Artificial intelligence, also popularly known as AI, is currently one of the fastest-growing fields of new technology that already affects almost every aspect of our lives.

The popularization of tools using machine learning, neural processors, as well as large language models (LLM), an ideal example of which is ChatGPT introduced by OpenAI and its derivatives, are also revolutionizing the perception of today’s business.

It is worth emphasizing that the revolution related to artificial intelligence, which has been going on for several years, had its origins in the 1950s, when Alan Turing proposed the Turing test – a method for assessing machine intelligence. Over recent years, scientists and engineers from the new technologies industry have been looking for ways to practically use artificial intelligence, which has become possible in the 21st century due to a significant increase in the computing power of electronic devices and the development of machine learning and neuronal networks.

What are the main benefits of using AI tools in business?

Implementing AI support tools tailored to the needs of a given business can bring numerous benefits, including improving operational efficiency, increasing revenues, and leading to a better understanding of customers, which can translate into offering better products and services.

How can AI tools increase operational efficiency in business?

Artificial intelligence-based tools can revolutionize business processes and management, which translates into increased operational efficiency. Most often, this is possible by automating processes, optimizing management, better data analysis and improving customer service.

Implementing AI allows:

• Automate business processes (eliminate tedious and repetitive activities and tasks while reducing errors);

• Optimize management (e.g. forecast demand for products/services in order to better supply the warehouse or optimize delivery routes reducing logistics costs);

• Assist in data analysis (identify trends, optimize prices, detect patterns, identify anomalies);

• Support decision-making (e.g. by providing accurate data for financial risk analysis in the financial sector);

• Personalize products and services (adapt products and offers to customer needs based on data obtained from other systems and predictions of future behavior and market trends);

• Support customer service (e.g. through 24/7 support using chatbots or personalization of interactions);

Through automation, optimization and advanced data analysis, AI can significantly increase operational efficiency while improving the quality of customer service and enabling better resource management. However, attention should be paid to the implementation strategy, appropriate staff training and monitoring of results. These activities are necessary to effectively implement the use of AI tools in business.

How do AI tools improve customer service in business?

A high level of customer service is currently a key issue in a modern business. Tools supported by artificial intelligence allow you to significantly increase the quality of customer service while relieving the organization’s employees in this time-consuming task.

Implementing AI in customer service can significantly improve customer experiences by offering faster, more personalized and effective support. Thanks to process automation, data analysis and advanced technologies such as natural language processing and speech recognition, businesses can better understand and meet the needs of their customers.

Properly implemented AI tools for customer service allow:

• Provide 24/7 support through customer service automation;

• Reduce response times to popular questions; 

• Personalize interaction with customers;

• Analyze social media to research customer satisfaction and product opinions;

• Automate the process of handling service requests;

• Optimize the path to the most important information through UI and UX analysis;

It is worth noting that the selection of appropriate AI tools depends on the specific needs of the business. Not all AI technologies are suitable for every industry, so it is worth carefully analyzing which AI tools are best suited to your specific situation.

What are the best practices for implementing AI tools in business?

Artificial intelligence tools integrate strongly with the processes in the organization and influence its functioning. This is one of the reasons why the implementation of AI/SI tools in an organization is a process of strategic importance that affects virtually every aspect of business functioning.

The best practices for implementing AI tools assume that the implementation is carried out together with a careful planning process and in accordance with a previously prepared strategy.

What steps should be taken to effectively implement AI tools in business?

To achieve maximum benefits while minimizing potential problems, consider the following steps:

• Understanding business needs and goals

The key is to answer the question “what business problems should AI solve?” Specific goals and success indicators (KPIs) should be established to measure the effectiveness of AI implementation.

• Choosing the right tools

There are many AI tools available on the market that meet specific business needs. It is worth considering ready-made SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions that are cost-optimal.

• Data preparation

AI tools work on data. They should be given access to appropriate data sets. Sometimes it is necessary to clean, normalize or transform them before introducing them into AI tools.

• Taking care of cybersecurity issues and data processing by AI

Data are related to issues related to their processing and cyber security. It is important to ensure that AI implementation complies with applicable legal provisions, including data protection and privacy regulations.

• Testing and implementation of tools

It is worth starting the implementation of artificial intelligence with a small pilot project to test AI tools and assess their effectiveness in real conditions.

• Ensuring compliance with regulations

It is important to ensure that AI implementation complies with applicable legal provisions, including data protection and privacy regulations.

• Staff training

The introduction of AI tools requires staff training. Make sure employees understand how to use new tools and how they can benefit them.

• Monitoring and optimization

After implementation, it is worth regularly monitoring the results and adapting the strategy for using artificial intelligence in business. AI is extremely dynamic, so it is worth adapting your actions on an ongoing basis.

What are the challenges when implementing AI tools in business?

Implementing AI in business can bring significant benefits, but it also presents many challenges that companies must overcome to realize AI’s full potential.

The most common challenges related to the implementation of artificial intelligence in business include:

• Lack of data of adequate quality and volume;
• High technological complexity;
• Integration with existing IT systems;
• Problem with clearly defining business goals for AI tools;
• Concerns about meeting requirements related to cybersecurity and data processing (GDPR);
• Employee resistance to changes related to the use of artificial intelligence tools;
• Privacy concerns.

Companies must face challenges related to data availability, technological complexity, costs, changing organizational culture, ethics, regulatory compliance, expectation management, security and scalability. However, overcoming these challenges in the difficult stage of implementing AI tools will ultimately lead to significant benefits such as increased efficiency, better customer service and product innovation.

What industries most often use AI tools in business?

Artificial intelligence is used in many business industries, contributing to increased efficiency and innovation. Its implementation is most often decided by organizations closely related to new technologies, which are not afraid of innovation and changes in the way business operates.

Below we present the industries that most often use artificial intelligence-based tools in their operational activities:

• Finance and banking
• Healthcare
• eCommerce
• Production and logistics
• Marketing and advertising
• Education
• Telecommunication
• IT sector
• Pharmaceutical industry

How does the financial sector use AI tools in business?

In the financial sector, the use of AI tools can be divided into the retail/corporate banking and insurance subsectors, but the entire financial sector uses AI tools in its operational activities.

In the banking sector, AI tools are used for risk management – they allow for effective and quick analysis of credit risk and detection of financial fraud by analyzing patterns and behavior.

AI tools are also widely used to provide customer service support. Banks are very keen to use virtual assistants and chatbots.

In the insurance sector, AI tools assess claims – they help analyze insurance reports and initially estimate the value of damages based on available data. They are also used in predictive analysis, which helps predict insurance risk. These activities enable more precise pricing of insurance policies.

How are AI tools used in the health sector in business?

AI tools in the health sector play a key role in improving diagnosis, treatment, patient data management and administrative operations.

Artificial intelligence has been revolutionizing the health sector for years, also influencing its business aspect. Thanks to AI tools, the health sector has significantly increased its innovation, profitability and competitiveness.

AI tools are used for:

• Medical data analysis;
• Disease diagnosis;
• Personalization of medical offers based on health status;
• Electronic patient history management;
• Optimizing the use of resources;
• Forecasting demand for given services;
• Forecasting prices of medical services;
• Conducting research and development on new therapies and medicines;
• Providing effective patient service.

FAQs: 

What are some examples of AI tools used in business?

Below is a list of the most popular AI tools divided into categories.

Business intelligence and data analytics:

• Tableau
• PowerBI
• IBM Watson Analytics
• Google Analytics

CRM (customer relationship management):

• Salesforce
• HubSpot
• Monday
• Microsoft Dynamics 365

Marketing:

• Google Marketing Platform
• Adobe Sensei
• Jasper A.I
• Compose AI
• Beautiful.ai
• BetterFeedback

Customer service:

• Zendesk Answer Bot
• Intercom
• ChatGPT
• Grammarly
• Ada CX
• ZenCall

Healthcare:

• IBM Watson Health
• PathAI

Finances:

• Kensho
• Lemonade
• Datarails FP&A Genius
• Aladdin by BlackRock
• FICO Falcon

How to measure the effectiveness of AI tools in business?

Measuring the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in business is possible by using several key indicators that vary depending on the business goal. The most popular KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) regarding the effectiveness of AI tools in business include:

• Response time;
• User opinions regarding the quality of customer service;
• Number of errors;
• Process efficiency;
• Conversion rates;
• Operational performance metrics;
• Feedback from users.