Beata Drzazga – co-organizer of technology conferences in Silicon Valley, Polish visionary and entrepreneur – talks about how Small Medium Enterprises in Poland are implementing Artificial Intelligence into their operating systems.
What benefits do you see in the application of Artificial Intelligence in SME business and are these small companies in particular implementing its solutions?
I spend a lot of time in the U.S., where Artificial Intelligence is used today regardless of the size of companies, because there it is obvious that it brings a lot of benefits in every industry and in every company. No longer only corporations or multi-person companies are implementing it, but also more and more medium-sized and even small businesses. This trend is also observed in Poland. Entrepreneurs are seeing AI enable the automation of many routine tasks, increasing productivity and allowing employees to focus on more creative tasks. With AI, companies can deliver personalized content and services, increasing their customers’ engagement and loyalty. The simplest example of this is the use of chatbots for customer service. Small businesses can deploy chatbots on their website or social media, allowing them to respond quickly to customer inquiries and service even at night. This not only increases efficiency, but also improves the quality of customer service, in addition to minimizing the cost of employing people 24/7. Optimizing manufacturing processes is one of the many applications of artificial intelligence in the manufacturing sector. With AI, companies can increase efficiency and reduce production costs. AI can help with demand forecasting, production optimization and inventory management, and improve quality control through data analysis.AI can also help with excellent data analysis, which translates into, for example, a better understanding of customers and the market. Also, the health market is becoming more accessible and friendly precisely thanks to the automation processes of Artificial Intelligence, although here there are areas that the most technologically innovative AI will not replace, for example, the work of an empathetic nurse.
What challenges do you see in implementing AI in SMEs? What are the main risks?
As in all things new, there are challenges. Above all, implementation costs can be significant, too prohibitive for SMEs. In addition, lack of knowledge and access to adequate human resources can be a problem. Managers realize that they must also take care to secure the data that AI collects and analyzes. There is always a risk of breaching customer privacy and data leakage, which can lead to loss of trust and legal consequences One also sees concern about the risk of becoming dependent on technology. Which, at the time of failure or technical problems, can be problematic. AI and market competition present further challenges – AI competition continues to grow, and larger companies may have an advantage in accessing advanced technologies. My advice to SMEs is to carefully consider if and how the benefits outweigh the risks. Adapting strategies for using Artificial Intelligence to your capabilities and needs. It’s also worth investing in employee training to make better use of technology. As AI evolves, small and medium-sized businesses that can use it well – intelligently – can gain an edge in the market and succeed.
Source: businessman.pl