The world is rather interesting these days, thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI). The technology has long moved out of the ambit of sci-fi and has made a definite entrance into our professional lives. But how far has it really penetrated?

Today there are digital assistants scheduling meetings, chatbots working alongside teachers as their assistants and even AI working with HR to make better hiring decisions. The implications of AI in the workplace have started to get noticed. The day isn’t far when HR will leverage the combined power of human intelligence and Artificial Intelligence to deliver a more personalized employee experience.`

It has been predicted that by 2022, one in five workers will have AI as their co-worker. Imagine that!

#1 Humans and AI will work side-by-side

Today artificial intelligence is working effortlessly alongside HR managers and teaching assistants. Chatbots are quick on the uptake and, as Jill Watson, the AI-empowered teaching assistant at Georgia Institute of Technology showed, they can very soon begin to answer routine student queries. This will allow teachers and their human assistants to free-up a significant amount of time and focus on more complex areas of teaching.

As AI becomes a new, trusted member of the team, taking over more routine tasks, HR leaders will now need to spend time orienting and training chatbots, and also educating the rest of the team on how to work with them. The result of this will be more time for human employees to do tasks meant for humans, such as complex problem solving, critical thinking and creativity.

#2 Can AI take over some roles entirely?

There is a fear that AI will take over some tasks entirely. Even in the worst case scenario, this is unlikely. At best, certain activities will need to be re-defined, and that could call for revising business processes and introducing new job roles. As the point above outlines, AI can take over certain routine activities, allowing individuals who earlier performed these roles to bring greater value to their customers and employees.

#3 Sourcing and recruiting new hires

Another notable area where AI is helping companies is the way they source and recruit new hires. With the backing of AI, recruiters can prioritize jobs more efficiently, find the right talent faster, and match candidates more effectively. Rather than relying on filters such as years of experience or education levels, machine learning can help shortlist candidates based on core skills such as agility, cognitive abilities, etc. This ‘horizontal sourcing’ model can even help talent move across business verticals, domains, and industries. This is a fantastic example of AI truly reinventing a business function.

#4 Machine learning will help improve careers

There is a trend that is gradually being noticed across industries and sectors. Employees at all levels are staying 30% longer in their roles. This is an excellent opportunity for companies to help employees focus on their career and not just aim for promotions. Managers at Cisco are already leveraging machine learning to help their team members present their skills, interests, and passions, and then look for internal roles that can help further their career goals.

#5 AI as a virtual coach and to reinforce learning

Several newer companies are investing in chatbots that will provide employees with individual coaching in the workplace.

Take the example of the MIT Media Lab startup GiantOtter. The company is riding on AI to develop and train ‘Coach Otto’, a training bot that provides online coaching for companies. An employer can use this chatbot as a coach or a companion to improve an individual’s performance on the job, for instance preparing a manager for a difficult conversation with an employee.

Conclusion:

There is no doubt that AI + human is the future of work. Now it is simply a question of businesses using AI to create a seamless employee experience. What do you think? Will the advent of AI threaten existing jobs, or will the two work seamlessly and create a more efficient system?

While no one can actually predict what the future will look like, a few farsighted ones can definitely take an educated guess on how technology will change the way we work.

Here are top 6 tech trends that we see shaping the way businesses work. Are you ready to step into the future?

#1 Virtual and augmented reality will involve the entire community

Right at this moment, virtual reality is pretty much an individual experience. You pick up a headset and plunge into a virtual world that has just a sole occupant – you.

Going forward, Virtual Reality, and to a great extent even Augmented Reality, will let individuals enter and explore untold worlds together. They’ll play and work together, and share everything in this alternate reality.

#2 Blockchain will find newer areas to work in

It seems like everybody’s talking about blockchains and cryptocurrencies. However, the rapid rise of blockchain technology will no longer be limited in the coming future.

There are newer areas to work in and newer arenas of society to conquer, including the government.

For instance, blockchain can make it possible to reduce the risk of fraud and manipulation, massively impacting how votes are collected. When more voices are heard and make a difference in policy decisions, the overarching benefit is to society as a whole. Never know, blockchain might even endpaper ballots entirely.

#3 Consumer tech will become more appealing (if it wasn’t already)

Let’s face facts; technology is addictive. And helping us all stay addicted are today’s smartphones and digital devices. No longer boxy with sharp edges, they slide into our lives with their soft, rounded and inviting appearances.

As consumers demand more options that fit into their lives seamlessly and are an extension of their selves, hardware will start to become more expressive and responsive.

#4 Data will make life smarter but still be private

Big data is big business. But it can also be intrusive. How do companies plan on tackling that without losing out on the game?

Smartphones and other digital devices are already measuring and noting down various aspects of our lives, like how long we slept, how much we walked, etc. The trend now will be to use low-fidelity audio and visual sensors that can do the same task of providing data about people and their behavior, but without revealing any identifying information.

Customers get better experiences, and companies still get their precious data. Everybody is happy.

#5 Ultra-tiny robots will replace medicines in some cases

Not too far down in the future, a doctor might ask you to pop a nanorobot into your mouth, which will then go on to journey through your body and clear your veins of any plaque buildup. Popping pills and injecting medicines might not always be the first line of attack against an illness, according to some tech forecasters.

Various other nanorobots can travel through your system and send back personalized and targeted, intelligent advice to help you lead a healthier, better life. A form of edible health robots might also come into the picture, travel through the bloodstream to deliver important nutrients.

#6 The way we travel will change

Already ride-sharing is changing the vehicle market. Add to that mix a preference for electric vehicles (EVs) over the traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) ones. We’re not too far away from the tipping point.

People who buy used cars will be seen buying their first used EV in just another few more years. Very soon it will not be economical to purchase, maintain and own a car with a traditional combustion engine. And car makers are gearing up for the demand.

Conclusion

The world of technology is exciting. And when it intersects the working world, it has the potential to completely change the way we work, or even our jobs themselves. The only way to know is to wait for the future to reveal itself.

When it comes to communication in the workplace, it might seem to be an easier idea to just pick up the
phone and talk to the concerned person. Isn’t that what most of us do? And this works just fine as long
as it’s a one-on-one call and there is simple exchange of information. But what about conference calls
between more people, where ideas are to be discussed or concepts tossed around?
Many businesses have already taken to video conferencing as the next best thing. It’s been around for a
while now, yet a few businesses are still to make the transition to this medium from the more traditional
audio conference calls.
Video conferencing brings an array of advantages to the corporate table, some of which cannot be
rivalled by audio calls. Video can help improve the value of communication in the workplace and make
the exchange of ideas more seamless than ever before.
How do you decide whether video conferencing is good for your business needs? We’ve jotted down a
few points of comparison which will allow you to take a more informed call.

#1 Simplicity
Often audio calls are considered to be an easier or simpler option than video conferencing; just dial the
number and talk. However, there are several video conferencing tools and systems that make it just as
easy to set up a video call.

#2 Convenience
Along with simplicity comes convenience. We agree that it’s much more convenient to dial into a
meeting from your desk, or even when in transit. A video conference might seem to be a slightly trickier
option but there are a range of cloud-based tools which allow you to create and participate in video
meetings with just one-click, wherever you may be.

#3 Distraction levels
A video call by its very nature requires participants to pay more attention. You’re on video and your
involvement can be seen by all. In an audio call it is easier to get distracted. Since no one can see you,
it’s tempting to doodle while chatting or check emails while it’s someone else’s turn to speak on the call.

#4 Quality of communication
Distraction is a two-way street. If you’re not paying attention, you’re not participating enough and
neither are you able to process information efficiently. It is known that we humans are more engaged
when visuals are involved. And finally, there is the question of non-verbal communication which finds no
mention in just an audio call.

#5 Data sharing
Many video conferencing tools make it easy to share visual information. Documents, files, links and even
participant screens can be shared and controlled in real time. Video conferencing makes a lot of sense
for meetings where a deal of data needs to be shared among all participants.

#6 Performance
The actual quality and performance of the call eventually depends upon the kind of system, software
and tools that you’re using. When both systems are of equal network quality, a video call meeting will
make you look more professional to colleagues and clients.

Conclusion
Although audio calls are still appreciated, they are slowly and gradually losing ground in the business
realm as more and more people become familiar with video conferencing and its advantages.