the way we engage with the world around us. The business world is no exception.

While there is an air of scepticism surrounding autonomous technology in the workplace, strong evidence suggests that AI and ML-powered innovations can enhance existing roles or functions within the workplace.

In fact, 83pc of business across industries state that artificial intelligence is a top strategic priority for all key areas of the organisation. Also, 31pc of top marketing, creative, and IT professionals plan to invest in autonomous technologies to help improve their performance within the next 12-month period.

At present, the technology exists to help streamline a number of business-based tasks and operational initiatives—and by embracing AI or ML-powered platforms, you stand to boost productivity in these four key business areas.

Customer experience (CX)

Experts say that customer experience (CX) is set to be the number one brand differentiator in 2020 and beyond. That said, offering an exemplary level of service across the board is essential.

But with a wealth of platforms and touchpoints to cover, how do you respond to every customer need or query in a timely fashion? Chatbots are the answer.

Powered by ML technology, chatbots are able to reply to consumer queries in a conversational tone while performing practical tasks like shipping refunds or reordering faulty products. Plus they learn with almost every human transaction.

A huge 70pc of Millennials say they’ve had positive chatbot experiences. Moreover, 90pc of brands that use chatbots report a significant improvement in their complaint resolution rates. It’s an invaluable way to streamline your CX offering.

Fulfillment and stock management

While fulfillment may be more complex for businesses that sell physical inventory, if you sell services or offer educational courses, for instance, streamlining your processes will save you money while boosting output.

Poor fulfilment processes will cost your business time and money. But in the digital age, it doesn’t have to be this way.

While fulfilment and stock management were once laborious processes, autonomous innovation is giving business owners the tools to streamline their strategies for increased success.

Tools or software with in-built automation and automatic monitoring allow bots to check and replenish items when necessary without human intervention. They also update stock records in real-time and with razor-sharp precision—much like a virtual human brain.

Marketing and communications

Digital marketing and user experience (UX) go hand in hand in the digital age. By delivering value-driven content and driving engagement across all channels – from desktop to mobile, social media, email, and beyond – you will push yourself ahead of the pack. But covering all bases consistently takes time (and plenty of it).

Fortunately, a host of autonomous tools and platforms exist that will empower to increase your marketing initiatives in the following key areas:

• Social media scheduling and data analytics
• Lead generation & nurturing tasks
• Sales strategy and data curation
• Automated A/B testing
• Content marketing ideation and scheduling

Marketing and sales prioritise AI and ML technology higher than any other department in the modern business world. Now it’s your turn.

Scheduling and personnel management

Personnel management is integral to ongoing business success. If you can’t look after your employees and take care of personnel logistics, your entire organisation will descend into chaos.

Employee scheduling, management, and time tracking isn’t easy to get right when you’re overstretched. But by taking measures to streamline this critical business area, you will increase productivity and improve employee motivation. A real win-win scenario.

The prosperous news is: AI and ML technology is transforming personnel management in a significant way, with tools and innovations designed to assist business executives to achieve optimal operational efficiency.

Online scheduling software will help pressured departments within your business maintain a fluent, communicative workforce (with minimal human intervention) by using a singular scheduling app.

These smart scheduling platforms will remove particularly time-consuming tasks from your daily to-do list, allowing you time to make the strategic decisions that will benefit the growth of your business.

Oh, and apparently, 64pc of employees trust a robot more than their current manager – so it might be time to embrace AI.

The future is here and it’s autonomous. By leveraging AL and ML-driven tools to your advantage, you will catalyse the growth of your business while gaining an all-important edge on the competition.

For more more business-boosting advice, read about why ignoring employee weaknesses is bad for your organisation.

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These are the practical applications of AI for small businesses in the UK