Meet Your New Intern: AI

The Digital Workplace interview with Ken Herron

Human to machine communication has been a one-way game for decades.

But recently we’ve hit an important inflection point with conversational AI.

Now humans can use their own natural language to talk with machines. This can fundamentally change the nature of conversation.

Ken Herron is the CMO for UIB, a conversational AI company.

The UI of AI

The proliferation of conversational AI doesn’t just change the nature of how we communicate with machines, it also affects the entire way we think about a user interface.

Are you communicating with a smart speaker? With a chatbot? A mobile app? When conversational AI is applied correctly, it can redefine what it means to interact with machines. A person might switch back and forth between voice and messaging without missing a beat.

It also changes the way that languages are learned. AI didn’t learn Arabic from a textbook, yet it has become extremely proficient at both written and spoken language. This should force us to rethink how humans actually learn languages. Hopefully with some technomimicry, we can apply this back to our own learning.

“The people who can work best with AI will continue to have gainful employment everywhere.”

You are already working with AI

Most likely, you are using some form of AI in your daily routine. You may use Grammarly, which analyzes your language. You may be using chatbots. You may contribute to a robotic process automation (RPA), or other automated workflow.

However, the nature of human’s relationship with AI is yet to be seen. Is AI going to be our master? A coach? An assistant? Or a teammate?

It’s unclear right now, but all options are open.

“So this is not a question about the AI is going to take my job. The question is, are you investing in yourself to get comfortable with it, to get proficient so that you can work with AI?”

How to start using AI

Find an implementation that makes sense and lets everyone start using it. Ken recommends a broad process that everyone is involved in, but isn’t mission critical. Something like vacation requests or scheduling.

Ken says it’s important to give the long term vision at the start and encourage everyone to contribute to making it better. “Know with absolute clarity what you are trying to achieve.”

Treat AI like an intern. It won’t know much at first, but helping it out along the way will make the whole company better in the end. AI starts off “as dumb as dirt” but can become really proficient in as little as two weeks.