Exploring The Great AI Unknown: Local Technical Colleges Can Help Employers Dive Into and Benefit From AI Technology (Part 1)
By Sara Mackey, Marketing Communications Specialist
The business world is adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) at a staggering pace, considering how (relatively) slowly humans adapt to change. In a January 2024 IBM survey, about 42% of enterprise-scale organizations (those with over 1,000 employees) have actively deployed AI, and about 40% are exploring AI technologies. While this level of adoption is impressive, according to McKinsey & Company, only 21% of organizations have established policies around the use of AI.
When your organization is ready to take the leap, developmental support is essential to its success, especially if it is not an enterprise-level organization or has dedicated AI staff overseeing the effort. Many organizations can help, but Wisconsin’s technical colleges are ready to help you affordably research, consult, implement, and review policies and procedures to mitigate risk and build a successful AI strategy. The technical colleges can consult, develop, and implement systems around AI, and we can prepare staff to use it effectively.
The World Economic Forum says 70% of global workers have adopted AI outside their work environment, which supports the argument for employees embracing the technology. Still, certain risks involve adopting the technology without implementing use policies. Many benefits of AI are becoming well-known, but it also allows humans to take on more of the high-level decision-making because many tasks can be automated and streamlined.
- Increased efficiency and productivity
- Job creation and evolution
- Enhanced data-supported decision-making
- Personalized customer experience
- Improving accuracy and reducing errors
- Enhancing risk management and safety in specific industries
AI can monitor and predict potential safety and security risks, enhancing safety in numerous industries such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, and technology.
To ensure AI is used efficiently and positively, developers of AI systems should also impart specific ethical standards that still need to be built into the largely unregulated technology.
Thoughtful development of AI systems can incorporate ethical guidelines and transparency to address concerns about bias, privacy, and accountability. Additional positive contributions that AI can demonstrate include:
- Supporting, not replacing, human capabilities - AI can augment human abilities, offering support in many areas. Assistive technologies can also help enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities.
- Environmental efforts - AI has the potential to optimize resource usage, reduce waste, and improve energy efficiency. It can also monitor environmental and disaster management, contributing to sustainability efforts.
- Innovation and improvement - AI drives innovation across various sectors, leading to the development of new products and services. This gives companies continuous improvement opportunities while adapting to emerging challenges and opportunities.
The argument for AI's many advantages is evident, especially when you have a trusted partner with the breadth of knowledge and experience to develop and implement it. In a future article, we will discuss recognizing and protecting against some of AI's risks. Wisconsin’s technical colleges are affordable partners in integration when you’re ready. For contact information, go to https://www.wtcsystem.edu/workforce-solutions.
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