Move beyond the trend of simplistic AI tools!

by Startacus Admin

Don’t fall for the ‘next best action’ trap! We need to move beyond the current trend of adding simplistic AI tools to sales force dashboards,OKRA will highlight at their 15th September free webinar
OKRA, is an artificial intelligence company for healthcare who use AI-powered analytics to save and improve human lives. Here, they share all on their coming-soon free webinar:
These (simplistic and 'dumb') AI tools make sense for managers - they are very easy to apply, inexpensive, and give reps an enhanced view of the market - but in the medium-to-long term will likely cause more harm than good.
During the webinar we will discuss why we must immediately take more care when installing these systems. In particular, we must avoid three common traits:
Autocratic
Most of us would recoil in fear if we were told that our next manager was going to be an autocrat. We would far rather a boss who used carrots rather than sticks to motivate his/her workforce. We would value empathy and flexibility in our leadership: ultimately it’s preferable to have someone we want to work for.
Yet the next best action systems are very much the opposite. They bark out single-line instructions that come with very little nuance. Even if they are right, it won’t take long for us to want to ‘rage against the machine’.
Unexplained
The vast majority of AI systems being deployed are ‘black box’. And there’s a very good reason for that: AI systems learn as they go, and it eventually becomes more and more difficult to understand their reasoning. In fact, the more sophisticated and intelligent the AI, the harder it is to explain the decisions it makes.
But like the autocratic manager, we quickly lose trust and respect if we cannot break down our actions or decisions into rational arguments.
Dumb
There are different grades of AI. Many of the systems being deployed currently are ‘rules-based systems’ - where an inferior artificial intelligence is given guidelines and parameters to work with, in order that it can figure out what it needs to.
And you would think that by setting up such a scenario, you would be helping the AI, a little bit like adding stabilisers onto a child’s bicycle to stop them falling over.
However it is also easy to understand that nobody would ever compete in the Tour de France with stabilisers on their bike. These stabilisers would stop you ever from becoming an elite cyclist, and rules-based systems are similarly unable to become as smart as we require.
Non-rules based systems, or ‘deep’ AI, are far more difficult to create. Typically, such systems are not even told the rules of the game when they start playing. However they quickly supersede their counterparts and become insightful - and useful.
Ultimately, it’s about trust
Our industry has experienced countless ‘digital transformation’ initiatives that have failed to get off the ground. Often that’s not because of the sophistication of the technology but because of the lack of belief or trust in the system. Next best action systems are no different in this regard.
Join this free webinar to witness the solution - what is possible - and how to avoid these common pitfalls that could otherwise result in a lot of wasted money, morale and a lack of interest in engaging with future solutions.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Got a business in the manufacturing sector? These tips on how you can reduce energy costs while being more sustainable are well worth a read...

Innovative InsurTech startup SureIn announces a €4M Seed round to further its mission of making insurance easy, transparent and hassle-free for SMBs.

Nassia Skoulikariti, Director of IoT Programmes, Mobile Ecosystem Forum shares some insights on how IoT is having a significant impact on all our lives.

Roger James Hamilton, Founder and CEO of Genius Group, a world-leading entrepreneur Edtech and education group, discusses how introducing a globalized curriculum will help better prepare students.

SuperFi, the debt prevention platform, has announced a $1m pre-seed funding round to support people during the cost of living crisis.

41 startups from 13 countries, including the UK, have been selected for the 8th Kickstart Innovation program, one of Europe’s leading innovation platforms.

Personal training platform Another Round has secured £300k in its latest fundraise, including investment from angels and its community.

Thingtrax Secures £4.3M to Empower Manufacturers to Build the Factories of the Future

A measure of inflation relief for small firms sees transport costs fall but service price increases remain elevated

Bedfordshire-based HR tech startup HR DataHub has built a range of tools for HR departments
Published on: 4th September 2020
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.







- SureIn Secures €4M to Close the SMB Insurance Gap 15th Aug 2023 Innovative InsurTech startup SureIn announces a €4M Seed round to further its mission of making insurance easy, transparent and hassle-free for SMBs.
- SuperFi raises $1M pre-seed funding round 28th Jul 2023 SuperFi, the debt prevention platform, has announced a $1m pre-seed funding round to support people during the cost of living crisis.
- Startups rely on AI & sustainability for new partnerships 27th Jul 2023 41 startups from 13 countries, including the UK, have been selected for the 8th Kickstart Innovation program, one of Europe’s leading innovation platforms.
- Another Round closes £300k Seed round to revolutionise personal training 21st Jul 2023 Personal training platform Another Round has secured £300k in its latest fundraise, including investment from angels and its community.