How AI can transform the world for the better

In my nearly three decades as a HR practitioner, consultant, and technologist, I've never been more enthusiastic about the potential of new and innovative technology. I see its benefits daily in my work with Microsoft Copilot, and in my personal life with ChatGPT, Bard, MidJourney, Firefly, and InVideo. AI is one of the most powerful and disruptive forces of our time, reshaping every industry, sector, and aspect of our lives. It creates new opportunities, challenges, and possibilities for the future.

What is Generative AI?

What is Generative AI, and why is it so important and what must companies do to prepare? Generative AI is the ability of machines to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning, decision making, and creativity. Generative AI can augment and enhance human capabilities, enabling us to do more, faster, better, and cheaper.

In his book published in 2018 "Human + Machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI" Paul Daugherty, Accenture's Chief Technology and Innovation Officer argued that AI is not a threat to jobs, but rather an opportunity to augment human capabilities and create new and better ways of working. I truly believe this and have already seen the benefits of GenAI in HR.

Five crucial principles of an AI-fueled business

Daugherty outlines five crucial principles for becoming an AI-fueled business that still relevant to this day:

1. Embrace the human-machine collaboration model. This means designing AI systems that work with humans, rather than replacing them.
2. Invest in fusion skills. These are the skills that enable humans to work effectively with AI systems.
3. Reshape your organization. This may involve creating new roles, departments, and processes to support AI adoption.
4. Establish an ethical framework for AI. This means developing clear guidelines for how AI systems will be used and monitored.
5. Create an AI culture. This means fostering a culture of innovation and experimentation around AI.

Benefits of AI

AI can bring many benefits to the world, such as:

• Improving productivity and efficiency. AI can automate routine and repetitive tasks, freeing up human time and resources for more valuable and creative work. AI can also optimize processes, reduce errors, and increase quality and speed.
• Ensuring Predicability and safety. When AI is incorporated into the flow of work, outcomes are more predictable with less distractions and emotional decision making. Risks and unconscious bias can be reduced, AI solutions don't get tired.
• Creating scalability and availability. AI solutions can be scaled quickly across the enterprise to realize value, no need for “human scaling” and as these solutions run in the cloud, they will always be available.
• Driving innovation and growth. AI can enable new products, services, and business models, as well as new ways of solving problems and generating insights. AI can also foster collaboration and co-creation, both within and across organizations and sectors.
• Enhancing social and environmental impact. AI can help address some of the most pressing issues of our time, such as climate change, health care, education, and inclusion. AI can also empower people and communities, especially those who are underserved or marginalized.

Here and Now

AI is not a distant or futuristic concept. It is here and now, and it is transforming the world for the better. But AI is not a silver bullet, nor a threat. It is a tool, and a partner, that we can use to shape our future.

At Accenture, we are committed to exploring the potential of AI, and to helping our clients and partners harness its power for positive change. We believe that AI can be a force for good, if we use it responsibly, ethically, and humanely.