Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology created to simulate human intelligence that is becoming a big part of the business world. AI technology improves how we work, gather information, and analyze data. It transforms workflows, business practices, and industries, making everything faster and more efficient. 

In March 2024, a survey of 250 tech leaders by EY showed that 82% of them plan to invest more in AI over the next year. About 64% said their companies have set up training programs to help employees stay updated with the fast changes in generative AI. Also, 76% mentioned that they offer certification programs for their employees to learn about AI. 

Even though the respondents expressed certain worries about the difficulty of hiring AI experts and the need for more AI regulations, they were mostly positive about AI’s role in their businesses. In fact, 72% said their employees use AI at least once a day at work, mainly for coding and software development, analyzing data, and improving communication inside and outside the company. 

In this article, we will look at the main applications of AI for companies, as well as not so obvious ones. We will talk about the advantages of AI for companies and their business processes and the challenges that companies may face. 

How does AI technology work? 

Instead of just following a set of instructions, AI systems can analyze information, recognize patterns, and even make decisions based on what they’ve learned. AI technology works through a few steps.  

First, it collects data from different sources (e.g. text, audio, video, etc.), and sorts it into categories, deciding which data can be used. Then, the AI processes the data by recognizing patterns it has learned before. It looks for these patterns in the new data to make sense of it.  

After processing, the AI predicts outcomes, like customer behavior or trends, based on the patterns it identified. If the AI’s predictions don’t match up (a “fail”), it learns from the mistake, and the algorithm is adjusted to better understand that type of data in the future.  

Finally, the AI assesses what it has learned and uses this feedback to improve its predictions, making the algorithm more accurate for the next round. 

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Software Aspekte provides companies with a full cycle of AI-related services, from AI consulting to AI solutions development and implementation. Our team analyzes the company’s processes, identifies where AI can create added value, and develops customized AI solutions that achieve the company’s goals.  
 
Software Aspekte can help create a strategy for integrating AI into your business, including choosing the right technology, planning implementation, organizing maintenance, and training staff. We work with different AI models, including Azure AI, OpenAI, Alef Alfa, Google Bard, and more, tailored specifically to a company’s needs and preferences.

AI use cases for business 

Let’s look at the examples of the application of AI technology in various business processes. We will have a look at the use of AI for companies that have already become common business practices and not so obvious ones that can strengthen your competitiveness.   

Routine task automation  

Every day, we all face various routine tasks at work. By making routine processes optimization through AI, you allow employees to focus on more strategic and creative tasks. Thus, this technology increases the overall operational efficiency of the organization. Let’s look at some use cases: 

• Filling out documents. AI systems take data from CRM systems and documentation within the company, analyze it and automatically fill out the necessary documents, forms or tables. 

• Writing and sending letters. AI, using templates and data about clients, for example, can write personalized emails and send them at the appointed time. 

• Predictive equipment maintenance. AI analyzes data on the operation of equipment and predicts possible failures or the need for maintenance, which allows companies to carry out repairs in advance and avoid downtime.  

One of the most prominent examples of a company that uses AI to optimize its processes is IBM. The company uses Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to automate repetitive tasks such as data entry, customer support, and transaction processing. 

Workforce optimization 

AI can be a great tool for workforce management, offering companies smart solutions to improve efficiency and productivity. Let’s look at a few of the use cases: 

• Management of schedule. AI automatically creates optimal work schedules by analyzing employee availability, skills, preferences, and legal requirements, which helps minimize conflicts and ensure an even distribution of workload. 

• Project planning. AI analyzes data on current projects, resources, and available employees to create the most effective work plan, including setting priorities and determining optimal deadlines for completing tasks. 

• Predictive workforce planning. AI forecasts staffing needs by analyzing historical data and current trends. This allows the company to hire or reallocate employees in advance to avoid understaffing or overstaffing. 

• Employee performance analysis. AI collects and analyzes employee performance data, identifying patterns and offering recommendations for improvement. This helps managers make informed decisions about resource allocation and employee support. 

For example, DHL has implemented AI to predict workload and optimize staff deployment in their warehouses. According to PeopleMatters, this resulted in improved efficiency and reduced operational costs. 

Reporting 

AI can process large volumes of data, create accurate reports in real time, and offer valuable analytical insights. This allows businesses to make decisions faster, improve resource management, and increase process efficiency. Here are some use cases: 

• Automatic sales reporting. AI automatically collects sales data from CRM and other systems, analyzes key metrics, and generates reports with graphs and visualizations. This helps managers instantly see results and respond to changes. 

• Creating reports on the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. AI collects data from various marketing channels, analyzes conversions and audience behavior, and generates detailed reports on campaign results. This helps marketing teams evaluate ROI and adjust strategies in real time. 

• Analysis and forecasting of financial indicators. AI analyzes the company’s financial data, identifies trends and anomalies, and predicts future results based on historical data. This allows finance departments to quickly plan budgets and minimize risks. 

AI can not only create reports but also send them at the appointed time. For example, in the Compliance Aspekte GRC tool, there is an AI Copilot that can not only collect the necessary information and make reports but also send them to employees exactly when they need this report (for example, an hour before a meeting). 

Logistics optimization 

AI can improve accuracy and efficiency in supply chain management, improving processes and reducing costs at all levels of logistics. Let’s look at some examples of how AI in companies can be used: 

• Demand forecasting and inventory management. AI analyzes historical sales data, seasonal fluctuations, and external factors (such as weather conditions or economic indicators) to predict future demand for products. This allows companies to plan purchasing and inventory management accurately, reducing storage costs and minimizing the risk of product shortages. 

• Delivery route optimization. AI analyzes road conditions, weather forecasts, traffic congestion, real-time vehicle status, road accessibility for trucks, road costs, and many other factors to find the fastest and most efficient delivery routes. 

• Production planning and resource management. AI uses demand data, raw material availability, and production capacity to optimize production scheduling and resource allocation. 

• Supplier selection optimization. AI analyzes supplier performance and reliability data, comparing them based on metrics such as cost, delivery time, and product quality. This helps companies choose the most reliable and profitable partners, improving the quality and timeliness of deliveries. 

For example, Amazon utilizes AI to optimize its supply chain processes, enhancing everything from warehouse operations to last-mile delivery. This leads to quicker delivery times and lower operational expenses. 

HR optimization 

AI can improve the efficiency of HR processes by automating routine tasks and offering personalized solutions that improve employee engagement and satisfaction. Here are some examples of how AI can help here: 

• Chatbots for employee support. AI chatbots collect information from all company documents and can answer employee questions on a wide range of topics, from company policies to the status of vacation requests. This frees HR specialists from routine tasks and speeds up the employees’ receipt of the necessary information. 

• Automated candidate selection. AI analyzes resumes and candidate profiles on platforms like LinkedIn to automatically identify suitable candidates for open positions. It can also conduct an initial screening, assessing skills and experience, which speeds up the hiring process and improves the quality of the selection. 

• Personalized training and development plans. AI analyzes the current skills and performance of employees to create customized training plans. This helps develop key competencies necessary for career growth and increases employee motivation. 

Software Aspekte can help you optimize your HR processes with custom AI solutions tailored to your specific needs. Reach out today to discuss how we can enhance your HR efficiency!

IT tasks optimization 

AI can significantly improve the efficiency of IT processes by automating routine tasks, improving resource monitoring and management, and enhancing security.  

• Coding automation. AI can assist developers with code completion, next-line prediction, and real-time error correction. This speeds up the development process and helps avoid errors, increasing team productivity.  

• Quality assurance optimization. AI analyzes code and automatically generates test cases, identifying potential vulnerabilities and errors before the code goes into production. This helps speed up the testing process, improve software quality, and reduce bugs.  

• Optimize IT operations using AI Ops. AI monitors the health of servers, networks, and applications, predicting potential failures and anomalies before they occur. It can automatically apply fixes and optimize resources to minimize downtime and increase system availability.  

• Security threat detection. AI analyzes network traffic data, activity logs, and user behavior to identify potential cyberattacks and security breaches. It can automatically respond to threats by applying protective measures and notifying IT professionals of suspicious activity. 

The use of AI for companies of different sizes  

The use of AI is becoming an integral part of the development of both large and medium-sized and small companies. AI for large companies helps automate business processes, improve customer service and analyze large amounts of data, which contributes to optimization and efficiency at all levels.  

AI for medium-sized companies supports their growth and adaptation to changing market conditions by offering tools for marketing automation, logistics management and demand forecasting.  

Even small companies can benefit from AI by using it to increase productivity, improve communications and automate daily tasks, allowing them to focus on strategic development and business expansion. 

Benefits of using AI in business 

Competent implementation of artificial intelligence in the operational activities of the enterprise provides it with many advantages. Among the most significant advantages of artificial intelligence can be named: 

Productivity improvement 

AI allows you to automate routine tasks, which increases the productivity of employees and allows you to focus on strategic initiatives. It also contributes to a more efficient use of resources and time. 

Cost reduction 

The AI implementation helps reduce the costs of manual work, reduce errors, and increase the efficiency of business processes. The use of AI for small companies allows them to optimize their costs and increase profitability. 

Improved decision-making 

AI analyzes large volumes of data and provides insights that help managers with data-driven decision-making. This includes forecasting market trends, analyzing customer behavior and assessing risks. 

Better understanding of customers 

The use of AI in companies allows businesses to better understand the needs and preferences of their customers. Using data analytics, businesses can create personalized offers, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Challenges and ethical considerations for implementing AI in business 

Introducing AI into business brings up serious questions about ethics, privacy, and security. It’s important to have regulations that address how AI handles data, ensuring privacy and protection. This includes setting clear rules on how data is collected, used, and stored, and making sure there are limits and accountability in place. 

AI systems also need human supervision to check their outputs and understand how they are made, so they don’t end up repeating or worsening existing biases. For instance, a study by Carnegie Mellon University found that Google’s ad algorithm showed high-paying job ads to men more often than women, reinforcing gender bias. 

The use of AI in companies has the potential to fill skill gaps, giving workers abilities like coding, translating, and writing. However, it can also create new skill gaps. Since AI is constantly evolving, it can be hard for both employees and businesses to stay updated and learn how to use AI tools effectively. In a 2023 survey by Microsoft, only 10% of small businesses with up to 24 employees said they knew how to use AI for their tasks, while 67% admitted they had little to no understanding of AI. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, AI has become a powerful tool that can transform the way businesses operate. It offers countless benefits, from automating tasks to improving customer experiences, but it also comes with challenges. As AI continues to grow and change, it’s important for businesses to stay adaptable and invest in learning and development. By embracing AI thoughtfully and responsibly, businesses can unlock its full potential and stay ahead in a competitive world. 

If you are planning to implement AI technology in your business, Software Aspekte can help you. We provide a comprehensive range of AI-related services and can support you on each step of the AI development process. If you would like to learn more, contact us today.