< Previous30 Business Link www.blmforum.net IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS A rtificial Intelligence is here to stay. While many can – and are – debating the merits and ethics of the technology, there’s no putting this back into the box and pretending it never existed. The technology is now here and fast becoming a familiar part of our lives, and businesses who refuse to accept or adapt to the fact will be left behind by those who do. In many ways, this is reminiscent of the development of the internet. Go back 40 years and some businesses felt that the online world would never catch on, and did little to invest in their own websites, believing that the fad would not go anywhere. Now, that sentiment is unheard of, even comical, and yet many local businesses are adopting similar policies towards AI. We personally believe there is more that AI can and will do to harm society than help it, with scammers and criminals likely to make more use out of it than almost any demographic. That doesn’t change the fact it’s here, however, or that legitimate businesses and industry are starting to use it. Already, the pharmaceutical industry is using it to look through thousands of images and cell samples, and tech firms are using it to streamline algorithms and even assist with coding. Recruitment companies are screening via AI even though it’s been shown to be both flawed and biased in who it picks. Like it or not, businesses are using it – and so are consumers. There are currently a lot of problems with AI, not least of all its price. The technology is still Left in the AI is a part of our future whether we like it or not, and while some companies are grasping the opportunities, others are risking their future on a wait and see approach. 32 Áwww.blmforum.net Business Link 31 IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS © stock.adobe.com/phonlamaiphoto dust 32 Business Link www.blmforum.net IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS new and there isn’t a great infrastructure behind it, especially when it comes to skilled technicians. Universities are scrambling to offer AI courses, but that will take time to pay off. In the meantime, this means AI services offered by third parties are rather expensive. Some of this may be inflated value as well, as a lot of these services are based off AI models provided by other companies – such as ChatGPT. Businesses are using the lack of expertise in AI to sell it at extortionate rates, believing – often correctly – that the customer business won’t have enough experience to call them out on the unrealistic costs. Even then, there’s a possibility that those costs might be worth paying. Searching online reveals many companies offering AI sales assistants, literally AI systems that will cold-call and sell services and products to customers for other companies. While these are unlikely to be able to fully adapt to the range and breadth of questions a human sales rep could, they can do a lot of the heavy lifting and then pass the call on through to a human rep once the customer is warmed up. In a sense, this could remove the cold-call element of a sales rep’s job, making sure every customer being put through to them is at least a little warm to the idea of buying the product. In manufacturing, AI can be used to monitor processes and perform quality control – though, again, it’s worth remembering that this isn’t likely to be at the stage where it can replace human operators. Instead, the AI would serve to make their job easier and provide a second cautious eye. In high-quantity manufacturing, like food and drink, computer systems are already being used to scan and check tens of thousands of products per day, so incorporating AI into the process won’t be too difficult. There are dangers, however. There are plenty of stories of AI gone wrong – and less in the genocidal manner than the controversial one. From AI chatbots on Google suggesting that people should “eat at least one large rock a day to stay healthy” to AI-powered recruitment filtering out candidates of ethnic minorities because it is drawing inspiration from racist websites and propaganda, there is potential for AI to run rampant. In most cases this is a case of GIGO, or Garbage-in Garbage-out. To put it simply, AI draws from sources online for much of its information, acting like a glorified search engine, but that also means it can draw from satirical or hateful sources without realising they’re not to be trusted for accurate information. This can be potentially damaging for a company’s reputation, especially if the AI is used in some front- facing operation where it deals with consumers. Still, it’s worth remembering that these issues will be ironed out in time, as issues with the internet have been. It’s an ongoing process but billions are being invested into AI and the technology is going to shape our future whether we like it or not. It’ll also shape our legal scene, forcing governments to change laws and create new ones to control how it’s being used. The issue is that companies adopting a “wait and see” approach to AI will be left in the dust by those aggressively asking how it can benefit their company. © stock.adobe.com/Timonwww.blmforum.net Business Link 33 CORPORATE HOSPITALITY Not many people enjoy going to events and talking to new people, but it’s undeniable that there are some who come away with plenty of business from it. Demystifying the process is the first step to benefiting from it. A ttending a professional networking event can be a valuable chance to showcase yourself, forge fresh connections, and potentially secure a new job. According to recent studies, a significant proportion of job vacancies are filled via networking. To succeed at networking, it’s crucial to show genuine interest in your contacts and put in the effort to build a rapport, demonstrate your trustworthiness, and exchange information and expertise. Adopting the mindset that every person has something to offer and to gain can be instrumental in becoming an accomplished networker. Before attending the event, it’s prudent to ensure you are as up to date on your industry as possible. Doing some research, perhaps even attending a few seminars, will prevent you from feeling out of your depth. This will mean that you can bring more value to conversations with your peers, thus attracting the attention of high-quality individuals. events Profiting from © stock.adobe.com/Rawpixel.com 34 Á34 Business Link www.blmforum.net CORPORATE HOSPITALITY When approaching someone for the first time, first impressions matter. There are some simple etiquette tips to bear in mind. Firstly, ensure that you are appropriately dressed – a white button up shirt, dark trousers and a matching blazer work well on both men and women. To show a little more personality, shirts in jewel tones such as deep red and green can help you stand out, whilst remaining perfectly professional. Secondly, keep your right hand free for a handshake when approaching someone. Having to shuffle papers to free your hands can create awkwardness and gives an impression of being disorganised. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly in this modern world, follow up your discussion on LinkedIn or social media. The best networkers hone their relationships over long periods of time, never expecting the person to perfectly recall their meeting. Reaching out over social media within a few days, including a brief recap of your chat, will help the person to recall you and appreciate your continued interest in them. Some good will is also required here – allow around a week for the person to return your message to avoid coming across as pushy. For more seasoned professionals, online networking can seem unnecessary, or sometimes new-fangled and elusive. This attitude could be costing you many opportunities. Establishing a robust online presence on professional networking sites can prove advantageous in attracting like-minded individuals and drawing the attention of recruiters. Ensure that your profile stays up to date, encompassing all relevant experience, interests, education, and qualifications. This practice can foster new career prospects and propel career advancement. Creating an online network can be equally valuable as establishing one in real life, affording opportunities for professional growth and expansion. Social media and professional networking www.blmforum.net Business Link 35 CORPORATE HOSPITALITY platforms are frequently employed by professionals to cultivate their networks. If you have a long-standing social media presence, you may already possess contacts in your network with whom you can form more profound connections. Initiating your networking endeavours online can also open doors to a much larger pool of individuals in diverse locations, enabling you to connect with people who may be otherwise unapproachable in person. For instance, you can leverage social media to re- establish contact with former classmates who may be operating in your industry. The wider pool of contacts is especially important when you consider that the best networking should be done based on the quality, rather than the quantity, of the people you connect with. This means seeking out individuals who have the ability to make a difference, often through mentorship. When seeking out a mentor, ensure you thoroughly research them, and explain why helping you would be beneficial to them. This knowledge can help you identify ways to add value to their professional life, leading to higher quality connections. This could be your unique perspective on their line of work or assured future loyalty. Ultimately, networking should be approached in a similar way to making new friends. Lasting relationships require compatible personalities and a give and take attitude, so putting your best foot forward is paramount. Whilst personal topics would not generally be appropriate within the first 4-5 meetings, letting your personality shine through allows your contacts to understand your unique assets and feel invested in seeing them develop. The best way to achieve this is to combine a well-rounded sense of humour with a genuine passion for your industry. Keep on top of developments within your field and share your opinions on them. This way, you don’t have to awkwardly pitch your greatness to contacts, they’ll be able to see it for themselves. © stock.adobe.com/Monkey Business36 Business Link www.blmforum.net AUTOLINK Exciting options New and exciting cars coming onto the market in the latter half of this year, some rarer than others. www.blmforum.net Business Link 37 AUTOLINK BMW M5 The BMW M5 is powering into a new era. 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Standard specification for the new seventh generation BMW M5 brings features such as front collision warning, Lane Departure Warning including lane return with steering assistance, the Evasion Assistant, the Attentiveness Assistant and the Speed Limit Info system. The optional Driving Assistant Professional adds Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function together with tech including the Steering and Lane Control Assistant, traffic light detection, automatic Speed Limit Assist and Active Navigation. BMW M538 Business Link www.blmforum.net AUTOLINK Aston Martin Valiant Valiant continues a strong lineage of Aston Martins that deliver true driving intensity both on-road and on-track with the ultimate hypercar, Valkyrie, the brand’s most focused sports car, Vantage and its brother in speed, the Vantage GT3 race car and of course the upcoming mid-engine supercar, Valhalla. 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D Davies Turner Aston Martin Valiantwww.blmforum.net Business Link 39 AUTOLINK Audi S e-tron GT The new Audi S etron GT stands for elegant sportiness. Its front end is homogeneous and expressive at the same time. A black mask encircles the fully closed, inverted Singleframe, which reflects the specific design language of the etron models. Embossed structures give the grille a precise, three- dimensional appearance. The new e-tron GT versions have a steering wheel flattened at the top and bottom. For the RS models, the steering wheel comes with two red control satellites and, optionally, a 12 o’clock marking. The seats have also been upgraded. The new funnel aperture design is more dynamic and now features an integrated inlay with an illuminated logo. The S e-tron GT now comes as standard with the sports seats plus with 14-way adjustment. In combination with the leather-free design package, the sports seats come with contrasting orange stitching. 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