Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the power to reduce overhead, amplify worker productivity, and make business procedures more efficient. However, an AI system should not be viewed as a one-and-done investment, but rather as an ongoing process that continues to improve as it goes along.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) transforms companies through the automation of highly regimented business tasks and the amplification of human workers’ productivity. This potent combination has the power to generate massive ROI. However, an AI system should not be viewed as a simple one-and-done investment. Like any major software implementation, AI systems require regular upkeep. Here are three ways to keep your AI implementation running smoothly in the long term.
Create a Cognitive Center of Excellence
In order to identify and rapidly address issues, companies should establish an internal Cognitive Center of Excellence (CCoE). A CCoE is a group of employees dedicated to maintaining a company’s AI system, refining its existing processes and building new features. The core of these teams will be engineers, but many CCoEs tap the expertise of linguists, data scientists, and UX designers as well. (You can read more here about establishing a CCoE as described by Allan Anderson, IPsoft’s Director of Enterprise Solutions.)
Like any major software implementation, AI systems require regular upkeep.
A robust internal CCoE provides companies with a focal point of control over their AI systems, and a group that can work, if necessary, with third-party vendors such as IPsoft. A CCoE also provides the best means to quickly address problems as they arise, e.g. overcoming issues discovered post-deployment, accommodating new C-Suite directives or compliance with new government regulation.
Open Clear Lines of Communication with Non-Tech Employees
The first step toward overcoming problems is identifying them. This is why companies should lean on the insights of the “on-the-ground” workers using these AI systems every day. Companies can benefit by creating clear lines of communications between the CCoE and these employees. This may come in the form of a designated forum within a collaboration app (e.g. a specified area in Slack, Trello, Asana or whatever system a company/team uses) or more low-tech avenues such as a web form, email or face-to-face meetings. This communication will be most valuable in the immediate aftermath of a major deployment.
Add Pre-Tested Features
An agile AI is the most useful AI. The good news is that it’s easier than ever to add new features and abilities to an advanced cognitive agent like Amelia. At this year’s Digital Workforce Summit, IPsoft unveiled its new Amelia Marketplace which allows companies to explore new Amelia features and abilities. With the new Marketplace, companies can access new industry-specific roles for their Amelia and launch their company’s AI journey, or current Amelia customers can leverage her for additional services.
While AI systems have the power to drastically reduce overhead, they still require ongoing upkeep. These new investments in resources are dwarfed by the potential for savings, but should be factored in by decision makers as the company moves forward with an implementation.
