Panel | AI: Enough blue-sky thinking! What’s practically happening and where can you start?

Summary

The panel discussion, hosted by Nick Malun, delves into the practical applications of AI in business with a focus on personalization and efficiency. Panelists from various AI-driven companies share insights on leveraging AI for customer experience enhancement, operational efficiency, and innovative problem-solving. They emphasize the importance of integrating AI to streamline workflows and the potential of AI to transform business processes, while also discussing the balance between automation and job preservation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The panel discussion focused on AI, hosted by Nick Malun, who introduced the panelists and set the stage for a conversation on artificial intelligence.
• 👥 The panelists included Amber, head of product management at Do Digital, Rosie, CEO and co-founder of Nibble Technology, and Ali, a computer science graduate and Magento Tech lead at Altis.
• 🤖 AI is being used in various capacities, with many in the audience already utilizing AI tools, and some experimenting with multiple large language models (LLMs).
• 🛍️ Personalization is a key area where AI is making a significant impact, particularly in e-commerce and marketing, with predictive analytics and product recommendations being highlighted as valuable tools.
• 💬 Rosie emphasized the shift from cohort-based personalization to one-to-one personalization, which is enabled by AI, and how this can enhance customer service and experiences.
• 💡 Ali discussed the importance of AI in e-commerce operations, suggesting that AI can help streamline processes and reduce manual workload, ultimately improving operational efficiency.
• 📈 AI is not just about cost savings; it's crucial to focus on enhancing customer experiences and making life easier for them, as emphasized by Amber.
• 🏢 Rosie shared a real-world example of how AI can be used to clear excess stock without deep discounting, by using a chatbot to negotiate prices, thus protecting brand value and margins.
• 🌐 The panel touched on the broader implications of AI, including the potential for job displacement and the need for businesses to adapt and leverage AI to stay competitive.
• 🔍 The panelists encouraged the audience to explore AI tools, experiment with different LLMs, and consider how AI can be integrated into their businesses to solve specific problems and improve processes.

Q & A

Who is the host of the AI-focused panel at the technical track?

The panel is hosted by Nick Malun, a customer success manager at JH and an AI enthusiast.

What is Amber's role at do digital?

Amber is the head of product management at do digital, leading a team focused on building products that customers love.

What is Rosie's position at nibble technology?

Rosie is the CEO and co-founder of nibble technology, a company that develops a chatbot for price negotiations in e-commerce and B2B environments.

What is Ali's professional background and current role?

Ali is a computer science graduate who started her journey at Altiscare as a Magento Tech lead, where she continues to work on various AI projects.

What is the main topic of the panel discussion?

The main topic is about how businesses can get started with artificial intelligence and the practical applications of AI in various industries.

What does Amber discuss regarding AI and personalization in e-commerce?

Amber talks about the importance of personalization in e-commerce and how AI models, such as predictive analytics and product recommendations, can enhance customer experiences by tailoring offers and suggestions based on customer behavior and preferences.

What is Rosie's perspective on the shift from cohort-based to one-to-one personalization?

Rosie believes that the shift from cohort-based to one-to-one personalization is driven by advancements in AI, allowing for a more personalized and empathetic customer service experience, akin to having a top-notch call center agent available at all times.

What real-world use case does Rosie provide about AI in e-commerce?

Rosie shares a story of a client who used nibble technology's chatbot to clear excess stock without resorting to deep discounts, thus protecting the brand's value and margins.

How does Ali view the role of AI in e-commerce operations?

Ali sees AI as an assistant that can streamline operations, reduce manual workload, minimize costly mistakes, and enhance overall operational efficiency, particularly in areas that are often overlooked, such as inventory management and order fulfillment.

What is the panel's consensus on the impact of AI on jobs, particularly in call centers?

While there is acknowledgment that AI may lead to some job losses, particularly in call centers, the panelists also note that AI is more about augmenting human capabilities rather than outright replacing jobs. It is suggested that AI can handle repetitive tasks, allowing human workers to focus on more strategic and productive activities.

What advice do the panelists give for businesses looking to integrate AI into their operations?

The panelists suggest that businesses should start by writing an AI policy, exploring the tools available, focusing on enhancing customer experiences, and being imaginative in solving specific business problems with AI. They also emphasize the importance of gathering feedback and iterating the process to improve the integration of AI.