Can You Keep up With the AI Takeover?

by Mary C Long

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a far-off, science fiction concept. In ways most of us already take for granted (Siri, Alexa, etc.), AI is changing the way we live and do business – which means you have some prepping to do.
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AI is essentially altering the entire business world, as well as our personal lives. Learn how to prepare yourself for further developments.

Where automation and machine learning converge
Okay, the robots aren't quite rising up, so don't panic. The machines are learning, however, offering a glimpse of the future to come. For now, the focus seems to be on voice activation – and devices that do more than simply search on command.

Both Amazon Echo and Google Home can pull from thousands of "skills" to extend their offerings beyond search – from helping decide when it's time to see a doctor, to managing financial and household tasks, playing games and more.

Deep Learning Analyst Karl Freund believes "This is just the beginnig and that such devices and software will rapidly augment, but not replace, the touchscreen and keyboard to find information, conduct simple tasks and control customizable appliances."

But it will hardly stop there. The Holy Grail of AI is where machine learning (ML) and automation meet – and it's not that big a stretch.

Think of the 45K robots in Amazon's warehouses. Down the road, could they be entirely self-sufficient in fulfilling orders? Absolutely. It's simply a matter of design and programming. Check out Boston Dynamics' Atlas Robot to get a sense of where things are headed. Imagine talking to an Alexa that looks like that. Or this.  

It's no wonder Fortune claims 2017 will be "the year of AI" – even if autonomous walking, talking humanoids are still a ways off.  

What this means for all industries and verticals
If you think AI has nothing to do with you, think again. Just as the words "There's an app for that!" changed everything, the combined power of the Internet of Things, AI and ML will, too. You have to be thinking ahead to how your business or brand will leverage these technologies; and it will take technology like idea management software to keep things organized.

This shouldn't come as a surprise when you consider how much we rely on software and technology to do everything for us, both on a personal and business front. When is the last time you had to memorize a phone number? Why would you?

Technology and software are constant tools – from task management programs, to budgeting and payroll programs, to social analytics platforms. These tools are critical to our ability to keep up in a rapidly-changing world, and idea management is no less crucial.

This is about more than not losing track of your million dollar ideas – this is about massaging and shaping them, tracking incremental progress and adjusting as you go. Just as you can't afford to be disrupted by a competitor beating you to the marketplace with the same idea, you can't afford wasting time on ideas that won't pan out or no longer make sense.

Idea management software keeps you focused, organized and on budget – while also allowing key stakeholders, or even your entire organization, to participate in the innovation process.

This is the next step for businesses committed to embracing the coming tech-driven future. We're not all driving around in self-driving cars yet – but there's no doubt the day will come. What other life-changing invention will the future bring? Maybe it will be an idea conceived by your company. Be sure it can't fall through the cracks.
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This post originated from business.com.