Augmented Reality: Super charge Human Intelligence

In the enterprise world the focus is often on "doing more with less" as a measure of whether a new technology is worthy of being considered... And Augmented Reality (and its close cousin VR) certainly fits the bill from that perspective.  BUT, I would argue, the benefits of AR go way beyond the compelling efficiency play and brings human intelligence to a new level around four dimensions of benefits: Decision, Innovation, Speed & Quality, and Collaboration.

Decision making capability is enhanced with AR:

• Access real-time, relevant information:  Physician practionner accessing patient electronic data and biometrics at time of performing an operation.
• Enable scenario simulations:  Architect simulating various configurations of layout to review and discuss with general contractor.
• Learn from past experience:  Operation manager apply artificial intelligence to past AR experiences to identify opportunities to improve processes, tools and organization structure.

Innovation is unleashed with AR:

• Provide senses not naturally available:  The firefighter seeing through smoke and in the dark, recognizing bodies in distress and areas of danger in an unwelcoming environment.
• Expose to objects’ life and persona:  The machine operator entering in a constructive "dialog" with the machines he/she is operating.
• Experiment without physical constraints:  The car manufacturer demonstrating car safety features in collision situations to potential customers.

Speed & Quality (aka efficiency) is a core value of AR:

• Execute tasks at speed and accurately: The maintenance engineer guided in most efficient "route" to maintain dispersed equipment and access to "step by step" instructions to address specific field cases.
• Coach and guide users on “how to fish”: The doctor to guide the nurse on life-saving steps in remote operation situation.
• Make excellence accessible to all: The novice to learn from the best in an all immersive environment in an apprenticeship model.

Collaboration is brought to new heights with AR:

• Remove space and time constraints:  The astronaut taking part of a research analysis meeting on earth, in the comfort of the space station.
• Facilitate cross-languages sharing:  The Japanese leadership dialoging with its German COO in each others' native language.
• Extend connections beyond humans:  The logistics manager providing instructions (and receiving feedback) to his/her fleet of autonomous vehicles to deliver required shipment to specified sites.

So when considering AR (and also VR), the value case should not limit itself to productivity and efficiency gains alone, but also a clear understanding on the benefits of enhanced decision making, unleashed innovation and transformative collaboration as a mean to super charge users' human intelligence and the value to the enterprise by extension.