Predictions Series 2019: Time to Bid Adieu to Legacy Systems and Embrace AI

As AI and automation become more prevalent in everyday work, employees will move away from being skills-based towards know-how focused.

Laptops will go the way of the typewriter

As enterprise applications become more mobile, employees will increasingly use one converged device as their sole work device. Though the tech workforce has already adopted a mobile-first approach to their workplaces, 2019 will see this become mainstream in other industries as well. Slow legacy systems will be discarded in favor of mobile-native enterprise applications, enabling a more mobile and collaborative workforce that won’t feel the need to use a laptop.

Central IT loses to localized

Companies are increasingly turning away from outdated and complicated legacy enterprise software systems in favor of “micro function digital systems” – hyper-specific applications created for one purpose (e.g. a system designed only to monitor the sound quality of sales calls). Today’s digitized workplace means that companies will invest in micro function programs that can be deployed more quickly and with greater customization. To keep up with a workforce that is decentralized in its purchasing power, 2019 will be the year of the micro function digital system.

Employees will emphasize ‘know-how’ rather than ‘skills

As AI and automation become more prevalent in everyday work, employees will move away from being skills-based towards know-how focused. The business world centers too much on how AI will be taking over people’s jobs when in reality AI will be a tool for helping employees. As employees become accustomed to adopting AI, they will be more prepared to work more efficiently and reach their full potential. Examples, where AI is already replacing specific skills, include recruiting, managing supply chains, allocating desk space, and keeping records of meetings – with AI, people in these roles will be empowered to do more and go above their work.

AI will live and breathe the user experience

In 2019, companies will be able to capitalize on the reams of data within applications to better understand how employees are using specific systems – such as SaaS platforms or even websites – to bolster the user experience. With literally hundreds of enterprise systems existing in an organization, businesses will apply deep learning to identify any user gaps, which will improve IT support issues, user satisfaction, and adoption. This will bring organizations one step closer to realizing the value of each system.

AI will improve voice-activated assistants

While this will still take a few years to reach mainstream adoption, Voice is rapidly moving to a point where instead of scrolling in an application or website, users can simply say what they want to do and direct us to the relevant section. Voice activation is gaining popularity thanks to Siri on phones and Alexa in homes and car systems. Apple recently also launched Siri shortcuts, which is nothing less than futuristic use of AI voice application. This will impact everyone, everywhere.