DEV Community: Sandeep Gundla

The Importance of Conversational AI in Retail

Sandeep Gundla — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 09:08:39 +0000

The rising E-commerce marketing and giants like Amazon and Alibaba have quickly shaped the retail industry with the help of digitization. How consumers used to buy and how the retail industry is functioning now, are different. With rising competition, consumers should not avoid the significance of conversational AI in retail.

On top of digitalization, the Covid-19 pandemic played a huge role in accelerating the growth of online mediums for the retail industry. There is a whole different pattern that consumers now follow when it comes to online shopping. To meet the demands of consumers, digital retailers are heavily relying on AI and its pivotal role in directing all the retail operations globally.

Let's look at some of the major features of conversational AI that are important for the Retail Industry.

24/7 Access for Consumers

As a consumer, nobody wants to have limited access to facilities and especially in a fast-paced world. Consumers now expect a 24/7 engagement with brands they like to purchase from. For brands, it is important to serve consumers on time to maintain a repute among the masses. This is where conversational AI links these two mediums. With 24/7 accessibility that links both consumers and the brands to have a perfect shopping experience.

Retailers are adopting AI-powered chatbots and voice bots to answer customer queries related to products and deliveries. Because of their advanced digital capabilities, these bots are quick to send accurate responses to consumers giving them a feeling of the brand to consumer interaction.

Insights with AI Data-Mining for Better Operations

There is huge traffic in the retail sector and with more and more retail platforms emerging, this traffic will likely increase in the future. A lot of data is accumulated in minutes from the consumer which is followed by their inquiries and requests daily.

With AI assistants in retail, it is to compile, observe and deduct valuable data results upon consumer behaviors for better shopping experiences. This data result can be based upon previous interactions with the platform and also the recent ones. Artificial intelligence can do this due to the smart integration with mobile applications that consumers use. This helps in providing a complete overview of what's trending in the market and what's not.

Integration of Online & Physical Retail

Conversational AI links all the bridges between online and physical retail. The best example of this is the pandemic period where many people ordered their desired products online which they previously used to purchase physically.

Furthermore, strategies like home delivery and self-pick services were also available for people. The conversational AI boosted consumer traffic by allowing them to visit and check their products both online and offline. This step alone engaged many customers on retail platforms. Consumers were able to see inventories, they were able to avail of discount coupons, and have promotional deals. On top of this AI further introduced them to seasonal collections to insist they reach out to different stores and brands.

Interactive Content Consumption

Wherever you surf online you will see a gigantic amount of content. Most of it is fed to you by different retail platforms. This is a top digital development that happened in the retail sector globally. Platforms utilize content to drive profits from consumers.

When people use their mobiles specifically to search products, retail platforms analyze the products and later prefer the top reviewed brands to buy from. This mobile internet consumer traffic indirectly helps to promote retail platforms. Prime examples can be Google, Youtube, and Facebook. Youtube now displays retail prices of products due to Google's testing and data analysis. The positive side of this is consumers can buy the best when it comes to their desired items. This is all done by conversational Ai present in the retail sector.

Conversational AI is frequently guiding users in shopping and analyzing and reviewing suitable items. Chatbots and voice bots on the other hand provide helpful virtual insights to confirm user purchases.

AI-powered Virtual Assistants Increase Profitability

By now you would have understood what conversational AI has been doing in the retail sector and a lot of the credit for the rise of retail platforms goes to AI. The other most important area where conversational AI is currently assisting consumers is the availability of virtual assistants.

These virtual assistants analyze the queries and behaviors of the consumers and send them to relevant mediums. This helps in analyzing consumer patterns and improves the shopping experiences on retail platforms. Virtual assistants send personalized alerts and promotional deals to consumers for profitability. This helps in completing the best user and platform interference.

These virtual assistants help in generating customized data reports, consumer tasks, relevant updates, generating completing and unifying disparate systems, and contributing towards a better and fast retailing experience.

AI-powered Drones: How are they changing the way we operate and what we can expect in the future?

Sandeep Gundla — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 13:07:25 +0000

Artificial intelligence is a concept that the majority of the population is unfamiliar with (AI). As a result, many of them had no idea what it was or how it may affect their enterprises. In their businesses, they didn't know how to apply AI because they were aware of its potential to alter existing business processes.

Because it's still largely unknown to the general public, artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to alter nearly every aspect of our daily lives fundamentally. One of the most valuable tools for integrating information, analyzing and using data, and making better judgments is a wide-ranging one. AI is already changing the world and presenting significant challenges for society, the economy, and government, and we want to explain how this is already happening in the world.

What role do artificial intelligence drones play in the transformation of the world?

AI Drones are now being used in defense and the military:

Armed forces have employed drones for more than a decade; however, small, portable drones are now being utilized by ground personnel regularly as well. The Predator uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) is one of the best-known drones in the world. It is anticipated that military investment in this technology would increase as a percentage of military budgets, implying that drone makers and software developers will have a better chance of making money.

Another application for AI drones is conservation:

Animals throughout the world are suffering from the effects of poaching and climate change. To counter this trend, environmentalists are devising new strategies for safeguarding and studying the planet's ecosystems. Drones are being utilized to monitor and track wildlife in addition to geospatial imagery.

In the Ocean Alliance, drones (such as the marine SnotBot) have been utilized to collect samples. Conservationists can use drones to fight poachers and conduct studies into ecosystems, both of which can benefit from their use.

AI drones are also used to keep diseases at bay:

Researchers can also use animal tracking to track disease. A team from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine used thermal imaging cameras on drones to monitor the movements of macaques in the Philippines' Palawan area. Malaria is a big concern in this region of the country.

We learned more about the transmission of infectious diseases from animals to humans thanks to tracking these creatures. Microsoft uses drone technology when it needs to capture and test mosquitoes for infections. People in the area could benefit from this information, and it could also be used to prevent epidemics from forming in the future.

AI drones are used as an emergency response:

Drone usage has increased significantly as a result of advances in camera technology. Emergency responders can now locate persons who are difficult to spot with the naked eye, thanks to uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) outfitted with thermal imaging cameras.

To assist first responders, drone manufacturers provide them with drones and equipment, as well as technical support. Startups and academic institutions alike are developing solutions to aid in the discovery and rescue of lost or stranded individuals.

AI drone is also being applied in the medical field:

For most people in the world, modern medicine has had a significant impact on preventing sickness, increasing life expectancy, and improving overall well-being. Some of the world's most remote regions still lack adequate health care services. In some cases, drones could be utilized to deliver drugs, blood, and medical equipment fast.

AI drones are also used in farming:

Farmers around the world are constantly looking for ways to reduce their costs and enhance their yields, regardless of their location. Data may be gathered, tedious processes automated, and more efficient work can be done with drones and digital technologies that power them.

Using drones to cultivate crops is another area where their use is on the rise. Drones can speed up and simplify this labor-intensive, time-consuming, and meticulous process. The pollination of flowers by drones has been attempted in the past as part of a scientific study. The dwindling bee population could benefit from this strategy in the future.

AI drones can also be used to deliver food:

Fast-food chains can shrink their physical stores and save money on real estate by using online ordering and delivery services. Still, the commission fees they charge for these services are reducing their profitability. Some restaurants consider using drones to deliver food quickly and at a lower cost.

AI drones can also be used to generate energy:

Fossil fuels have waned in popularity, yet they remain a vital energy source for millions of people worldwide. The infrastructure for oil and gas production, processing, and transportation must be scrutinized to ensure that it complies with all applicable laws and regulations.

Many of these tasks may now be completed from a safe distance, thanks to the widespread use of drones. Using thermal sensors and high-definition cameras, certain drones can discover leaks faster than a human and address some problems that can be solved remotely.

AI drones are also used in sports:

Televised sports were revolutionized by Skycam, which was an automated camera that was suspended from a cable-driven, computerized transportation system. In a manner that traditional, fixed cameras cannot, the camera allows you to see things in an entirely new way. In today's professional arena sports broadcasts, a Skycam is a necessity.

Outside of the stadium, drones are becoming increasingly common in professional sports. Vermeer's live sports broadcasting service has been used in several live and taped television shows.

The final words:

The buzz of a camera-mounted drone is nothing new, but ask any farmer, and they'll tell you that the sound of a swarm is a bad omen. Miniature Pilotless Aircraft (MPAs) or Flying Mini Robots (FMRs) can be utilized for a variety of purposes outside of the military, such as transportation, distribution, and photography, all of which provide significant benefits to humans.

Robots could serve people who have been isolated. However, the idea of autonomous systems watching autonomous systems and responding does not sit well with many people.

The Role of Blockchain in Powering the NFT Revolution

Sandeep Gundla — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 11:38:06 +0000

NFTs are going to be the future face of successful cryptocurrencies.

With this statement, there's nothing wrong with making another prediction. That is, the growth and revolution of NFTs entirely depend upon Blockchain development services.

Non-Fungible Tokes or NFTs are a certification of your art-based digital assets. Whether it's audio clips, funky art pieces, video clips, images, games, or animated characters, blockchain technology has brought dynamism to the field of arts.

Each NFT holds a digital certification or TokenID created while you create or mint a specific piece of art. Now every token upholds versatile forms of data or assets.

Blockchain integration is the blessing behind NFT-empowerment! NFTs have evolved to such a level that they provide royalties to the artists that weren't possible otherwise.

Is Blockchain Responsible for NFTs Evolution? | Blockchain Integration to Evolve NFTs

Before going beyond the bouts of success NFTs are enjoying over the past few months, make yourself familiar with the essential royalties NFTs get from blockchain marketing.

NFTs are immutable!

The linking properties of a cryptographic blockchain make Non-fungible tokens immutable. Thus, NFTs hold provenance because they are accessible to anyone in the Blockchain. Provenance is justified in terms of the transaction details NFTs are enclosed with. For more details, check out this informative Guide to Non-Fungible Tokens.

NFTs as Actual Content Ownership.

Since NFTs are generated by the time a creator mint an art project. Thus, wherever it will flow in the market, it will be stamped with the original creator's name. Similarly, NFTs are traded with discrete ownership through crypto-wallets.

NFTs for a fair compensation system.

Whenever your NFTs flow in the market, you get a calculated share out of it. Thus, Blockchain compensates for the third party while undercutting prior sales.

NFTs as platforms for creators!

Previously, there wasn't any creator-confined economy system for the artists, as they were relying on 2.0 platforms for promoting their artwork. But through the Blockchain-led NFT revolution, decentralized finance (de-fi) has enabled an entirely unfettered creator economy that is low-friction.

The Statistical Revolution of NFTs| How NFTs Stats Evolved through Blockchain Technology?

It will be hypothetical to conclude that, among other cryptocurrencies, 2021 was the era of NFTs. It all started with around $250 million net assets worth and ended in $2.8 billion by August 25, 2021.

You'll be astonished to learn that, until now, there have been more than 470,000 transactions for the last 30 days. And all of them are made from identical blockchain wallet addresses.

At the start of the year, NFTs made their evolution through sports highlights, trading cards, GIF animations, illustration images, video games, and whatnot. For instance, 'CROSSROADS animated GIF' was auctioned at $6.6 million. Whereas, after the mid-year, NFTs boomed through other forms of arts such as movies, music, fashion, avatars, gaming collectibles, virtual pets, etc.

This is just the beginning of the NFTs era; watch for a more dynamic upshift in 2022.

Game Changers 2021 / esports Event for Promoting NFTs

Other than that, NFTs are also bringing forth experimental projects. The prosperity of these projects will be entirely based upon the responses from the NFTs fandom. For instance, Verizon launched its first public beta this summer in Game Changers 2021. This launch aimed to enhance fan experiences and make NFTs flourish without boundaries.

Inside the highly anticipated eSports gala, there was a special recognition and mentorship space for women's elevation. Women and other groups presented their holographic captures while having a victory dance, along with a separate NFT linked with their autographs.

This unique concept gave rise to people's increased concern towards NFTs related to their idols, as famous global athletes were also present at the fair.

Thus, Blockchain led NFTs to create phenomenal marketing spaces by generating unique ideas and trading concepts.

Are NFTs successful enough to Dissolve Digital Content Dilemmas?

After a huge fan following and being on the news for the past few months, this creator-led platform has also given rise to other technical concerns. That includes the digital replication or safety of an asset.

If it was a physical platform, it's nearly tough to replicate an art. In comparison, a digital platform is where anything can happen, anytime!

To resolve this issue, NFTs have created significant identification or detecting capabilities. It isn't easy to trace out copies or replicate content through these. Similarly, a large-scale flow of assets makes them worthless. This is another dilemma that most artists feel concerned about.

However, NFTs have integrated strategic planning towards creating a finite or fixed number of copies to retain the value of digital assets.

In a nutshell, the NFTs revolutionary period is all due to the blockchain integration it holds! Nevertheless, there's no way to make such an explosive evolution for any digital content

How IoT Helped Manufacturing Units Stay Productive Through the Pandemic

Sandeep Gundla — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 05:03:54 +0000

Unprecedented times such as the coronavirus pandemic brought in changes worldwide. The widespread adoption of innovative technologies has been one of the most evident changes across various industries. In order to lessen human interaction and still be able to get the work done, these innovative technologies such as IoT, AI, and so on, have delivered the desired results. IoT predominantly has been the key to unlocking newer possibilities and helping business continuity for industries worldwide. Factories and manufacturing units in order to ramp up production due to sudden increase in demand, maintain social distancing on shop-floor and remote management of operations, sought to move to IoT applications in manufacturing and other digital capabilities to do so.

IoT in manufacturing

IoT is playing a pivotal role in Industry 4.0. Smart manufacturing is taking the world by storm and manufacturing giants are adopting it to take advantage of its benefits. The global smart manufacturing market is growing at an incredible rate owing to the possibilities it brings forward for the manufacturing industry to play upon. Smart manufacturing is an amalgamation of technologies such as AI, blockchain, robotics, and more, and all these coupled with IoT are helping solve business problems and drive greater results thus creating the buzz out there.

Responsiveness and agility in the supply chain, better-informed decisions, easy and early detection of errors/defects, are some of the advantages of bringing in technologies such as IoT into manufacturing. The best advantage, however, during times such as Covid, was how these technologies lessen human intervention and perform tasks with better competence and superiority than humans could, given the need of the hour was also to keep humans safer and less involved with any tasks. ERP and IoT together allow for increased efficiency, as they bring forward better inventory management, smoother functioning of business operations as well as minimizing labor-intensive tasks. IoT in manufacturing also deals with the logistics and optimization of the supply chain. It also ramps up production. The motorcycle giant Harley Davidson for example, anchored on IoT in manufacturing and was able to drive eye-catching results of being able to downsize the production time of one bike from 21 days to 6 hours!

Problems brought about by the pandemic

Operations, distribution, communication and so many more processes were affected when Covid-19 hit the world. Factories were shut down, capacities were affected, extreme demand-supply fluctuations arose, creating complete chaos. Some common issues that had to be managed were:

Manual quality checks replacement

Managing productivity

Meeting fluctuating demands

Lessen human intervention

Optimizing supply chain and logistics

Remotely controlling the operations

Along with these issues, maintaining the safety of the personnel working on the manufacturing shop floor was a task to handle. Not only people, but the safety of products had to be ensured as it would reach the end customer and the easily spreading virus too if not taken care of. Ensuring and maintaining safety measures meant that it would slow down the manufacturing process, in turn, the capacity as well as productivity. Reducing the personnel from these processes would also affect the productivity levels and obvious time to figure out and adjust to newer measures. According to Fortune media, 94% of 1000 fortune companies witnessed supply chain disruptions during Covid-19. The labor shortage was also an obvious risk and outcome as most states were under lockdown and factories could not run with 100% labor capacities to ensure safety. The pandemic also led to fluctuations in demand for certain products, with some of them facing sky-rocketing demands such as food majorly, and some of them reaching an all-time low in terms of demand.

Thus, Covid-19 definitely shook up the entire industry and led to a lot of changes and adjustments to cope with the uncertainty and severity of the prevailing conditions.

How IoT implementations helped businesses overcome problems

Regular safety and temperature checks were made easier with IoT-controlled access points, which also reduced manual effort and human interruption to do so.

IoT sensors also enabled organizations to check the number of people/movement on each shop floor and give alerts if any discrepancy occurred.

IoT sensors helped to check for any defects in production processes that could be monitored remotely. These sensors also facilitated easier maintenance by assigning sensors for any fluctuations in desired temperatures, power consumption, and so on and kept the equipment and machinery running with optimum efficiency.

Overall operational efficiency was boosted as productivity levels were managed better than before. Better informed decision-making resulted in desired outcomes and improved productivity.

IoT and cloud-based applications allowed for easy communication, storage, transfer of data, thereby facilitating better communication in times where meeting in person was not possible.

Wearable devices powered by IoT helped in maintaining social distancing as well as in collecting information required for monitoring activities.

Manual data collection was replaced by IoT-powered sensors and algorithms that reduced human intervention by a huge amount. This gave real-time insights into operations and conditions which eased out the managing of these processes and improved productivity. These algorithms also helped in checking on quality, figuring out any errors so that immediate action could be taken.

Statistics on IoT adoption during the pandemic and after it

Per a Marketsandmarkets finding, the global impact of Covid-19 on IoT market size is forecasted to grow from USD 150 billion in 2019 to USD 243 billion in 2021 with a CAGR of 13.7% during the period. The same report also stated the reasons for this growth to be the rising need for remote working, minimizing human contact, and demand for wearable devices. According to NASSCOM, the manufacturing industry was one of the top industries to see major developments in IoT adoption. It also reports that Industrial IoT will see the highest investments in the coming 5 years. As per an Industrial IoT survey Iotworldtoday, 84% of the respondents/organizations reported that they either began or intended to accelerate IoT adoption during Covid to cope with the uncertain disruptions.

In 2020, a Gartner report revealed that despite the disruptive impact of covid-19, 47% of the organizations planned to increase their investments in IoT. Mckinsey also reported that companies that had adopted IoT prior to covid-19 had better responsiveness to the crisis and were better positioned for it as well. This clearly states that IoT applications in manufacturing can be transforming in the best way possible.

Conclusion (the future)

IoT in manufacturing has been and will continue to digitally transform the traditional approaches as well as the operations, functioning, and processes of manufacturing for the better. Adaptability and flexibility to be able to adjust and win over any uncertainties and crises such as Covid-19 has only made the intent to deploy technologies such as IoT into one’s business operations stronger.

IoT applications are being deployed by manufacturers worldwide, owing to its benefits and our extensively curated IoT landscape report 2021 throws light on how this is happening. It gives an in-depth view of how IoT is transforming the manufacturing industry and how it can be implemented to derive the desired solutions for your organization.

By now most organizations around the world have understood the need for IoT in manufacturing as also stated by this survey IoTworldtoday where 52% of the respondents feel that the importance of IoT in dealing with business and operational challenges has been established during the pandemic. Further innovations that are yet to take place in the field of smart manufacturing and IoT applications such as advancements in 5G adoption, digital twin technology and so on that will help us deal with and stand stronger in case of any future challenges.