How Will AI Affect Business Intelligence?

Next generation intelligence

Many organizations are already looking into next generation business intelligence and what role AI and virtual reality (VR) will have to play. Recent advances in the tech behind these quite broad terms mean that cognitive computing is now being used to work on algorithms that massively outperform people.

In theory, this means machines are capable of 'making decisions' using data without the need for any human input, in much less time and without the threat of sickness or even a break.

Concerns with AI advancement

Dr Barry Devlin, one of the leading minds in how AI will impact business models, has raised concerns of organizations using this type of super-automation.

In an article published on Analytics Today, Dr Devlin explains that automation is often seen as a threat because of the potential number of jobs under threat. However, he is more concerned about a so-called ‘black box’ in the decision making process.

"Often it is impossible to describe how the AI came to a conclusion, recommendation [or] decision. Some see this as good (eliminate human prejudice), but I see it as threatening, because prejudice may exist in the algorithm - intentionally or not - unknown to its users," he said.

This, as Dr Devlin highlights, could cause further problems for companies when the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is implemented next year. The question will remain as to whether algorithms should be used to make decisions or whether strategic and creative thinking must also play a part.

However, it's important that businesses choose to engage with AI.

The opportunities of AI

Ken Goldberg, Professor of Engineering and Director of the People and Robots initiative at UC Berkeley, believes that AI offers the opportunity for people to co-create with machine intelligence.

"Many of the public, and even experts in the industry, have come to expect that we will see exponential advances in technology, but the fact is we’ve seen unfulfilled predictions about AI and robotics for the past 50 years. Besides, fears of technology go back to Prometheus and the Greeks, and up through Frankenstein and the Terminator," the Guardian reports.

This co-creation could be a key factor in deciding which companies are able to make a success of the advancement of artificial intelligence. We live in a world where driverless cars are already on the roads and huge amounts of data is stored in the cloud. All of the obstacles that were stalling AI have all been circumnavigated so you can be sure that next generation business intelligence will revolve around this tech.

However, what will be even more important is how people choose to use it to their advantage. A machine can make the best decision for a company based on profit margins and algorithms, but there is much more to consider in a modern organization. Morale, company culture, loyalty and general health and wellbeing all play their part in making a business successful.

The role that AI can play in this level of business intelligence still remains to be seen, but surely it is these organizations that will be the greatest success stories of the AI revolution.

Further reading:

• What Does the Post-COVID Future of AI Look Like for Businesses?
• How AI Will Impact the IT Department
• 100 Ways to Automate Your Enterprise