Why AI is more than a technological shift
GlobalScot Cliff Barrie shares his insights on AI as a fundamental reimagining of work, innovation, and human potential. Read on to find out more.
Cliff's professional journey steering teams at major international corporations like Amazon and Toyota has given him a unique perspective of technological transformation.
Here, he discusses why businesses looking to leverage AI need to understand that it's about more than just embedding the tech.
AI in business: navigating the new technological frontier
“In over two decades working in Europe's tech landscape, I've witnessed first hand how artificial intelligence is transforming the business world.
“Far from the apocalyptic job-stealing narrative, AI represents a powerful tool that can reshape how we work, innovate, and solve complex problems.”
The promise of AI
“My journey through blue-chip companies like Amazon and Toyota, as well as SoundHound, a leading innovator in Voice AI, has shown me that AI isn't about replacing humans – it's about empowering them. The key is understanding AI as a collaborative partner, not a replacement.
“Take customer service, for example. At SoundHound, we developed drive-through restaurant solutions where AI manages order taking. But contrary to fears of job losses, it has freed up staff to focus on other tasks like food preparation and providing better customer experiences.”
Where AI adds real value
“The most exciting AI applications aren't about complete automation, but intelligent assistance. AI is great at tackling repetitive and time-consuming tasks, thus freeing employees to focus on more strategic, high-level tasks.
“In fields like medical diagnostics, AI can rapidly analyse massive datasets, helping doctors spot early signs of diseases like cancer or diabetes more efficiently than ever before.
“For businesses, AI's greatest strength is in transforming vast amounts of data, often in real-time, into actionable insights.
"I've seen companies use AI to:
- Generate comprehensive reports, including easy-to-understand visualisations
- Give insights into product demand and emerging business opportunities
- Analyse and streamline complex decision-making processes”
The challenges: bias, privacy, and ethics
“However, AI isn't without significant challenges. Bias remains a major issue. Most current AI systems are trained on datasets that reflect white male stereotypes, which leads to skewed outputs.
“Data privacy is another area of concern. The process of data labelling – where humans categorise information used to train AI models – requires robust safeguards to protect individual privacy.”
Preparing for an AI-powered future
“For professionals, especially students and recent graduates, the message is clear: adaptability is crucial. AI is already starting to impact on pure software engineering roles, particularly for junior and mid-level engineers.
Instead, I would recommend:
- Developing broader skill sets
- Focusing on more strategic roles
- Learning to work alongside AI systems
- Considering degrees in broader fields such as physics or mathematics”
Leadership's critical role
“Business leaders must develop a comprehensive AI strategy that goes beyond technology. This means:
- Creating and communicating a clear vision for AI integration
- Incentivising staff to upskill and devise AI-related initiatives.
- Developing new performance metrics for AI labour
- Establishing robust governance frameworks to ensure AI systems comply with established ethical norms and legal regulations.
The human element remains crucial
“Despite rapid technological advances, human creativity, empathy, and complex reasoning remain irreplaceable. AI is a tool – a powerful one – but human judgment, ethics, and innovation will continue to drive progress.
The future isn't about humans versus AI, but humans and AI working together to solve increasingly complex global challenges.
About GlobalScot
Steven Murray is a member of GlobalScot, a network of influential international professionals designed to share free advice and support to other Scottish businesses.
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