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AI: practical tools that transform everyday working life

Written by Kelly-Anne Charuest | Aug 21, 2024 2:30:21 PM

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer confined to abstract concepts or futuristic discussions; it is becoming practically integrated into everyday business.

Far from fantasies of omnipotent robots, AI is taking shape through concrete tools that are subtly but profoundly transforming our working habits. These solutions are varied, touching every aspect of modern business, from meetings to project management to improving team efficiency. In this article, we'll explore how these AI tools are actually being used on a daily basis in the workplace.

How do they simplify tasks, optimize workflows and enable everyone to be more productive? Here's a roundup of AI tools that are already transforming offices, and in very real ways.

1. Automating repetitive tasks with intelligent assistants

In many companies, AI-powered intelligent assistants take care of everyday, repetitive tasks. These tools go far beyond simple calendar reminders.

For example, virtual assistants like Microsoft Power Automate or Zapier can automate entire workflows: from data entry to sending notifications, to updating shared documents.

These wizards reduce the need for manual intervention on tedious administrative or logistical tasks.

For example, an invoice received by e-mail can be automatically filed, recorded and sent to the right accounting teams without a single human action being required. This not only makes work more efficient, but also reduces the risk of errors.

2. AI and meeting management: taking notes, summarizing, and planning

Meetings are often criticized for being inefficient, but AI tools are here to make them more productive.

Tools like Otter.ai or Fireflies turn meetings into more actionable moments. These platforms automatically transcribe conversations, identify key points and generate accurate summaries, as well as to-do lists.

The point? These tools free participants from note-taking, allowing them to focus on discussion and decisions. Transcripts provide a clear follow-up and avoid misunderstandings.

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If someone is absent, they can keep up to date by consulting a summary or searching for keywords in the transcript, making project management much smoother.

3. AI-enhanced project management

In professional environments where project management is crucial, tools like Asana, Monday.com or Trello are starting to integrate AI to optimize processes.

AI is able to track project progress, detect potential bottlenecks, and even suggest adjustments in resources to improve efficiency.

For example, if a team falls behind on a key task, the tool can automatically adjust the deadlines of other tasks to avoid conflicts in the overall schedule.

It can also remind users of deadlines or suggest more optimized alternatives to keep projects on track. This not only simplifies coordination, but also helps to reduce the stress involved in managing complex projects.

It's also a great way to keep users on track.

4. Performance analysis and intelligent feedback

AI is also revolutionizing the way work performance is assessed. Rather than relying on sometimes subjective quarterly appraisals, tools like 15Five or Leapsome use AI to provide real-time feedback based on hard data.

These platforms can track the progress of objectives, analyze team productivity and provide suggestions for improving performance.

For example, if an employee consistently exceeds deadlines on certain tasks, AI can analyze possible causes, such as overwork or difficulties in a specific skill, and suggest solutions to remedy them.

This makes feedback more objective, continuous and constructive, enabling gradual improvement rather than abrupt adjustment during periodic assessments.

5. AI and recruitment: improving efficiency without replacing the human

Recruitment is another time-consuming task, often prone to bias. Tools like HireVue or Pymetrics use AI to analyze applications, assess candidates' skills and even conduct preliminary video interviews.

These tools are capable of sifting through thousands of CVs, detecting keywords and matches with in-demand skills, but also assessing personality traits through cognitive tests or interactive videos.

Of course, AI does not replace the human in the recruitment process. It simply eliminates the most time-consuming first steps, allowing recruiters to focus on assessing candidates more thoroughly. This speeds up the process and helps find qualified candidates faster, while reducing implicit bias in pre-selection.

6. AI-assisted training and personal development

Artificial intelligence is also transforming workplace training. Rather than imposing one-size-fits-all training programs, platforms such as Coursera for Business or LinkedIn Learning personalize training paths according to individual needs.

AI analyzes employees' existing skills, identifies gaps and suggests courses tailored to each individual.

In addition, these platforms adapt modules in real time according to the learner's performance. If a section is particularly difficult, the AI can suggest additional exercises or more detailed explanations to facilitate understanding.

This approach makes learning easier for the learner.

This approach makes training more engaging and better tailored to each individual, reinforcing the skills development of teams.

7. Customer support and customer relations enhanced by AI

Finally, AI plays a crucial role in customer relations. Intelligent chatbots like those from Zendesk or Intercom assist support teams by handling routine queries instantly and autonomously.

They can answer frequently asked questions, direct customers to the right resources or even handle certain requests without human intervention. When a more complex situation arises, these AI tools relay information back to human support with full context, enabling the team to resolve issues more effectively.

This not only improves customer service, it also reduces the time it takes to get the job done.

This not only improves customer satisfaction, but also enables teams to focus on more complex, higher value-added requests.

AI, a practical tool for optimizing day-to-day work

Finally, AI at work is no longer a theoretical topic or reserved for large tech companies.

It's getting involved in practical tasks, making employees' daily lives easier while improving companies' overall efficiency.

Whether to automate repetitive processes, optimize projects, provide real-time feedback, or personalize employee training, AI has become a valuable ally. And far from replacing humans, it helps them focus on what really matters: creativity, innovation and human relationships.