AI - Reshaping the Workplace

 

Much like the evolution of systems design, IT-enabled process change ebbs and flows over time. We see this in history as each technology revolution brings with it a refactoring of business operations.

With the rise of client/server computing in the 1980s, and the introduction of database servers and visual development tools like PowerBuilder, “business process re-engineering” became all the craze during the 1990s.

By 1993, 60 percent of the Fortune 500 developed IT systems to automate mundane tasks like insurance claims processing or AP invoice/purchase order reconciliation, channeling the mandate of technology-led business transformation in Michael Hammer’s infamous 1990 HBR article, “Don’t Automate, Obliterate.”

Twenty-odd years later, we’re about to see another “flow” of transformation thanks to resurgent interest in artificial intelligence and the emergence of the AI-powered business application. What’s different this time around is the transformation will be driven bottom up by rank-and-file employees, making it potentially more disruptive than any “flow” of process change that came before. What are AI-powered apps, and what do they have to do with business process re-engineering?

AI-powered apps are software capable of performing higher-order tasks associated with the work of educated office workers. With narrowly focused “brains” optimized to perform a particular task within a narrow domain, AI-powered apps can schedule your business meetings, answer common customer requests and notify you that your connecting flight is delayed by 20 minutes when you thought you had 5 minutes to sprint to the gate.

Outside the purview of IT, employees, teams and entire departments will champion process re-engineering efforts with AI-powered apps, whether they realize it or not. As each individual app eliminates a “task,” the employees who assemble their own “stack” of AI-powered apps will automate many of the mundane parts of their jobs. Teammates eager to be productive and stay competitive will fast follow, as will department managers who want to demonstrate techno-prowess and cost-cutting efforts to higher-ups.

In my own experience, x.ai’s “Amy,” the AI for scheduling business meetings, is totally addictive. You simply cc her on an email thread and she goes to work engaging with the recipient to find a date and optimal place to meet. I use it everyday, and couldn’t imagine my workday without her. It’s still in beta, but the other testers I speak with call it the closest thing to “magic” they’ve seen in years. Sell it for $5/month? $10/month? Either way, if Dropbox had a meteoric rise within organizations, just wait till x.ai releases publicly and busy execs, consultants and sales people purchase and expense access to “Amy.”
Amy may be the “a-ha” breakthrough application of the moment, but the formula will hold for AI-powered apps in other domains. 

We define AI-powered business applications as software in which the user experience is driven by AI. Today, that takes the form of voice (Apple Siri), text-based interfaces (x.ai’s Amy) or intelligent notifications (Google Now). Other examples of AI-driven UX like Google Search’s auto fill differ in that they do not automate a step within a workflow. Excluded are new-school applications for fraud management, data science or security analytics that leverage AI solely for back-end ops and/or require technical/IT admin chops to operate. We include developer services because they will enable the next wave of AI-powered business apps. In the chart, we’ve included current as well as soon-to-be entrants according to our understanding of those companies’ product roadmaps. This landscape is intended to serve as a complement to Shivon Zilis’s birds-eye view of AI startups. We welcome you to critique it in the comments sections of this post.

New Categories Will Emerge Over The Next Couple Of Years. In our initial sweep of the startup landscape, we’ve identified 10 app categories getting the AI treatment. This is just the tipping point. Startup activity will accelerate rapidly over the next two years as entrepreneurs identify new business processes to automate. Kevin Kelly of Wired states it with spirit: “The business plans of the next 10,000 startups are easy to forecast: Take X and add AI.” Expect AI-powered business applications to spring up across enterprise software categories that touch the end user.

In consequence, time-on-screen shrinks and software is capable of just working in the background. “Invisible software” is the highest realization of the AI-powered app, likely to distinguish winners from losers within each category segment. It will also be the most disruptive because it automates a job rather than just a task.

As startups flock into this space, and major software companies start placing bets, the effects will ripple across organizations. One breakthrough application at a time, human capital will start to shift from mundane tasks and transactions to higher-order, creative work. Along the way, we’ll see massive businesses built where software replaces or reshapes specific job functions. We’ll also see duds and false promises. I’m keeping a keen eye on carefully executed “invisible software” as the guiding light.
Techcrunch: http://tcrn.ch/1Vm7VXx

« Russian Scientists Create Cockroach Robo-Spy
DARPA - Tech to Protect the Internet of Things »

ManageEngine
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

Tines

Tines

The Tines security automation platform helps security teams automate manual tasks, making them more effective and efficient.

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

TÜV SÜD Academy UK

TÜV SÜD Academy UK

TÜV SÜD offers expert-led cybersecurity training to help organisations safeguard their operations and data.

AlgoSec

AlgoSec

The AlgoSec platform enables the world’s most complex organizations to gain visibility, reduce risk and process changes at zero-touch across the hybrid network.

FlashRouters

FlashRouters

FlashRouters offers DD-WRT compatible router models with improved performance, privacy/security options, and advanced functionality.

Talend

Talend

Talend is a leader in cloud and big data integration software. Applications include Risk and Compliance management.

LexisNexis Risk Solutions

LexisNexis Risk Solutions

LexisNexis Risk Solutions provides technology solutions for Anti-Money Laundering, Fraud Mitigation, Anti-Bribery and Corruption, Identity Management, Tracing and Investigation.

Yubico

Yubico

Yubico sets new global standards for simple and secure access to computers, mobile devices, servers, and internet accounts.

MKD-CIRT

MKD-CIRT

MKD-CIRT is the national Computer Incident Response Team for Macedonia.

OmniNet

OmniNet

OmniNet delivers the next generation of cybersecurity and is the only provider in the market to move the edge of small businesses to a virtual, omnipresent perimeter.

Prescient

Prescient

Prescient’s Cyber solutions supplement your firm’s existing data security infrastructure with specialized investigations that identify unconventional cyber risks.

Project Moore

Project Moore

Project Moore is an Amsterdam law firm specialising in IT-law and privacy.

Argentra

Argentra

Argentra is a specialist engineering company, we have years of experience developing custom security software and providing security risk consulting.

BitTrap

BitTrap

BitTrap helps companies worldwide detect attackers and put an early end to breaches, preventing data exfiltration and ransomware altogether.

Protexxa

Protexxa

Protexxa is a B2B SaaS cybersecurity platform that leverages Artificial Intelligence to rapidly identify, evaluate, predict, and resolve cyber issues for employees.

Moore ClearComm

Moore ClearComm

Moore ClearComm is part of Moore Kingston Smith a leading UK firm of accountants and business advisers. Our services include Data Privacy, Cyber Security, Business Continuity and Information Security.

CertNexus

CertNexus

CertNexus is a vendor-neutral certification body, providing emerging technology certifications and micro-credentials for business, data, developer, IT, and security professionals.

Exacom

Exacom

Exacom is a leading provider of multimedia logging/recording solutions across public safety, government, DoD, energy, utilities, transportation, and security applications.

Defimoon

Defimoon

DeFimoon is the International Blockchain Development & Security Agency. We provide professional services and solutions at the highest quality on world-leading chains.