By Jane Welch-Maiolo
(email protected)
PERRYSBURG – In its strictest sense, artificial intelligence is defined as the ability of computer systems or algorithms to imitate intelligent human behavior, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary.
And intelligent behavior is described as tasks that, when performed by humans, demonstrate cognitive skills. This includes playing games, understanding language, diagnosing conditions and locating aids.
Shanda Gore addressed the topic at the Perrysburg Area Chamber of Commerce meeting on Nov. 19.
She is a graduate of Bowling Green State University and is the founder and president of Mays and Associates, Ltd., a leadership development, strategic planning and culture building consulting firm. She also hosts the PinLeader podcast and leads discussion topics at conferences and workshops.
“If you haven’t used AI yet or think you have used it or just played with it, AI is one of the hottest topics in business right now,” she said.
She pointed out that learning about AI can be challenging.
“There’s no one walking around with an AI degree. If they tell you they have one, they’re lying,” she continued, adding that only recently has a school rolled out a course in the field.
In her work with executive coaching, she began to notice that CEOs and large institutions were struggling with AI. “They really didn’t know what to do,” and they were unsure about using the technology.
“When I use the word ‘fear’ I don’t emphasize enough how some people view this.”
AI impacts the multitude of industries in different ways and is viewed in contrasting ways by other countries.
“Some of them are embracing AI and almost throwing caution to the wind because they are so determined to get ahead of it. But there are some guardrails that really need to be put up.”
She encourages companies to adopt the technology by looking at the tools as a team with employees and addressing barriers before adopting a plan.
There are a number of AI bots and business leaders should consider which one best serves the business. Consider how it integrates with existing systems and evaluate its features.
Gore acknowledged that many people are unsure about the technology.
“There is a lot of enthusiasm and optimism, but there is also fear and resistance within organizations,” she says.
She advises business leaders to “really think about the human element of this AI revolution that is happening.”
Embracing new technologies can be daunting for some and downright scary for technophobes. She recalled that when the Internet was new, people feared it would result in the closure of most libraries, which did not happen. “It created more jobs because someone had to run the back end and have the control to put up the guardrails,” she said.
Now people are worried about job losses due to AI, but she believes that with the right tools and guardrails, this will be beneficial for businesses. But while she embraces the technology, she encourages employers not to forget the human side of it.
“If you don’t have a plan, go back and discuss it and put a plan together. All of my effective leaders have a plan for this. They have a policy and are working with their departments to put guardrails in place,” Gore said.
When using AI, she advised companies to keep it separate from their servers and always check the work and sources of AI-generated material.
“Yes, it’s true that AI hallucinates. They use the word hallucination because they don’t want to say what it really is, which is an outright lie.”
AI fills in gaps in areas it doesn’t understand because it works at the adolescent level, she explained, adding that it will provide information to “please you.”
Verifying the information is critical before releasing it to the public because while you can be sued for false information, AI cannot, she said.
“There is a lot of misinformation out there that is putting people in touch with the courts,” she added.
Gore concluded by saying that companies that “make some form of adaptation to AI will do well.”
