As the year 2024 gets underway, experts are predicting a significant emphasis on automation and artificial intelligence (AI) in various industries. These predictions come as companies recognize the need to streamline processes, enhance workflows, and reduce costs. With tighter budgets and calls for increased efficiency, automation is expected to take center stage this year.
IT teams, in particular, will be expected to “do more with less,” according to Ian van Reenen, CTO of IT platform 1E. He references a Forrester analysis from the previous year, which indicated that only a small fraction of technology leaders would successfully achieve growth targets. Van Reenen suggests that automation can help organizations bring down operational costs and increase team efficiency.
One area where automation will have a significant impact is the IT help desk. By reducing the number of issues and incidents, companies can decrease the volume of tickets reaching the service desk, leading to cost savings and improved user experience. Additionally, personalized customer service will become more prevalent as companies focus on building stronger client-customer relationships and providing concierge-style services.
CIOs are also expected to invest more in enterprise automation to transform and scale their organizations. Massimo Pezzini, head of research at Workato, believes that increased automation will equip businesses to respond effectively to uncertain environments and improve agility in their processes.
However, successful implementation of AI and automation requires proper training for employees. Chris Dimitriadis, chief global strategy officer at ISACA, highlights the need for comprehensive AI training among all employees to maximize the benefits of AI technology. Currently, only 7% of organizations provide AI training to their staff. Dimitriadis also mentions that businesses must prepare for greater regulatory scrutiny as governments worldwide develop laws around AI usage.
Furthermore, the race to release AI-powered products and services will continue to intensify in 2024. Start-ups and established companies alike will rush to bring these innovations to market to stay competitive. Andy Patel, a senior researcher at WithSecure, warns that the pressure to include AI functionality in products may lead to inadequate security measures, as was seen with the first wave of IoT devices.
Ultimately, the increasing focus on automation and AI will lead to pervasive AI deployment across all business functions and workstreams. Rodrigo Liang, CEO of generative AI software company SambaNova Systems, predicts that companies will adopt AI as a major asset for company-wide transformations instead of using it for isolated tasks.
In summary, 2024 will be a year of automation and AI adoption as companies strive for efficiency, reduced costs, and improved productivity. By implementing automation, businesses can achieve greater operational efficiency, enhance customer service, and adapt to changing market conditions. However, it is crucial for organizations to provide comprehensive AI training to employees and ensure compliance with emerging regulations. With these measures in place, companies can harness the power of automation and AI to drive growth and success in their respective industries.
The source of the article is from the blog publicsectortravel.org.uk