AI: from an exciting concept to practical applications
AI has quickly evolved from an exciting concept generating global headlines to a powerful, practical tool that is helping many companies in the public sector reshape how employees work. AI is already helping drive value, and though some approaches to AI are sector specific, many can be broadly applied to help employees in all sectors work more efficiently and enjoy their jobs more. We’ve brought together experts from healthcare, state and local governments, and education to share their insights into the steps organizations are taking to move AI from concept to action.
Building a modern data foundation
Many organizations already have the data they need to generate meaningful insights with AI. But unless they connect that data, even the most powerful AI won’t be able to deliver the analysis that companies and organizations need to grow, innovate, and provide excellent service. To make sharing data easier, leaders first need to shift mindsets.
Connecting data is the key to unlocking the power of AI in healthcare. “Using AI, we will have the power of the professional complemented by the power of information,” says Gil Bashe, Chair of Global Health and Purpose at FINN Partners. Bashe believes that AI is a game changer that will help healthcare providers make better decisions faster.
State and local governments see a similar opportunity as they work to improve public welfare. “In the last 50 years, our infrastructure was built with concrete and steel. But in the next 50 years, it is going to be built with software and code,” says Laura Chace, President and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America. Investments in digital infrastructure, such as AI solutions, can help organizations move from data to action. For example, AI can help to shorten emergency response times, analyze traffic patterns, and reroute traffic to prevent accidents and reduce carbon emissions.
In addition to connecting data, organizations are considering how to collect the right data. “We have to be intentional about identifying what data we need, how we are going to analyze and synthesize it, and how we are going to use it to inform instructional decisions,” says Donna Murray, Digital Teaching and Learning Consultant at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. By developing a road map, educators are positioned to deploy AI for that analysis and to gain the insights needed to inform decisions.
Applying AI to drive personalization in public services
AI-powered personalization is especially exciting. In education, teachers and trainers are using AI to modify instructional delivery to meet the unique needs of their students and to make educational resources more accessible to everyone. “To effectively design accessible technology and create accessible learning environments, we have to include learners with disabilities in the discussion,” says Murray. “Their voices and experiences are critical if we are authentically committed to creating accessible educational opportunities for each and every learner.” This approach doesn’t just apply to schools; lifelong learners can also benefit from personalization as they seek to master new skills.
State and local governments are also applying AI solutions to help them provide greater personalization to their constituents. Jess Maneely, Assistant Director for Process Innovation at the American Public Human Services Association, notes that organizations are analyzing workflows to identify where they can improve service delivery without having to increase budgets or personnel. This groundwork will allow them to deploy AI to meet people where they are. “This is done through a customer-centered approach that minimizes barriers, removes redundancies, and reduces the administrative burden,” says Maneely.
In healthcare, innovators like those at the Mount Sinai Health System are discovering new ways that technology can support nursing staff by working alongside them to identify tasks that can be offloaded to AI. This way, nurses can focus on providing the best patient care possible. “What’s happening with these technologies is exactly what needs to happen. It’s not ‘this’ or ‘that’—it’s a hybrid,” says Bashe.
Taking action today to accelerate the adoption of AI
Chatbots might have been an organization’s entry into AI, but they were just the beginning. Instead of focusing on the headlines, act today to prepare your teams to innovate. AI is ready to help deliver valuable insights, facilitate better decision-making, and uncover new opportunities for organizations to increase the value they offer their customers and the public. Accelerate the deployment of AI by migrating systems to Microsoft Azure.
Learn how you can get more value from your data and reduce costs with the Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform.
