{"id":20526,"date":"2019-12-20T09:00:35","date_gmt":"2019-12-20T08:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/?p=20526"},"modified":"2019-12-20T15:04:42","modified_gmt":"2019-12-20T14:04:42","slug":"12-days-of-an-ai-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/cross-industry\/2019\/12\/20\/12-days-of-an-ai-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"12 days of an AI Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"
As we head into the festive season, it\u2019s time to reflect on the year that was: the highlights, the lowlights, and how to prepare for the coming year. For many customer-facing businesses, particularly those in retail and hospitality, this is one of their busiest times \u2013 managing demand whilst maintaining great customer service can be challenging. Across other industries, it can often ramp up as teams race to get things done before the Christmas shutdown, plan for the new year and revisit strategic priorities. But it\u2019s also time to consider the technologies that will reshape business, government and society all over the UK in 2020. Recent Microsoft research<\/a> reveals that there is a direct correlation between an organisation\u2019s use of AI technologies and its ability to retain a competitive edge.<\/p>\n AI is at the heart of digital transformation, and at Microsoft we believe that when designed with people at the centre, AI can extend an organisation\u2019s capabilities, freeing employees up for more creative and strategic endeavours to achieve more.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve summarised our year in AI with a twist on the classic \u201c12 Days of Christmas\u201d jingle, from the state of the AI in the UK and what opportunities it presents, as well as practical industry examples from our customers and partners. We also talk about our own digital transformation journey and how we\u2019ve put this in practice at Microsoft, then highlight how AI can be used for good to make the world a better place.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A competitive edge in business. <\/strong><\/p>\n At Future Decoded 2019, Microsoft launched its report into the state of AI across the UK. Accelerating Competitive Advantage with AI<\/em><\/a> surveyed over 5,000 experts, business leaders, and employees, giving us all a full picture of the country\u2019s AI scene. Clare Barclay, Microsoft UK\u2019s Chief Operating Officer, then explored some surprising facts and stats in her blog, \u2018AI-driven businesses surge ahead of competition\u2019.<\/p>\n Read \u2018AI-driven businesses surge ahead of competition\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Advice on rolling out AI in my organisation<\/strong><\/p>\n Are you considering AI adoption? Have you started, but don\u2019t know how to progress? Kate Rosenshine, our resident Head of Data & AI Cloud Solution Architecture, looks at the stumbling blocks that prevent organisations from implementing AI \u2013 and how you can learn from the experiences of other to make sure you launch the technology the right way.<\/p>\n Read \u20184 things holding businesses back from AI implementation (and how to address them)\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Practical tips to successfully implement AI<\/strong><\/p>\n IT projects are notoriously difficult to implement \u2013 but with AI\u2019s scale and scope, which touches upon every employee and department, it can be particularly difficult to get right. Dean Corney, COO at The Pull Agency, uses a simple five-step plan to guide his clients on bringing AI into their business. Now, he\u2019s sharing his advice and experience, so you can, too.<\/p>\n Read \u2018How to implement AI as a mid-sized company: 5 practical steps to success\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Innovative customer experiences<\/strong><\/p>\n 91% of customers are more likely to shop with brands that recognise, remember, and provide relevant offers and recommendations. In the age of personalisation, AI helps you offer a personalised retail experience. Alex Dalman, VCCP Kin\u2019s Senior Account Director, looks at how the technology is meeting customer demands on their terms \u2013 and what you can learn from her experiences with EasyJet.<\/p>\n Read \u2018How to use AI to innovate and transform customer experiences\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n The future of marketing <\/strong><\/p>\n Technology isn\u2019t new to marketers \u2013 but how it\u2019s incorporated into a business is. From speeding up transactions to marketing online, AI is helping retail companies reach more customers than ever before. Tom Crawford, an Azure Specialist intern at Microsoft UK, explains what the future of retail looks like, how that landscape will continue to evolve, and what it means for you, your business, and your customers.<\/p>\n Read \u2018Reimagining retail with AI\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Opportunities across my entire business<\/strong><\/p>\n For every challenge that a business faces, AI serves up a solution, an opportunity, or a new way to work. Janet Jones, former banker and a Microsoft UK Industrial Executive for the sector, highlights the key challenges for businesses looking to adopt AI, and the benefits it can bring \u2013 particularly in sectors where uptake of the tech is slow.<\/p>\n Read \u2018Opportunities, challenges and fears of AI in financial services\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Better patient care<\/strong><\/p>\n AI benefits every industry, and healthcare \u2013 arguably the most important sector in the country \u2013 is no different. Whether it\u2019s addressing the aging population or the global shortage of healthcare workers, technology can now be used to alleviate pressures of the service. Stephen Docherty, Industry Executive for Health, uncovers the ways in which secured patient data can be used by AI to give healthcare professionals the time, resources, and tools to focus on better patient care.<\/p>\n Read \u2018Time matters: 5 ways AI impacts healthcare\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Insights into overcoming AI barriers<\/strong><\/p>\n AI has been a core part of Microsoft\u2019s marketing for some time \u2013 and Paul Bolt, the company\u2019s CMO, is keen to share some of the barriers faced when adopting the technology. He outlines the five barriers to full integration that Microsoft and other businesses have faced, and how your own business can get ahead of your competition based on learnings from his experience.<\/p>\n Read \u20185 barriers to AI adoption: learnings from our own journey\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Ethical and responsible AI delivery<\/strong><\/p>\n Increasingly, concerns over how AI is used has dominated the conversation. It\u2019s essential that businesses are sure that they\u2019re deploying the technology, both ethically and responsibly. Phil Harvey, Cloud Solution Architect for Data & AI, is on hand to discuss the five key principles for implementing AI in an ethical and responsible way that works for everyone and leaves no-one behind.<\/p>\n Read \u2018Ethical AI: 5 principles for every business to consider\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n An opportunity to help the community<\/strong><\/p>\n The charity sector has often been slower to take up new technologies like AI. This is in part because of rising costs and also a lack of understanding around the benefits it can offer. And that\u2019s where Microsoft\u2019s Ideas Generator day comes in. Victoria Oakes, Microsoft UK\u2019s Storytelling & Digital Destinations Lead, details how our annual Ideas Generator helps charities recognise and overcome challenges through AI-driven solutions in a day that\u2019s part team-building workshop, part digital exploration to empower society\u2019s most vulnerable.<\/p>\n Read \u2018Ideas Generator\u2019 <\/a><\/p>\n Positive societal change<\/strong><\/p>\n The power of AI promises to revolutionise the world \u2013 but it would be nothing without innovative ideas from purpose-driven organisations and start-ups. Clare Barclay, COO, takes a look at Microsoft\u2019s AI for Good accelerator programme; an exciting four-month programme that gives organisations expert tools, support, and resources needed to really make an impact across four key areas: AI for Earth, AI for Accessibility, AI for Humanitarian Action, and AI for Cultural Heritage.<\/p>\n Read \u2018Make a difference with our AI for Good Accelerator Programme\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n All the ways AI can change our futures<\/strong><\/p>\n From saving lives to employee experiences, AI is changing our world \u2013 and businesses need to lead the pack in this digital transformation. Equipped with the right skills and support, your organisation can use AI to create an even better future.<\/p>\n Discover Microsoft AI: Amplifying human ingenuity with intelligent technology<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n We hope you enjoyed our 12 days of AI Christmas. It\u2019s often all too easy to just focus on day to day activities. Taking time to plan how to implement AI in your organisation is just as important to set your business up for success in the future.<\/p>\n Have a Merry Christmas, from all of us at Microsoft UK!<\/p>\n Develop an AI framework and enable an AI ready culture through our AI Business School<\/a><\/p>\nOn the first day of Christmas, AI sent to me\u2026<\/h2>\n
On the second day of Christmas, AI sent to me\u2026<\/h2>\n
On the third day of Christmas, AI sent to me\u2026<\/h2>\n
On the fourth day of Christmas, AI sent to me\u2026<\/h2>\n
On the fifth day of Christmas, AI sent to me\u2026<\/h2>\n
On the sixth day of Christmas, AI sent to me\u2026<\/h2>\n
On the seventh day of Christmas, AI sent to me\u2026<\/h2>\n
On the eighth day of Christmas, AI sent to me\u2026<\/h2>\n
On the ninth day of Christmas, AI sent to me\u2026<\/h2>\n
On the tenth day of Christmas, AI sent to me\u2026<\/h2>\n
On the eleventh day of Christmas, AI sent to me\u2026<\/h2>\n
On the twelfth day of Christmas, AI sent to me\u2026<\/h2>\n
Find out more<\/h2>\n