How big of a change will AI in business operations affect me? Everyone is thinking about it—even you. But not many have an answer to these questions. It’s uncharted territory for many of us especially since AI’s recent boom caused quite a stir.

Just two years ago, ChatGPT was released alongside AI-made art, software designers, and more. Since then the impact of AI in business operations has slowly been noticeable for many. However, each person with each specialty has their own experiences with AI.

Below you’ll find the changes caused by the appearance of artificial intelligence in business. Examples of each profession teach us the different changes AI can give (regardless if it’s good or bad for the employee.)

What is Artificial Intelligence?

There’s a step we have to take first to learn about AI in business operations. Before we dive into all the nitty-gritty details we should first discuss what artificial intelligence is. Contrary to popular belief, artificial intelligence isn’t just software-related.

People think that AI has become a big challenge only just recently. The truth is that we’ve been using AI far longer than what everyone else thinks. AI technologies have been around since the 1900s and only matured in the 1950s. 

Artificial Intelligence is a method of computer science that imitates the human brain’s capacity for creating, solving, and overall intelligence. The mimicking method of artificial intelligence to copy human procedures remains imperfect to this day. However, it can now generate some interesting results that have caused debates and delays to professions and businesses.

5 Use of Artificial Intelligence in Business Operations

Now, it’s time to learn the role of AI in business operations. Take note that these are just a few examples. However, these examples may give you a general idea of what AI has in store for your profession.

AI in Data Management

AI in business operations, such as data management, is a beneficial response to the increasing challenge of cybersecurity. The digital age has caused an influx of cybercriminals dedicated to breaching data, which is something AI in data management helps prevent.

Not only that, artificial intelligence can also mimic some menial data science tasks. These menial tasks include organisation, data gathering, and optimisation. This makes a data scientist’s job easier, as they can focus on the other more specialised tasks of their trade.

AI in Customer Service

There’s a lot of debate on the survivability of customer service representatives because of the rise of AI in business operations. Unfortunately for many, there are fact-based backings regarding AI in customer service, which shows that some jobs will become obsolete in the future.

However, customer service won’t completely be replaced by artificial intelligence. What AI in customer service cannot replicate is the human empathy and understanding of each consumer’s needs. Instead, it may become an assistant and partner for customer service operations. Especially with the high demands of multiple consumers.

AI in customer service will instead take care of the menial tasks such as data entry for customer service. It can also organise complaints and inquiries in categories. 

AI in Supply Chain Management

The benefits of artificial intelligence in business aren’t just as partners in specialties or careers. AI in business operations such as supply chain management can decrease the time consumed by processing operations.

How does it do that? It’s simple. AI in supply chain management assists through the optimisation of routes with workflows, automating tasks, and improvement of delivery. 

The errors in supply chain management come from shipping, organisation, and an imbalance between logistics. That’s why AI serves as a critical tool to maintain seamless operations by creating optimised patterns for more cost-effective supply management.

Long gone are the days when warehouse-cargo-distribution centres would incur mixups and confusion between deliveries. That is, as long as you know how to properly balance AI with human management.

AI in Human Resources

Many people wonder about the role of AI in business operations. None more so than those working in human resources. Contrary to popular belief, human resources aren’t a big cause of concern regarding job replacement by AI.

Instead, AI in human resources helps HR with recruitment and management activities by organising and supporting HR’s administrative and operational processing. Compared to other professions in business, AI is still slightly in the dark concerning its effects on human resources.

Further discussions and research are needed to provide accurate information on AI’s potential in HR and its possible effects.

AI in Marketing and Sales

Unlike other AI in business operations, marketing and sales have adopted its support for a long time. Contrary to popular belief, search engines are self-service resources that allow you to sort out relevant information regarding your intent using AI through algorithms and machine learning.

This doesn’t necessarily mean there aren’t any new changes. Recently, generative AI has become a resource for consumers in transactional-based searches. That’s where marketing fits in. With the help of SEO specialists and content writers, digital marketing has begun its ascent into a necessity for a business’s survival.

This time AI’s generative capabilities have given these specialists an advantage to steer their content into transactional-based information, at the very least, those within their niche.

The same goes for sales as well, AI helps track note-taking during meetings, speeds up researching, and even analysing calls between clients. With the help of AI, salespeople can even predict potential market leads, and gain prospects based on search intent.

Future of AI in Business Operations

The impact of AI on business operations is unavoidable. Times have changed and it’s our job as business operators to flexibly manoeuvre ourselves to go along with its flow. It’s expected that AI will increase its supporting capabilities to numerous professions and businesses. 

Whether it will replace certain careers is still in debate. What is considered a fact is that any impact AI has in the near future will be solely supportive of specialists in their field rather than replacements. 

Its seamless capabilities will guarantee smoother transitions at each step of a business process compared to time-consuming and menial tasks once done by humans. Furthermore, it will give an overall insight and analysis regarding the service quality of each operation it supports.

Conclusion

The future of AI in business is here. Don’t stay behind in the past and begin implementing AI in your business operations. For some, it will lead to specific changes in their career. For others, it creates a chance for smoother processing. Your flexibility will be tested for the incoming changes.

Charge ahead with the future and partner with us at Flexisource IT to maximise the use of AI in your startup business.  Contact us today!