If you're a small business, chances are you're thinking about how you can use AI to improve your operations. Luckily, there are a number of ways businesses like yours can use artificial intelligence to drive success.
The buzzword of the moment, generative AI, is on everyone’s lips, whether they use it for their business or not. The good news is that you can use it for free. Many generative AI models are available, with the most famous being ChatGPT. Many small businesses use ChatGPT for content creation, report writing, and planning assistance, but it can be used for much more.
While it’s easy to be impressed by its capabilities, it’s important to understand its limitations. Generative AI models can confidently give incorrect information and may lack the emotional nuance needed to strike the right tone. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a person review everything for accuracy and to ensure the content feels appropriate.
The best way to get started is to find a generative AI provider and experiment. Start by asking the model to write an email, or suggest ideas for a video or social media post. From there, test its capabilities, keeping in mind that someone should verify the content to ensure it aligns with your business’s standards. There’s a long list of possibilities that can be achieved with the right oversight.
Some models can also create images from simple prompts, although these are often paid services. While this can be a quick way to generate content, be aware that the images may sometimes look artificial, with real content often performing better. Additionally, ensuring the accuracy of generated content is essential, as there is a lot of misinformation circulating.
In summary, a good way to start using generative AI is to:
But remember to thoroughly check everything for accuracy and appropriateness.
Machine learning and artificial intelligence are often used interchangeably, but machine learning is actually a subset of AI. It can be thought of as a statistical approach that allows algorithms to learn from data.
There are two main types of machine learning. The first is supervised learning, which uses labeled data to learn from and then makes predictions on new, unlabelled data. For example, you could use a regression model to predict sales.
The second type is unsupervised learning, where unlabelled data is analysed to find patterns. For example, a K-means clustering algorithm could be used to segment customers based on their purchases.
Here are the steps to use machine learning in your business:
Machine learning can be more complex and challenging than using generative AI, as finding, cleaning, and analysing data can be difficult and time-consuming. However, there is software available to assist, including many CRM providers. You may also find it beneficial to hire freelancers or consultants to help set up and use these methods effectively.
In summary, both generative AI and machine learning are valuable tools for small businesses. Generative AI can be used relatively cheaply and easily to increase productivity by creating new content, writing emails, or generating reports. However, it's important to check the content for accuracy. Machine learning can provide valuable insights from data, but it can be challenging to set up.