SYONE - Open Source Lisbon Blog

How AI and Machine Learning are Impacting the Businesses of Tomorrow

Written by Ana Morais | 02/09/24 09:24

Data is the "new oil." It's the new currency of every single business out there and cannot be ignored anymore. Having the data is one thing, but knowing how to leverage the same data is just as important.  

The world is obsessed with data and companies globally are relying more and more on advanced techniques like Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML), to leverage the power of their raw data. 

Whether it is online transactions, social media interactions, customer feedback, or IoT sensors, businesses are collecting data from everywhere. However, its true value is not unlocked until it is curated, analyzed, and made accessible to spark action. This is where AI and ML play their roles. These are things that can sort through large amounts of data at very high speeds and without error to produce patterns or insights we cannot achieve on our own. 

As we delve deeper into how AI and ML are revolutionizing industries, it’s crucial to understand that these technologies are not just about enhancing existing processes—they are about fundamentally transforming the way businesses operate. From predictive analytics that anticipate market shifts to personalized customer experiences that drive loyalty, AI and ML are reshaping the business world in profound ways. 

The Power of AI and Machine Learning 

AI and Machine Learning are more than fancy high-level algorithms or big data processing tools upon further digging; they turn out to be amazing transformational enablers. What makes these kinds of technologies unique is their unparalleled capacity to quickly and accurately analyze vast datasets. These enable businesses to draw insights that were unimaginable a few years ago, which helps them make better decisions and have more proactive strategies than before. 

Think of predictive analytics, one such influential initiative running on AI and ML. Through the use of historical data and patterns, predictive models predict future trends with agility. This allows companies to predict what customers may want, optimize inventory levels, or even anticipate potential supply chain disruptions. A retailer, for example, can apply predictive analytics to predict what items will sell best during the holidays so they are well stocked and do not run out. 

 However, the power of AI and ML goes beyond predictions.  

These technologies are also transforming how businesses engage with their customers. With Machine Learning and AI-powered personalization techniques, companies can actively provide customized offerings for their customers based on the specific preferences and habits of each individual customer. This not only enriches the customer experience, but also improves user adoption and commitment. A streaming service, like Netflix, for instance, employs AI to comb through a user's watching history and suggest shows that appeal to them, which then creates an incentive for the user to stay around. The same goes for Amazon, who suggests new products related to what you bought or what you’re looking for. 

In addition to security, automation and AI/ML are also used for operational efficiencies. They automate repetitive tasks to free up human resources for more strategic endeavors that grow the business. Within manufacturing fields, AI-run robots are handling tasks better suited to a machine (where human error carries far worse ramifications than machines messing up) and, in turn, help productivity. In finance, algorithms that perform ML have been used to manage fraud by scanning immense amounts of transactional data in real-time with an eye toward uncovering any unusual behavior. 

AI and Machine Learning will change the way we run our businesses like nothing before, but as I said above‚ we have not even begun to exploit what is yet achievable. With data generation growing and growing at an extremely fast pace, the need for the role of AI and ML to better analyze that data will become more important. 

The Power of Generative AI 

AI and Machine Learning are powerful on their own, but the integration of Generative AI brings even more transformational capabilities to businesses. While traditional AI focuses on analyzing data and making predictions, Generative AI can create new content, designs, or models based on the input it receives, pushing the boundaries of innovation and efficiency. 

Benefits of AI and ML in Business 

As businesses take advantage of the potential that AI and ML have to offer, a number of benefits are starting to become more clear. These benefits are not just theoretical—they are being realized by companies across various industries, driving tangible improvements in performance, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. 

1 - Enhanced Decision-Making 


The most revolutionary impact of AI or ML is decision enhancement. Using these technologies allows companies to follow metrics in real time, which will help make decisions not just more accurately but also promptly. If you operate in a fast-evolving industry, where things change quickly and your business needs to execute with agility, this ability is of the utmost importance.
 

In retail, one use case for AI could be using machine learning algorithms to create a model that can analyze sales figures, market trends, and external factors (e.g., weather patterns) together to predict future demand for these products. It enables digital retailers to adjust inventory and marketing strategies in real-time, avoiding overstock or stockouts. In finance, AI can assist by analyzing market data on the fly to find investing opportunities and risks that allow traders today to make good decisions. 

2 - Operational Efficiency 

The other imperceptible advantage of AI/ML is process optimization: This allows teams to be more focused on strategic, high-value activities and less time-consuming ones. This not only enhances productivity but also decreases operating costs. 

In the realm of manufacturing, AI allows robotic machines to mechanize standard manufacturing jobs such as assembly lines and quality control checks or some even opt for machine maintenance. These robots do not get tired and can work 24/7, thereby ensuring your quality and output so that productivity stays consistent. ML algorithms are also being used in the logistics industry for generating optimal delivery routes, saving fuel costs and time. This increases productivity, but it also diminishes the environmental contribution to logistics operations. 

3 - Predictive Analytics 

One of the best uses of AI and ML is predictive analytics. Predictive models use historical data to determine the relationship between specific variables and can accurately anticipate future trends or what will happen next. This is especially useful for the retail, finance, and healthcare industries, which can ensure a unique advantage if they could predict future trends. 

In the retail industry, we can predict customer demand in order to stock products right into our inventory to avoid a short supply or overstock on certain items by using predictive analytics.  

Predictive models can also determine underlying factors behind customer satisfaction and predict infringing the patent or fiduciary obligation so that they can help analysts make well-informed decisions, aside from potential investment opportunities or risks in the finance industry. In healthcare, predictive analytics can predict future events and trends in a company, providing actionable insights centered around patient health. 

4 - Customized Customer Experiences 

Personalization with the help of AI has changed how businesses communicate with their customers. AI algorithms sift through this data to capture and analyze customer specifics, enabling businesses to customize their offerings based on what they believe is the unique requirement or behavior of a person that buys from them. This is used not just to enrich the customer experience but also to further engagement and loyalty. 

E-commerce platforms are taking advantage of AI to process a customer's browsing and purchase history, so they recommend the proper products, even as videos can automatically generate metadata associated with production data. This, in essence, improves your chances of acquisition while delighting the buyer as well.  

Beyond creative applications, Generative AI is also enhancing customer engagement. Companies are leveraging Generative AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants to provide human-like interactions, improving customer support and personalization. By understanding and generating natural language, these AI systems provide a more intuitive and engaging experience for users. 

Syone’s Approach to Data, AI and Machine Learning 

We understand that technology alone cannot make AI and ML a reality. Successful deployment requires domain expertise, which can only be achieved through working with customers/partners with unique challenges based on their business requirements.  

Our strategy on this matter is based on three major pillars:  

  • Experience: Syone, having been in the industry for more than 25 years, knows how to navigate around AI and ML. We work with a team of data scientists, AI experts, and industry professionals who understand how to manage multiple capabilities within each project. 
  • Customization: Each customer has a business that is going to have very unique challenges and opportunities, so we know they are not all the same! And that's why we work on a bespoke model for AI & ML, where the solutions are uniquely designed to suit every client's needs. From building predictive models, automating processes, or embedding AI into your existing systems and knowledge bases, our solutions are made to get you to take the most out of them. 
  • Integration: For AI/ML to work, it has to be jacked neatly into an organization's infrastructure and processes. This places an imperative on us at Syone to ensure that our solutions are designed by integrating tightly and with the least displacement within their existing infrastructure. 
 
 Real-life Examples 

     1 - Linas Matkasse—Forecasting Demand with Machine Learning 

Let’s explore a real-world example of how Syone’s AI and ML solutions have delivered significant business impact. Linas Matkasse, the leading meal kit provider in the Nordics, faced a unique challenge in their quest to provide the freshest ingredients while minimizing food waste. Their business model required them to order raw materials well in advance, but this meant that they needed to accurately forecast customer demand 10 weeks ahead. 

Linas Matkasse recognized that traditional forecasting methods were not sufficient to meet this challenge. The company needed a more sophisticated approach that could analyze historical data, identify trends, and predict future demand with a high degree of accuracy. That’s when they turned to Syone for help. 

Syone partnered with Linas Matkasse to design and implement a powerful Machine Learning model capable of forecasting product demand 10 weeks in advance. The solution involved migrating their traditional data warehouse to Microsoft Azure, reengineering it to better calculate and produce the necessary analytical models. Syone utilized Azure Databricks to prepare the data and train the Machine Learning model, which was then used to forecast orders with unprecedented accuracy. 

The results were nothing short of remarkable. Linas Matkasse was able to reduce food waste significantly by ordering only the amount of produce that their customers were going to need. The Machine Learning model achieved an average error rate of just 2.3%, with some forecasts boasting an error rate as low as 1.3%. This high level of accuracy not only minimized waste but also reduced operational costs, making Linas Matkasse’s operations more sustainable and efficient. 

Moreover, the success of this forecasting model has laid the foundation for future growth. Linas Matkasse plans to expand this solution across all their brands, further optimizing their supply chain and enhancing their ability to meet customer demand.  

Learn More about this case here - https://www.syone.com/media/client-cases-linas-matkasse-machine-learning  

      2 - Mota-Engil Global—Empowering Knowledge Management with AI 

Another example of AI and ML’s impact is ezSearch, which was implemented within Mota-Engil Global. Mota-Engil, a leading multinational construction firm, revolutionized its knowledge management platform with Syone’s AI-driven search framework.  

The ezSearch solution enhanced their ability to process and retrieve vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently.  

By integrating AI into their knowledge management system, Mota-Engil Global employees could now ask questions in multiple languages, receive instant answers, and access contextually relevant documents, dramatically improving their productivity and decision-making processes. 

Learn More about this case here - https://www.syone.com/how-syone-transformed-mota-engils-knowledge-management   

The Future Is Data 

Looking down the line, one thing is certain: AI and ML will remain paramount in influencing how business works. We have all these technologies that are not tools but catalysts for transformation, helping businesses to reap the most value from their data and drive innovation, efficiency, and growth.  

Companies that truly embrace AI and ML now will be the leaders in this space tomorrow, enabling them to continue differentiating themselves from their competition while delivering unique value to their customers.  

A combination of in-depth business knowledge, powerful tools, and consummate support to drive this transformation is exactly what we do at Syone. 

Want to take advantage of AI and ML for your business? Get in touch with Syone now to see how we can help you exit the competition and reach your business goals, too. Our team is here to help every step of the way, regardless if you are new to AI or want to take your existing capabilities further. 

The Future Is Data 

Looking down the line, one thing is certain: AI and ML will remain paramount in influencing how business works. We have all these technologies that are not tools but catalysts for transformation, helping businesses to wring the most value from their data and drive innovation, efficiency, and growth.  

For companies that are truly embracing AI and ML now, they will be the leaders in this space for tomorrow, making it possible to continue differentiating themselves from their competition while delivering unique value to their customers.  

A combination of in-depth business knowledge, powerful tools, and consummate support to drive this transformation is exactly what we do at Syone.  

Want to take advantage of AI and ML for your business? Get in touch with Syone now to see how we can help you exit competition and reach your business goals too. Our team is here to help every step of the way, regardless if you are new to AI or want to take your existing capabilities further.