Three things are certain in life: death, taxes and artificial intelligence (AI). Not only is AI significantly less depressing than the other two, it’s also produced a number of business innovations and is becoming more affordable as a mass solution. In the startup space, AI has helped predict Covid variant trends, power military tools, and prevent burnout among doctors.
Beyond the “sexier” applications of AI, the tech has boomed in a sector that quite literally drives daily life: logistics. Here, AI has been optimizing delivery routes, reducing times for last mile delivery, boosting sustainable measures and lowering operational costs. I know this first-hand because I designed the AI for my logistics startup, having initially created an algorithm for my master’s thesis that planned routes for firefighters. This algorithm saved 1,400 lives and reduced time-to-arrival in some of the world’s most congested cities by 40%.
The advantages of AI are undeniable. However, companies often shy away from fully committing to it because they believe that it’s too complex or costly to integrate. Of course, in light of the current unstable market, businesses need to double down on efficiency, but it is still possible to embrace AI and not send shockwaves to your accounting department. With that in mind, these are my tips for Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) hoping to move their last mile into the AI world, and to make a long-term home there.