Artificial intelligence (AI) may sound like something from a sci-fi movie, but chances are you have already interacted with it.

If you have ever flown in a plane that uses an automatic pilot feature, use a pacemaker to control your heart rhythm, or talked to Siri on your phone, then you have used AI.

Although it might seem like AI systems make their own decisions based on context and information gathered from user input, the truth is they always act according to their programming rules. But, over the years, instead of just programming rules, humans changed the programming to try to teach the computer to imitate how humans think and learn from the data they receive.

Many companies already use AI and many more plan to employ it in the near future. As the technology becomes more common, you may want to consider adding it to your business plan.

The most prevalent uses of AI include:

• Machine Learning (Knowledge Engineering) - Software applications that analyze large amounts of data and learn to become increasingly accurate in predicting outcomes. Those online recommendations that show up in your feed after you use Amazon or Netflix are an example of machine learning that we see all the time. Fraud detection might arguably be the most important use of machine learning in everyday business.
• Chatbots - Computer programs that respond to texts or chat messages and seem to have a conversation with people. When built using AI, chatbots are more flexible with the input they accept, and they get better the more they are used. Many online customer service chat sites use chatbots to answer questions, and marketing campaigns that ask questions or let you play a game often use the same.
• Mobile Messaging - Applications that apply AI programming to mobile device communication between people and computers. If you have ever used Snapchat, Slack or Facebook Messenger, you have been exposed to this type of AI technology.

The experts at TeamLogic IT can help you integrate AI into your business model.

In the next few years, you may want to integrate AI technologies in the following ways:

The Internet of Things

Many businesses use AI technology to create a network of connected devices. The Internet of Things (IoT) makes it effortless for everyday business machines to send more and more data to business systems. Business users need help to keep up with processing and analyzing all the information. AI technology can improve the speed and accuracy of data analyses, as well as enhance the organization and compacting of it into manageable chunks.
 

Cybersecurity

Using AI and machine learning within your IT infrastructure can augment firewalls and routers and increase your cybersecurity measures (such as intrusion detection) to previously almost-unimaginable levels. While machine learning can monitor the environment to identify problems and take action against predefined scenarios, AI can parse a large amount of data and recognize patterns and inconsistencies to detect threats early.

Virtual Assistants

Although you may not be familiar with the term “virtual assistant,” you probably are aware of them, thanks to Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri. Virtual assistants can increase productivity in the workplace by sharing information and supporting standardized business procedures. New virtual assistants are in development that will automate all sorts of business tasks for us.

Whatever form of AI that you want to incorporate into your business, the support of an IT Managed Services Provider (MSP) experienced with this emerging technology can help with your everyday operations. Don’t be intimidated by the idea of robotic automation; use it to make your common business practices easier.

Since 2007, TeamLogic IT has become the 36th largest IT service provider globally. Our success is driven through one core mission - to leverage technology for our customers.Thousands of businesses across the US - just like yours here in Wilmington, NC - are taking advantage of our ability to deliver highly available, secure and flexible IT systems. At TeamLogic IT, our philosophy is simple - we work with you the way we'd want someone to work with us. Visit us today in the Port City at 2901 North Kerr Ave., 910-500-1392. If email works best for you, contact me personally at [email protected].