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An opportunity to reimagine your workforce
Businesses are driven by change and the pace of transformation has never been as rapid as it is today. Digital transformation is at the heart of this progress. Organisations across every sector are fast-tracking their shift to cloud-based infrastructure to enhance scalability, security, and operational flexibility.
AI is now automating repetitive processes and providing real-time insights that improve decision-making. Big data analytics is no longer a luxury for large companies alone; it is an essential tool for businesses of all sizes. These shifts go far beyond operational improvements; they represent fundamental changes to business models.
Think back to the time before Uber. Sure, there were metered taxis for private one-on-one commuting, but their use was nowhere near as prevalent as the modern-day use of e-hailing. Uber, as a platform, opened an entire mobility ecosystem and created demand that, quite simply, was not there before. Can you remember work trips before Uber? International travel? Going out for a meal and a drink?
AI should be seen in the same way. As a technology, it is transformative as it can solve multiple problems across an array of different contexts. In addition to this, it is – by virtue of existing – creating new demand for new functions while transforming existing processes.
While the advantages of digital transformation are clear, the journey to achieving them is not without challenges. One of the most significant difficulties lies in overcoming cultural resistance to change. Whether it is anxiety from employees or hesitation at the leadership level, the introduction of new workflows, automation tools, and AI-driven systems can often trigger uncertainty.
Equally important to adopting advanced technologies is ensuring that the implementation is guided by clear ethical principles. As AI and automation become more deeply embedded in our economies, there is a legitimate concern about job displacement in industries like manufacturing, transportation, and customer service.
However, this is not just solely a challenge, but as an opportunity to reimagine the workforce. By automating routine tasks, businesses can unlock human potential, allowing people to focus on more creative, strategic, and valueadding roles that drive innovation and enhance job satisfaction.
Embedding strong ethical frameworks into the deployment of technology is critical. The principles of transparency, fairness, and accountability must guide the development and use of AI and data analytics to mitigate risks like bias, privacy infringements, and security breaches.
Ultimately, building trust with customers, employees, and society at large will be a defining factor for successful, sustainable technology-driven businesses.
The future of work will be defined by constant innovation and agility. To thrive, organisations will need to embrace a mindset of continuous learning and foster cultures that are flexible, inclusive, and resilient. Leaders must lead by example, staying digitally literate and open to new ideas, while encouraging their teams to challenge conventional thinking and embrace new technologies.
To truly thrive in this era, businesses must invest in resilience not only within their technology infrastructure, but also in their people and operational models too. This means creating work environments that promote well-being, inclusivity, and creativity while embracing collaborative platforms and automation tools to boost productivity and engagement. One truth is clear; agility, resilience, and a people-first approach to technology will be the defining qualities that set true leaders apart.
Alma Numic, VP General Manager EMEA, Infobip
There is little use in throwing the kitchen sink at a business and hoping something sticks and something else improves. Businesses need to be practical with their AI implementation strategies. Start small, with targeted use cases. Collaborate closely with an expert partner to highlight low-risk entry points.
These allow the business to focus on efficiency and a reduction in errors. For example, a focus on daily process improvements will lead not only to better business outcomes, but it is likely to reveal more use cases. Personalisation is a key strength of AI, and when deployed strategically it can radically overhaul a business’ s effectiveness.
It is important to see an AI strategy as a continuous evolution and not a one-time implementation. Discard the check-list. One needs to continuously identify areas to improve in the business, and then adapt the AI solutions as business needs evolve and change. In many ways, it is about building an organisational culture of constantly building and adapting.
When doing due diligence on potential partners to guide you along your AI journey, technical capabilities are obviously important. However, that is not the end goal – it should be the starting point. Look beyond the partner’ s technical capabilities. Knowing everything you do now about what AI is, and how it should be implemented, seek out a partner that endeavours to deeply understand your specific business and its challenges, and who can help you to uncover areas where AI can add value to your business.
Prioritise expert partners who prioritise the importance of a customised, problem-solving approach because that is playing into the strengths of what AI actually is, and does. Finally, precisely because your AI journey will be an ongoing evolution, look for a partner that has a proven track record of building an ecosystem of ongoing support and innovation. p
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