What is AI and how can businesses use it?

Artificial Intelligence has been the talk of the town lately. Since the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, AI has become an unstoppable force, captivating global attention. The History of AI Did you know the concept of AI is older than you might think? In fact, Artificial Intelligence dates back to the 1950s. Manchester’s very own - Alan Turing is often referred to as the "Father of AI". Turing was the first expert to consider the question, "Can machines think?" in 1950 which ignited the phenomena we now know today. Alongside Turing, pioneers like Arthur Samuel and John McCarthy laid the groundwork for the AI we know today—with McCarthy coining the term "Artificial Intelligence" in 1955. Why Has AI Exploded Now? So, why has AI suddenly captured everyone’s attention? The truth is, while AI’s roots go back decades, recent advancements in computing power, access to massive datasets, and breakthroughs in machine learning have pushed it into the mainstream. Businesses around the globe are now racing to harness AI for a competitive edge. We’ll walk you through the basics of AI and how it can transform your business. What is AI? In essence, Artificial Intelligence refers to the imitation of human intelligence by machines. Unlike the robots of science fiction, AI today is a sophisticated field of study, encompassing: 1. Machine Learning (ML) Machine Learning is a branch of AI where computers learn from data, continuously improving their performance over time without needing explicit programming. 2. Deep Learning Deep Learning is a specialised subset of ML that mimics the human brain’s neural networks by connecting layers of data to make complex decisions. Deep learning itself can be broken down into: • Discriminative Models — These categorise data by recognising patterns from previously fed information. • Language Models — Trained systems that process human language by analysing vast amounts of text. • Generative AI — This is where AI gets creative, generating new content that resembles what it’s been trained on. Tools like ChatGPT are a blend of these models, making them so revolutionary today. How Can AI Help Your Business? You’ve likely seen examples of AI’s capabilities—from creating deepfakes to AI-generated music videos. While innovative, these applications are often gimmicky. The real power of AI lies in its practical uses, especially for forward-thinking organisations. Here are some ways AI can revolutionise your business: 1. Customer Service Conversational AI chatbots simplify customer interactions by answering sales inquiries or handling support tickets, saving time and resources. 2. Operational Efficiency AI-driven automation enhances accuracy and speeds up processes, handling mundane, repetitive tasks so employees can focus on higher-value activities. 3. Finance and Accounting From automating administrative tasks (e.g., invoice filing) to using algorithms for fraud detection and financial decision-making, AI optimises financial operations. 4. Sales Enablement AI can assist in identifying high-potential customers, generating research insights, and crafting personalised sales pitches. 5. Marketing and Personalisation AI provides data-driven analysis of trends, enabling businesses to predict opportunities, design winning strategies, and execute campaigns that engage the right audience. How Does SolSup Use AI? At SolSup, AI plays an integral role across our processes. Whether it’s driving revenue, improving quality, or reducing costs, we harness AI to enhance our human ingenuity—not replace it. While AI helps us scale our efforts, we ensure humans are involved before and after AI has done its magic. For us, AI is a tool—not the answer. It’s about blending human creativity with technological capability to deliver exceptional results. If you’d like to explore how AI can help your business grow, contact us today to arrange a conversation. Let’s unlock its potential together!