Artificial intelligence is changing the way these 5 industries work — here’s how

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been part of day-to-day life for years. For example, you might open your phone with Face ID or ask Alexa to change the temperature in your home.

So, why are more people talking about AI and its potential impact than ever before? 

The short answer: generative AI.

With generative AI, AI use has grown from processing and analyzing information to creating new content, such as text, images, video, audio, or code.

Generative AI is already starting to impact everyday life. Think:

• Using the chatbot on your bank’s website to get help with your account
• Listening to a personalized song recommendation on Spotify
• Or even taking one of Buzzfeed’s “Infinity Quizzes”

As generative AI continues advancing, you can expect it to make aspects of life simpler and more efficient. This streamlining will likely happen in the workplace, too, which is why companies are quickly adopting new AI tools.

In fact, 88% of organizations are already using generative AI. And 60% of executives say their industries are adopting AI “fast” or “very fast.”

88% of organizations are already using generative AI.

Laying the foundation for data- and AI-led growth, MIT Technology Review Insights, databricks, 2023

Because of AI’s impressive abilities, some fear it will replace jobs. But more likely, AI tools will simply free up workers’ time for tasks that require human skills.

Let’s explore how several major industries are expected to embrace AI — and how you can prepare.

7 ways healthcare workers may soon start using AI

Healthcare systems are already using AI to diagnose patients, streamline patient-doctor communication, and transcribe medical documents.

But there’s more room for AI in the healthcare industry. Here are a few ways healthcare workers could soon start using AI:

1. Administrative tasks: Automation can help with routine tasks like data entry, patient check-ins, and medication refills
2. Diagnostics: Generative AI can help analyze medical images, which can make diagnosing patients faster and more accurate
3. Data analysis: AI can analyze and summarize large amounts of data to understand patients’ preferences and behavior, identify symptoms, and more
4. Patient monitoring: Healthcare workers can use AI devices to remotely monitor patients and receive alerts
5. Patient notifications: AI can automatically follow up with patients to visit their providers and remind them of scheduled appointments.
6. Paperwork: Generative AI can translate doctors’ notes into codified information for electronic medical records or potentially translate discharge paperwork into multiple languages for patients
7. Insurance verification: Using AI to verify health insurance can save workers time and help hospitals decrease unpaid claims

These new AI uses could free up more time to interact with patients and focus on tasks that require creativity, strategy, and other high-value skills.

9 ways retail workers may start using AI

Have you ever used a self-checkout kiosk at your local grocery store? What about curbside pickup or returns? If so, you’ve probably encountered at least one example of AI in retail.

AI is quickly changing how stores operate across the country. It’s just a matter of time before retail workers start using AI in their everyday work.

Here are a few ways some retail workers are starting to use or may start using AI:

1. Customer feedback: AI can analyze large sets of feedback and summarize them into actionable recommendations
2. Cashierless shopping: Stores can replace checkout lines with AI-driven apps and cameras that automatically charge customers when they walk out the door with products
3. Merchandising: AI systems are becoming better at alerting workers of incomplete merchandising jobs
4. Stocking: Stores can use AI to alert workers when certain products are low on the shelves
5. Deliveries: AI-powered robots could handle routine tasks like deliveries, cleaning, or restocking
6. Sales tracking: AI systems can also flag when sales are lower than normal and alert workers to check product displays
7. Predicting demand: AI can analyze large sets of customer data to help predict which products to display and promote
8. Customer recommendations: AI could analyze customers’ buying behavior and browsing history to provide personalized recommendations — or even act as a virtual assistant during shopping trips
9. Finding products: AI can make it easier for workers to respond to customers asking where a certain product is in the store  

AI can save retail workers numerous hours so they can focus on more important work, like interacting with customers.

6 ways manufacturing workers could soon use AI

Manufacturing companies already use AI to an extent — mostly for optimizing supply chains and inventory, predicting demand, and finding efficient delivery routes.

But as AI becomes more advanced, the possibilities within manufacturing are growing. Here are several ways manufacturing workers may start using AI:

1. Line scheduling: By scheduling complex manufacturing lines, AI can save plants time and money and make sure orders reach customers on time
2. Quality control: AI tools like drones can quickly conduct inspections and send data to workers for examination
3. Feedback: Workers can receive feedback from AI on how to improve and resolve problems while on the job
4. Maintenance: AI sensors and apps could alert workers before machines break, avoiding costly repairs and downtime — or even provide real-time instructions on how to fix broken parts
5. Assembly: AI-powered robots could assist assembly workers (responding to their needs and adjusting to their pace) to make lines more efficient
6. Price forecasting: AI can analyze large data sets to predict pricing trends or even set prices automatically

7 ways hospitality workers could soon start using AI

AI is revolutionizing the hospitality industry, too. Hotels already use it to make guest check-ins and check-outs more efficient. And some restaurants use it to predict foot traffic, set prices, and make it easier for customers to order and pay.

That said, there are several other ways hospitality workers may soon use AI:

1. Recommendations: AI could help workers offer customers personalized recommendations or travel add-ons
2. AI concierge: Relying on AI to handle routine concierge tasks could free up workers to focus on more complex customer interactions
3. Food quality: Image recognition could help monitor food safety and quality, alerting workers as soon as food begins to spoil or if it’s undercooked
4. Pricing: AI analysis can assist in dynamic pricing, especially for hotels and other companies that rely on seasonal pricing
5. Guest safety and preferences: Facial recognition tools could be used in place of room cards so customers don’t have to worry about losing them — and help workers recognize guests and their preferences
6. Fraud detection: AI can analyze data from credit card usage, email addresses, and more to alert workers to fraudulent charges
7. Predictive maintenance: AI could predict maintenance issues before they happen (e.g., kitchen appliances, air conditioning and heating systems, pool filters, elevators, etc.)

6 ways financial services workers could use AI in the near future

Banks and other financial services companies have already adopted AI for mobile apps, faster lending decisions, and customer service chatbots. But AI is set to radically change other aspects of the financial service industry.

Here are a few examples:

1. Financial advice: AI models can provide hyper-personalized investment advice and recommend products based on customer behavior, risk preferences, and real-time data
2. Onboarding: AI could streamline the onboarding process by verifying customers’ identities, sending paperwork, setting up accounts, and answering customer questions
3. Customer support: AI can handle routine tasks like password resets, account balance inquiries, money transfers, and appointment scheduling, so customer service representatives can handle more complicated requests
4. Insurance claims: AI could help process insurance claims and detect fraudulent claims
5. Financial planning: AI-powered virtual assistants could help customers make budgets, set financial objectives, and answer financial questions
6. Loan approval: AI could analyze customers’ financial information and credit history to streamline the loan approval process

As AI is used more at work, it’s critical to gain the right skills

One study shows that up to 30% of hours spent on work in the U.S. could be automated by 2030 thanks to generative AI. And most workers (60%) say they need to learn new skills because of AI.

60% of workers say they need to learn new skills because of AI.

“Majority of Workers Report They Need New Skills to Prepare for AI's Future Impact,” Jobs for the Future, 2023

As AI continues to significantly change the way employees work, it’s important to prepare by learning AI basics and AI skills for your industry. Get started with some of the suggestions below.

Research technology trends to find out what skills you should learn

Technology like AI, automation, and data analytics are constantly changing how workers do their jobs. And its impact is different in every industry.

Staying updated on these trends can help you figure out what skills you should focus on gaining. Learning in-demand skills is a great way to:

• Excel in your current role
• Gain a competitive edge when looking for a new role
• Potentially increase your wages

Get up to speed on workplace tech trends by reading business publications, listening to podcasts, joining online communities, or attending conferences.

Get familiar with AI tools to learn how you could use them for work

There are several generative AI tools out there that you can use free of charge. Bard (made by Google) and ChatGPT (made by OpenAI) are a couple of the most popular.

Consider experimenting with these tools — even just for fun — to get a feel for how they work and how they could be useful in your role.

To get started, try coming up with prompts of your own. Or use some of the ones below and change them to match your situation, goals, and interests.

• “Create a meal plan for a family of 3 with a budget of $125 per week. Include a shopping list.”
• “What are the pros and cons of selling my house? What expenses would I need to pay?”
• “What tasks does an IT specialist do? What skills do they need for this role?”
• “Write an outline for a speech about leadership for an audience of small-business owners.”
• “Proofread the following article for grammatical errors: [insert article text].”
• “I’m new to running and want to train for a 10K that’s taking place in 4 months. Create a training regimen to prepare me for the race in time.”

As you can see, there are many ways you can use generative AI. The more you experiment with tools like Bard and ChatGPT, the better you can understand their abilities and limitations.

Enroll in programs that teach you the AI skills you need to reach your career goals

With a quick Google search, you can find articles about how to use AI and specific AI uses in your industry. But to gain an in-depth understanding of AI, you may want to enroll in a program.

Right now, most AI training programs out there require a bachelor’s degree and are aimed at executives or engineers. It can be harder to find programs for workers in non-leadership and non-technical roles.

Recognizing the growing need for more diverse, accessible AI training, Guild recently introduced AI skilling bundles — programs available to employers partnered with Guild to offer to its workers. The programs range from foundational AI information to expertise-level training. 

These various programs cover:

• AI basics
• AI ethics and implications
• How to use AI tools
• How to build AI tools and algorithms
• How to create and scale an AI-driven strategy for organizations

If you’re a Guild member, log into your account to explore programs in AI, tech, or other in-demand areas.