How Technology Is Changing Business

Technology constantly changes the way organizations operate and service customers. The most successful companies are able to adapt to the changes that result from new technology. Below, I’ve highlighted some technological developments that I think will have the biggest impact on business in the next 10–15 years.

Artificial Intelligence

Today many businesses use artificial intelligence (AI) to power their products and services. Google is one of the most well-known companies that uses AI. Google Search is powered by deep learning, a process where computers analyze large amounts of data in order to learn and become more efficient at their jobs. A chatterbot, or chatbot, is another popular AI program that many companies use. Chatbots are useful because they can answer simple customer questions. Facebook Messenger currently gives companies the ability to use chatbots for online customer service. Automated conversations save businesses money and give customers the answers they need in a timely fashion. Developers are still working out the kinks of AI conversations, but in the future it’s likely that most companies will use chatbots to power some level of online customer service.

Big Data

The number of businesses that use big data continues to rise. Even if a company is not analyzing data, it is collecting it whether it realizes it or not. Websites, social media accounts, and feedback surveys are all services that collect customer data. It’s up to each business to decide how it will get the most value out of the data it collects. Sometimes this can be difficult. But ignoring data will not be an option for the businesses of the future. Many companies use feedback surveys to collect data because surveys are one of the simplest and most effective ways to understand customers. The most successful organizations want to consistently improve customer experience. Collecting and analyzing customer data is one of the best ways to achieve this.

Drones

Many companies currently use or are planning to use drones in the future. In fact, Amazon believes it will use drones to deliver packages sometime in the next five years. Fortunately for companies, the Federal Aviation Administration recently issued new rules that make it easier to get commercial drones in the air. Drones can be used for more than just than deliveries though. Mining companies, for example, can use drones to inspect locations for potential use. Any organization whose work involves scaling large structures will find drones useful for inspection and repairs.

Self-Driving Vehicles

Self-driving cars will eventually change the way companies conduct business. Right now the technology is still in its infancy. Once it’s perfected it’s likely that many businesses will use autonomous vehicles to make deliveries. That has the potential of saving organizations a lot of money. It’s also possible that transportation companies likeUber will eventually use self-driving cars to service customers.

What do you think of the technology I’ve mentioned? Which one will have the biggest impact on business?