Business leaders are catching the artificial intelligence wave — at least half of all companies anticipate using AI in some capacity in 2024.

AI promises to augment most aspects of business, from research and development, to operations, to acquiring clients or talent. There are specialty AI tools for specific uses, like flying through your inbox faster than ever, or more broad tools that are tailored to an entire department, like Superhuman for Sales. 

So, how can your business use AI to your advantage?

Why use artificial intelligence?

Computers can do some things much better than humans. One of the most obvious benefits of AI is its efficiency when applied to the right tasks: in particular, for data analysis and information generation suited to large language models (LLMs).

In addition to saving time and cost, AI can be far more accurate than humans. In some industries, human error is a major issue, and an opportunity to employ AI to perform tasks more safely.

What are some business applications for artificial intelligence?

Like physical tools, there are certain tools better suited for one type of job. Some tools are best suited for one department, while others can be beneficial company-wide. But what are the business applications of AI that you can put into place today? 

Let's take a look at various departments, to see how artificial intelligence can boost your business:

1. Customer service

Customer service departments frequently use AI-supported chatbots to handle customer inquiries, provide information, and even perform tasks like product customization and handling. 

Chatbots can integrate with your business's technology systems and processes, and handle everything from scheduling to checking order statuses and warranty claims. 

A major benefit of an AI chatbot is its ability to handle inquiries 24/7. Providing immediate responses can make for a quicker and smoother interaction for the customer, and save the customer service team time and money. 

Your customers get their questions answered quickly and accurately. Your customer service team can then spend time focusing on the more complex questions or escalated issues. This reduces strain on your staff, particularly during times when you get a spike in customer inquiries.

2. Sales and marketing

Artificial intelligence can give a substantial boost to your sales and marketing teams. Marketing automation software can use AI to analyze a user's behavior and deliver more personalized content to boost sales rates. Campaign parameters can be set for A/B testing, open rates, click-through rates, and site behavior. 

Sales departments can improve their efficiency with AI prospecting tools, and AI-powered email like Superhuman, which can improve outreach and shorten deal cycles. Superhuman AI can write, summarize, draft replies, and more. You can write a full email just based on an idea — give us a few phrases, and we'll turn them into an email that matches the voice and tone of previous emails you've sent. Auto Summarize gives you 1-line summary of whole emails or threads, giving you instant insight into a deal. And Ask AI is a revolutionary way to search. Teams move faster and collaborate more effectively with Superhuman. 

3. Analytics

As your company grows, it collects more and more data which can be put to use in growing your business. 

However, this data can become complex, and analyzing it can become a challenge. AI tools can analyze large datasets, helping you to identify trends and opportunities. AI can also correct errors and identify inaccuracies in your data. Data cleaning tools can help maintain accurate and usable data, helping your team make better decisions. 

4. Operations

AI can support various aspects of general operations, including supply chain optimization. Demand forecasting and managing inventory, in particular, can benefit from AI — even marginal improvements can have big revenue and cost impacts. 

Operations can also see large benefits from AI to automate highly repetitive tasks like processing invoices, fulfilling orders, and unit sorting. It can also be used for logistical operations such as route planning and scheduling.

5. Human resources and recruiting

Human resources departments frequently use AI for recruitment — for example, to filter resumes to remove biases in candidate selection. 

AI tools can then be used to schedule interviews, handling all aspects of setting meetings and emailing candidates before and after. Once an employee has been selected, AI tools can also help streamline onboarding by managing paperwork, training, and orientation scheduling. 

For ongoing human resources tasks, there are tools that can help with maintaining the day-to-day operations. Artificial intelligence can be used to survey employees for feedback and gauge morale. AI can also assist with payroll, benefits, and compliance tasks by automating certain steps in the process and organizing resources. 

Implementing AI in human resources can help you see a reduction in errors and help your team keep up with timely, accurate payments.

AI-powered email: save hours every week 

Around 28% of the average professional's workday is spent working with emails. That's a big opportunity to implement AI.

Superhuman is the fastest email experience ever made. Our customers now get through their email twice as fast as before, reply 2 days sooner, and save more than 4 hours every single week. Together, they have sent over 340 million messages and have saved more than 30 million hours.