Artificial intelligence promises substantial value, but its practical application in business is an evolving journey. At Cronos.AI, we continue our blog series to guide businesses through this complex landscape. Today, we explore the future of AI with insights from Mathias Fransen of RoboRana, Tom Opdebeeck from Studio Hyperdrive, and Kristel Vanderlinden from Futurekind.
Our discussion began with Mathias Fransen reflecting on the future of AI beyond the current hype. He emphasized the significant impact AI will have on how businesses operate and how people interact with technology. "AI will be highly disruptive," Mathias noted, "but the focus should be on what remains after the AI hype. AI's influence will be profound, but its current form may not be what we see in the future."
Mathias also highlighted how AI has become more accessible. "AI was always a futuristic concept, but now it's applicable. Organizations must adapt to become agile, leveraging AI as part of their core processes," he said.
Kristel Vanderlinden discussed the speed of AI development and its accessibility. "The technology is advancing so quickly. Many companies are now rushing to catch up, but people still don't fully grasp AI's impact," she said.
Kristel pointed out the significant changes AI brings, not just to business operations but also to society at large, in sectors like marketing and healthcare. "What does AI mean for surgeons or doctors? AI will change many jobs, causing excitement and anxiety," she noted. Kristel emphasized that the rapid advancement of AI has already begun, with far-reaching implications for various professions.
Tom Opdebeeck provided a perspective on the technological advancements and societal perceptions. "Technologically, this isn't a big bang, but for the general public, the current generation of AI feels like a giant leap. It creates the perception that AI can do everything and will take over, which isn't the case," Tom explained. He emphasized that while AI's technological progression might be gradual, its societal impact is substantial.
Tom highlighted the need for strategic AI implementation. "We shouldn't start by trying to do entirely new things with AI. Instead, we should focus on improving current processes with AI," he said. Kristel added, "It's not about automating or making existing systems efficient. It's about creating new systems that take us further than today's capabilities."
Mathias emphasized the importance of rethinking business processes rather than just enhancing them. "If you go from A to A+, you're just improving the existing system slightly. We need to aim for B, a fundamentally better way of doing things," he explained. This approach encourages a shift from incremental improvements to transformative changes.
Tom also discussed the practical aspects of AI investment. "Invest in areas where you can get the best returns now. Don't start building your own large language models; use existing ones and adapt them to your needs," he advised. Kristel emphasized the importance of differentiation in the market. "If everyone uses the same AI models, how do we differentiate ourselves? This remains a critical question," she remarked.
As the discussion turned to the relationship between humans and AI, Kristel pointed out, "What makes us human is our empathy and ability to consider context. AI can advise, but it lacks the nuanced understanding humans have." Tom raised concerns about the societal risks of AI, especially with content tailored by algorithms. "A whole generation is consuming content curated by algorithms. This poses a significant societal risk," he said.
Mathias shared his perspective on AI as an advisory tool that could evolve into a more autonomous decision-maker. "I've always seen AI as a tool to provide advice. But as it develops, it could become a sort of brain that monitors and evaluates human actions," he suggested. "I like to call this purpose AI, where the system is not just reacting to inputs but proactively engaging in decision-making processes." Mathias emphasized the increasing autonomy of AI, noting that its capabilities are expanding beyond simple recommendations to more complex decision-making roles.
Looking further ahead, Mathias conceded that the roles between AI and humans might even inverse. "Right now, humans monitor AI actions to ensure they operate correctly. In the future, we might see AI systems monitoring human actions, providing oversight and evaluations," he speculated.
Today's discussion highlights that the future of AI is not just about technology but about strategic adoption and societal adaptation. AI will be a critical part of business operations, transforming how we work and live. For businesses, aligning AI initiatives with strategic goals, maintaining robust data management, and staying adaptable to technological shifts are essential.
At Cronos.AI, we are committed to guiding you through these complexities, helping you fully harness AI's potential. Let AI redefine your business operations. Continue following our series for more insights on effectively integrating AI into your business strategy. Connect with us at Cronos.AI to learn how our expertise can support your innovative AI adoption.
