BY MURIEL ADHIAMBO
In the industrial age, machines began to perform repetitive tasks that were previously assigned to human workers, automating many manual processes. As the information age gives way to what some pundits refer to as ‘the augmented age,’ AI automates repetitive cognitive operations, ushering in a new realm of efficiency. This allows businesses to focus on higher level tasks and redirects mental resources towards innovation. AI can also be used to provide customised training to employees, creating an efficient onboarding and talent-development programme.
Businesses that develop data-driven products can rely on AI to process and analyse large data sets quickly, allowing them to gain useful insights with limited resources. These insights can provide a business with valuable information about customers’ preferences and enable the creation of targeted products and advertising. In this way, businesses retain and expand their client base. AI-powered chatbots such as Safaricom’s Zuri can handle queries and provide prompt 24-hour customer service, potentially negating the need for shift-work and providing employees with better work-life balance.
Organizations can also protect and manage their data resources by employing AI to identify potential threats to cybersecurity and resolving any vulnerabilities.
According to Ian Wambai, an AI developer at agritech firm Vunapay, businesses and industries that embrace AI early on will gain a competitive advantage and enjoy longevity.
Although AI is widely applicable, some sectors stand to benefit more from it. The potential applications of AI are progressively expanding as the technology advances.
AI can improve medical diagnosis, drug discovery, personalized treatment plans, and patient care. In healthcare, for instance, AI chatbot technology can AI chatbot technology can predict health outcomes by processing and evaluating health data from various sources. The technology can identify trends and patterns that inform clinical interventions. Such measures could go a long way towards preventing public health crises such as pandemics.
In Kenya, where the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Regulations require banks and other reporting institutions to conduct money laundering risk assessments, AI could enhance the detection of suspicious activity and improve evaluation mechanisms. Google Cloud’s Anti Money Laundering AI, piloted by global banking conglomerate HSBC, scores money-laundering risk, allowing banks and other commercial institutions to screen customers and dispense with their due-diligence requirements efficiently.
Mutembei Kariuki, co-founder of Fastagger, recommends the use of AI to automate financial models. The company uses AI to help medium and small enterprises scale.
“What we did for one particular barber is ingest their transaction data over a year and show trends in customer spending and retention. They were able to optimize their engagement with customers and open a new store,” Mutembei says.
The matatu sector could also stand to benefit from AI through the use of systems that manage fleet vehicles remotely and help predict demand along different routes. For customers, this could translate to lower fares as public service vehicle owners streamline their operations and minimize costs.
AI can also help educators meet the needs of different students through personalized lesson plans. Education policy makers could also use AI solutions to analyze trends in national examination performance and develop appropriate curricula.
Farmers looking to maximize their output can use image-recognition AI and sensor technologies to keep track of the health of their crops and evaluate soil health. This will allow them to determine the most appropriate farming methods to use and stop any diseases or pests that might reduce their yield. In this way, farmers can maximize their productivity.
In digital entertainment, AI-powered algorithms are often used to tailor content recommendations to customers’ preferences based on previous consumption. This allows entertainment platforms such as Netflix to retain users’ attention by plying them with a stream of content options that fit their tastes and are available at convenient times.
AI can also help disaster response teams coordinate relief efforts. Government actors can also monitor activities using AI, creating transparency and reducing corruption among government officials.
The complexity of AI systems can also lead to opacity, calling decision-making processes into question. Businesses should use AI-models that are transparent and explainable to cultivate trust around outcomes. They must also prioritise data protection and user-consent in order to secure the privacy of and autonomy of persons whose data is used to train AI systems. The systems must also be regularly audited to ward off potential cybersecurity threats.
A key consideration when using AI is its social impact. In 2021, former Facebook employee Frances Hughen told the US congress that the platform’s algorithms were biased, and were prioritizing content that triggers reactions from users. Haugen testified that the company hid internal research that revealed the dangers of its products.
Businesses should therefore consider the input of their stakeholders in their decisions to deploy AI to take diverse perspectives into account. In this way, they can ensure responsible stewardship of AI resources
Muriel Adhiambo is a writer, journalist and Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a focus on current affairs, new media, and law. When she isn’t reading or trying to write fiction, she enjoys watching HBO series and playing guitar. Her work also appears in People Daily Kenya
