Artificial intelligence, or AI is a hot topic at the moment and one that is not without controversy. Many people are excited about the improvements it can bring, while others worry about the security implications and whether it might replace human employees. It is important to remember that AI is a tool and when used well, it can bring many benefits without the disadvantages.
Automation
AI can be used to automate many of the more mundane and repetitive tasks in manufacturing. This has the benefit of making processes more streamlined and freeing up human employees for more creative and innovative tasks.
Automation is not new in the fabrication industry, with many machines such as tapping machines being a form of automation. When used alongside human employees and machines like tapping machines, AI can improve processes.
Supply Chains
Problems in the supply chain can have a knock-on effect that can set back production and result in employees and machinery being left idle. AI can be used to analyse supply chain data, helping to optimise inventory, suggest the best logistics routes, and predict disruptions.
Sales and Marketing
AI can be used to create marketing materials such as emails or compelling product descriptions to aid sales. It can also analyse data to make marketing campaigns more effective and to monitor their success in real time, allowing adjustments to be made as necessary.
Customer Service
While there are many aspects of customer service that need a human touch, there are also many routine activities that can be carried out by AI. This means that human customer service staff can act on the queries directed to them far more quickly since they are no longer having to deal with more routine requests for information. This improvement in customer service will result in a better customer experience and increased customer satisfaction.
Finance
The analytical capabilities of AI can be used well in finance to analyse financial trends and monitor data. This allows those on the finance side of fabrication to make better financial decisions on the direction of the company.