AI set to revolutionise industries

Will reshape business operations with cost-effective solutions, say experts

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KARACHI:

While bringing about a tech boom in every field, artificial intelligence (AI) will streamline and shape future business models, industry competition as well as public and private organisations, according to AI coaches and experts.

They said this while speaking to The Express Tribune on Saturday. They explained that emerging technologies such as AI, cloud computing and big data are dramatically transforming the tech landscape, while traditional industrialists look on, enthralled by the numerous benefits AI has to offer, such as cost-effective modus operandi and low budget mechanisms with AI-based software.

In the West, intelligence software was already in use, but it is being rapidly replaced by AI-based software due to a host of benefits for all kinds of organisations, whether public or private, large or small.

Leading AI strategist and Workforce Commerce CEO Khawaja Fahad Shakeel said AI-based programmes vary from industry to industry, organisation to organisation, field to field and the like.

For example, AI-based software can help to gather accurate facts and figures for a project in terms of budgeting and costing, while simultaneously controlling poor governance or corruption in public organisations. Additionally, it can play a vital role in the agriculture sector by ensuring soil testing, in the health sector by maintaining Electronic Medical Records (EMR) of all patients, in the hotel industry by reducing food wastage and ensuring delivery management, and in the manufacturing sector by optimising the use of resources.

He stated, "Old data is crucial in making AI-based programmes for any firm or organisation. Tapping into AI is so easy and in the near future, everything will be AI dependent everywhere in the world."

IT analyst and National Incubation Centre (NIC) Karachi Project Director Syed Azfar Hussain said the widespread accessibility and usability of AI is set to revolutionise industries much like satellite television, PCs, the internet, and smartphones did in the past. It's the video that killed the radio star moment with generative AI transforming technology and businesses where many believe humans and jobs performed by humans will be replaced.

AI capacity to process and analyse large volumes of data will enable businesses to make faster, smarter decisions, streamline their operations, and discover new growth opportunities.

He said, "We are already seeing AI-driven analytics transform industries. Companies like Amazon and Alibaba are fine-tuning their supply chains by predicting demand patterns with incredible precision. In healthcare, institutions such as the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK and Mayo Clinic in the US are using AI to improve diagnostics and tailour treatments to individual patients."

Cloud computing is levelling the playing field, allowing startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to scale their operations without significant infrastructure costs. Platforms like Amazon Web Service (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) are making high-level technologies accessible to businesses of all sizes.

At the same time, big data is offering unprecedented insights into consumer behaviour, market trends, and internal efficiencies, helping companies stay competitive and agile in evolving markets.

Hussain added that companies and firms that embrace agile and lean methodologies will be the first to fully capitalise on big data and cloud computing. Tesla has embedded AI and big data analytics into their production cycles, which has allowed them to innovate at an unmatched pace.

Similarly, fintech startups like Stripe and Revolut are harnessing cloud platforms to develop and launch new products rapidly. For entrepreneurs and product development teams, this technological shift is game changing. The resources and time typically needed to build and test new products are significantly reduced. AI-driven insights enable businesses to pivot swiftly, experiment with innovative models, and break into emerging markets faster than ever before.

Eminent SEO expert and IT coach Mehboob Shar, who is also Founder and CEO of Icreativez Technologies, said, "As a tech CEO, I firmly believe AI is poised to revolutionise our industry."

He said every tech tool and software solution or IT-enabled product will demand AI integration to unlock its full potential and achieve peak efficiency. Cloud computing has undeniably proven its ability to secure data with robust layers of protection, while also providing on-demand access to vital server resources.

He commented, "Big data, too, plays a crucial role in extracting the precise information we need. The value of AI is undeniable. For instance, we recently developed logistics software for one of our Icreativez Europe clients. Their government is now providing a grant to integrate AI capabilities into this software, recognising its potential to further optimise logistics and drive economic growth. This is a clear testament to the transformative power of AI and its ability to reshape industries across the board.

"What's more, I think we are touching upon a crucial point about the evolving role of AI in the workforce. It's likely that AI will automate many tasks currently done by entry-level employees. This means those jobs will require a higher level of skill and expertise."