Why AI Should Mean Augmented Intelligence, Not Artificial Intelligence

Interpretations of what Artificial intelligence (AI) actually means can vary hugely depending on who you ask.

But few would argue that AI has proved itself to be a truly impactful technology. The raw computing power available in 2018 allows organizations to unlock the insight from the big data they hold (both structured and unstructured), which gives them previously unavailable knowledge about their customers, competitors and the wider industries in which they operate in.

Yet as AI stands on the threshold of true mainstream appeal – Squirro recently launched research that revealed 83% of top-tier banks have evaluated AI and more than two-thirds are already using it – it is already time for it to step aside. Augmented intelligence is a more powerful and effective use of computing power than artificial intelligence and fits more with the spirit of the times. This is why.

AI, A Force for Good

AI is involved in many facets of modern life, from driverless cars to tea-making robots, and from chatbots to eCommerce websites knowing what products to recommend to you. AI is involved in all of the above and much more besides, in both the business and consumer worlds. It is mostly a cause for good, improving services and the lives of those that use those services.

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But it’s also true that is has something of a PR problem. There have been too many conversations about machine intelligence actually supplanting human intelligence, with the repercussions of that ranging from humans losing their jobs to machines, to computers ultimately taking over the world!

Much of that is the domain of sci-fi and Hollywood fantasy of course, but equally, it is hard to shake the association that there are elements of AI that are not entirely positive. That’s a shame because some of the advances brought about by AI have been astonishing.

The combination of ever cheaper computing power and massive advances in algorithmic computing allows for even more powerful algorithmic models to become computational reality. Computers can undoubtedly detect patterns in vast amounts of data and derive meanings that have yet to cross the horizon of experience. Yet there are times when artificial intelligence can fall short in situations where goals and inputs are more complex.

The Power of Augmented Intelligence

Such situations are where augmented intelligence stands taller, building on artificial intelligence, by enhancing human input and intelligence to create something infinitely more powerful. Augmented intelligence is essentially people and machines working together, rather than the perception of AI as something that will see machines replace humans.

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This partnership will see the augmentation and extension of human decision making, addressing deep but specific challenges within the business (as opposed to the more general approach of AI) and provide insight and recommendations with reasons and with learning. It’s a powerful proposition and one that has the potential to transform business, in ways such as these–

360-Degree View

Augmented intelligence-based platforms are powerful at gathering data (both structured and unstructured) from across disparate and siloed systems and presenting that data in a form that gives users a complete 360-degree view of each and every customer. This includes contextual information and trends that allows the user to make smarter decisions based on that data and cognitive and contextual search across all data, so users can find what they are looking for (and be advised on what best suits their needs) much quicker.

Data Insights

The insight that is delivered by augmented intelligence platforms is where it can really deliver for any organization. Because it is capable of managing and analyzing so much data, the insight extracted from that data and then presented to the user is deeper and greater than anything previously possible.

Lead Generation 

One way in which the data insight generated by augmented intelligence can help an organization is in lead generation, identifying opportunities for clients and recommending the best product or solution for them. Augmented intelligence will look at data on competitors, partners, and markets and identify catalysts that provide additional upsell or cross-sell opportunities to existing clients, and fresh approaches to prospective clients.

Ticket Resolution

Augmented intelligence can also have a powerful impact on an organization’s IT Service Management landscape. There is a bewildering volume of tickets in most enterprises, but the right platform will provide accurate resolution recommendations, with automated ticket routing meaning better allocation of services resourcing and facilitating self-service when appropriate.

Next Best Action 

Not only will Augmented Intelligence identify catalysts and triggers that could prompt contact with a customer or prospect it will also factor in the context of each opportunity to recommend which is the best course of action to take. In fact, it will score and rank every opportunity and provide actionable recommendations to account handlers.

The fact that augmented intelligence can have such a profound and tangible impact on an organization, in such a variety of ways, means that it will be a technology that is truly embraced by business over the coming years.

A majority of businesses want smarter customers because they want to engage with them in a more valuable way. Augmented intelligence will help revolutionize the way organizations interact with customers. The pairing of human beings and machines enables industries to apply AI to business process intelligence, allowing more powerful, effective and value applications of the technology.

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