Artificial intelligence innovation may be coming to your workplace sooner than you think

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has always carried a negative connotation in some circles. From dystopian science-fiction stories about robot takeovers to more realistic concerns about the way it can replace jobs previously held by people, AI has become a bit of a bogeyman for some. But can it improve the way you work? According to the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, public perception of AI in the workplace is quickly changing, just as new innovations may be making the workplace more efficient and happier.

Training tomorrow's workforce
One of the main ways that AI is being used to great effect already is training and retraining workers. According to the World Economic Forum, AI algorithms can be used to personalize training programs for workers, using tools like skills assessments and machine learning to analyze data. AI-based programs can also help match workers to new jobs and figure what re-skilling is needed for them to be successful.

These innovations are already finding their way into workplaces across the world. In New Delhi, India, the tech company ConveGenius is using AI to teach students without access to quality education. The company is hoping to reach 100 million students. For best results, the WEF recommends trying to implement new AI as a part of everyday activity, so that the technology can collect more data and workers can get used to the technology.

Additionally, while AI and other forms of automation in some sectors may certainly rob people of jobs, it may increase worker happiness for others. According to Stanford University, cities that saw an increase in AI job postings had workers who described the "physical, social, and financial components" of their work experience favorably. The study suggests the implementation of AI may be responsible for the positive response.

Among the ways that AI can make the workplace a more positive experience, Forbes, in their review of the Stanford study, points to increased safety, happiness and efficiency. In particular, AI innovation may make "repetitive and dangerous tasks" unnecessary for workers to carry out, keeping work more interesting and accident rates lower.  

A Source of Growth
The AI industry itself may also be a job boon for some areas. According to Forbes, AI innovation is expected to generate 97 million new jobs worldwide. Proponents of the new technology suggest that the job training benefits of AI can be used to mitigate any job losses that it causes. The World Economic Forum's report on AI job training suggests as much.

"Instead of worrying about job displacement, we should get to work creating the new, high-quality jobs of tomorrow while massively expanding our upskilling and reskilling efforts to transition displaced workers into these new opportunities… This is where AI can help solve some of the very problems it helped create," the report reads.

Whichever side you come down on in the AI debate, one thing is clear. The technology is not going anywhere anytime soon. Get ready for the future with equipment from Perle Systems. To learn more about what Perle can do for you, read some of our customers' success stories.