FEATURE : FORECASTS AND PREDICTIONS
AI-powered tools will help improve regulatory
compliance and data quality while providing actionable insights that enhance customer service and unlock new revenue streams . The ability to automate tasks using AI will significantly enhance efficiency and decision-making . From disease detection in healthcare to predictive maintenance in manufacturing , the potential applications are vast .
AI has reached a stage where broader adoption is possible , allowing automation efforts to become more intelligent and adaptable . This evolution will open new opportunities for businesses to optimise processes and improve outcomes .
Real-time data capabilities are becoming a reality . Advancements in IoT , 5G , cloud computing , and edge technologies are driving this shift . Real-time analytics will enable immediate insights and operational efficiencies . Complementing these capabilities with advanced data visualisation tools will further empower organisations to make informed decisions .
Guardrails will address key challenges like compliance , transparency , and human oversight , ensuring that AI models deliver trustworthy outcomes .
Generative AI , if used responsibly , holds immense potential for boosting productivity . These technologies should serve as assistants , not replacements . By educating employees to be AI-literate , organisations can harness the benefits of Generative AI without compromising quality . Quality data remains the cornerstone of any AI initiative .
However , this can only be enabled with the necessary expertise of AI literate data specialists who can define the supporting data architecture and execute data pipelines based on best practice data engineering .
Soon-Ee Cheah , GM of AI Products , Xero
How a device fits into our lives and helps achieve goals
Remember when the world shifted from paper to computers ? Or from desktops to mobile devices ? We are on the cusp of a similar revolution with AI . What once felt like a futuristic , magical tool is quietly weaving itself into our daily lives . In the same way , we now wonder how we ever lived without the Internet ; soon , we will wonder the same about AI .
In 2025 , AI will no longer be something we discuss in abstract terms . It will be something we interact
AI WILL SHIFT FROM BEING JUDGED BY ITS TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS TO THE REAL-WORLD VALUE IT BRINGS .
with as naturally and routinely as checking an email or getting directions . It will become the new normal , so embedded in our lives , humming along in the background , that it will hardly be noticed .
AI is on the same path . Tasks once seen as futuristic , like automatic meeting summaries or real-time suggestions to improve our emails , are now everyday conveniences and increasingly commonplace . And , instead of engaging with AI through dedicated chatbots , we will encounter it passively – woven into conversations and experiences across our devices , applications , and workflows .
AI is moving from a tool that stands out to one that just works , improving our experiences without drawing attention to itself . The shift will be gradual , but next year , AI will be so seamlessly integrated into our lives we will not think twice about its presence .
For small businesses , this could mean AI embedded in their accounting software , automatically reconciling transactions or flagging anomalies in real-time , without requiring direct input . It will work quietly in the background , providing insights , making decisions , and taking actions , all while letting us focus on what matters most .
In the technology world , we have traditionally been obsessed with specifications : processing power , storage capacity , or in the case of cameras , megapixels . But over time , we have come to realise these only tell part of the story .
What really matters is how a device fits into our lives and helps us achieve our goals . When was the last time you considered the number of megapixels on a camera ? Now , we care more about the photos it takes and the memories it helps capture .
Similarly , AI will shift from being judged by its technical specifications to the real-world value it brings . It will not matter if your AI uses the latest LLMs ; what will matter is whether it makes your life easier . That is the new benchmark .
www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA 37