Technological advancements and digital transformations are
drastically changing the way we do business today. Technologies like Big Data,
Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning, Robots and
Automation are the new buzzwords of today, transforming user experience,
engaging the consumer, analyzing patterns and enabling proactive and real-time
response.
Intelligence and
automation combined can change the way business is done across all sectors of
the economy. Intelligent automation systems sense and synthesize vast amounts
of information can automate entire processes or workflows, learning and
adapting as they go and give consumers an experience that is highly customized
to their tastes and preferences. Artificial Intelligence (AI) takes
personalization to the next level as AI, in the form of Machine Learning (ML),
can predict and personalize answers to customers’ queries and requests. This
trend enables marketers to have one-on-one customers’ conversations by applying
data points from social media posts, browsing and purchasing histories, and
past customer interactions to get a complete view of every customer. Ray Kurzweil, the famous
American author, computer scientist, inventor, and futurist said that Artificial
intelligence will reach human levels by around 2029. Machines are becoming more
intelligent and capable each day in performing tasks that need narrow as well
as broad intelligence.
Traditionally machines were envisaged to automate tasks that
involved a great deal of repetition or standardized, hazardous tasks with great
quality and less management overheads to deliver better outcomes. Machines
today can manage information, connect with vast data sources, analyze and pull
out the right information/ insights with minimum human intervention. Software
can learn and intelligently interpolate and extrapolate data. More importantly,
it can learn and adapt.
A report released by Business
Insider states that by the year 2020, about 34 billion devices will be
connected to the internet with apps and software that will collect data from
customers like geo location, search history, browsing habits etc. but all in
un-intrusive ways, thus, eliminating the burden of data capture that creates
privacy concerns. Big industry players like Google, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft,
Amazon, IBM, etc., are paving the way by embracing advanced technologies like
AI, ML as well as their Digital Assistants such as Siri, Cortana, Alexa,
etc. With the involvement of intelligent systems like robots in the
workplace, businesses will soon witness a multi-faceted shift. Manual warehouse
has always demands a massive investment in workforce, the most of the warehouse
labor cost gets exhausted in ‘Picking’. Here, the automation comes into the
game. The new warehouse operation advancements are linked to an integration of
software solutions that drive the use of inventory optimization tools, and
robotics. Amazon recently launched the first ‘self-driving’ grocery store,
Amazon Go with no checkout lines, in Seattle in early 2017.
Walmart, is experimenting with robot
shopping carts. Walmart also said it was testing whether drones could help
check the inventory in its stores. And Elon Musk is teaching robots new tricks
through Virtual Reality lessons! Workforce will take over 30 percent of jobs by
2025. Consequently, some jobs will be lost, while some new jobs will be
created. Kev Cooke, Managing Editor D/SRUPTION said that Successful new
technology often develops, displaces, disrupts or destroys a previous
technology or mode of being, but with each new technology, the horizon of
possibility retreats further, offering us new opportunities, new
collaborations, recombinations of old ideas and new ways of being and working.
Artificial Intelligence, Robots and Automation will offer new opportunities for
human endeavour and new markets will follow.
-
Dr. Godwin Anand P S
*The author is an expert in the area of Automation. He is currently associated with Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam as Professor & HoD of Interdisciplinary Engineering. He is currently an approved PhD guide in Kerala Technological University.
Profile: http://saintgits.org/engineering-college/department/faculty-list?faculty_id=238
#Article on Automation #Saintgits College of Engineering #Robotics #Artificial Intelligence
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