These days, it sometimes feels like we’re living in a 1950’s sci-fi novel. We have virtual personal assistants living in our phones and on our desktops. They remember our favorite pizza toppings, can “sense” when we’ve run out of printer paper and automatically order more, and remind us that our executive’s birthday is just around the corner.
According to a 2016 HubSpot survey, only 37% of respondents claimed they were “very interested” in artificial intelligence (AI) tools. However, a bit more digging revealed that 63% of those surveyed were already using AI tools – without even realizing it.
It’s a brand new world out there, and some people are adapting to it more willingly than others. In the old science fiction novels, the fear was always “robots taking over the world.” In 2018, however, that fear has shifted to “robots taking over our jobs” – and it’s causing many admins to avoid AI technology completely, anxious that AI will render them obsolete.
Take a deep breath. AI won’t replace you if you’re adding value. In fact, utilizing the technology can actually make you more efficient and allow you to get your job done quicker, thus making you even more valuable to your executive and your organization.
AI Eliminates Mundane Tasks
How many times have you been called away from an important project to answer simple questions like, “What are your business hours?” or “How do I do X?”
If you’re like most busy admins, the answer is probably “Way too often.”
Wouldn’t it be nice if you had your own assistant – someone who could focus on the little things while you handle the stuff that really matters? AI has made that possible!
Take Albert, for example. The (literal) brainchild of noHold, he was designed to make your life easier by helping you to create your own virtual assistant who can handle repetitive, time-draining tasks in your stead.
Does your colleague have a quick question about an office procedure? Albert (or whatever you name your new assistant) can answer it for them. Is a client wondering about your pricing or hours of operation? They can get information just by asking – all without you having to stop what you’re doing.
At All Things Admin, our Albert-enabled virtual assistant is named Olivia. She handles your questions when we can’t, allowing you to have 24/7 access to the answers you need.
Automating part of your workload frees you up to spend your time doing the things that AI can’t – which means the most important tasks get the full benefit of your undivided attention.
Beyond Siri, Cortana, Alexa, and Albert
When most admins think AI, they think of virtual assistants. But there’s more to the technology than a cleverly-named, smooth-voiced robot at your beck and call.
Augmented writing tools like Textio can help you strengthen your business communications. AI-driven sales tools such as Clari help you manage risks, forecast revenue, and show you where you should focus your attention. Human resources solutions like Clara can pre-screen potential candidates and book interviews and meetings with very little effort on your end.
Just when you think there’s no end to what AI can do, something else new and fantastic comes out. Need to record a remote meeting and have the minutes automatically transcribed and sent to the attendees? No problem. Looking to analyze a legal contract? AI technology can do that for you, too.
AI Will Never Replace The Innovative Admin™
There’s plenty of talk about AI replacing jobs – you may have heard experts say that it will render 16% of jobs obsolete by the end of the decade.
The Innovative Admin, however, has nothing to fear. AI is reactive. The Innovative Admin is proactive. Proactive assistants always have the advantage.
Consistently develop your skills – especially strategic thinking, problem solving, and collaboration. Go above and beyond for your company. Embrace AI and all that it can offer, rather than shunning it out of stubbornness or anxiety. Learn all you can about new technology. When you set yourself up to remain relevant in the 21st century office, AI will not be able to replace you!
How are you using AI in your admin career? Share your stories with us on our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages., or email us at AdminSuccess@AllThingsAdmin.com!
© 2018 Julie Perrine International, LLC
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Julie Perrine, CAP-OM, is the founder and CEO of All Things Admin, providing training, mentoring and resources for administrative professionals worldwide. Julie applies her administrative expertise and passion for lifelong learning to serving as an enthusiastic mentor, speaker and author who educates admins around the world on how to be more effective every day. Learn more about Julie’s books — The Innovative Admin: Unleash the Power of Innovation in Your Administrative Career and The Organized Admin: Leverage Your Unique Organizing Style to Create Systems, Reduce Overwhelm, and Increase Productivity, and Become a Procedures Pro: The Admin’s Guide to Developing Effective Office Systems and Procedures. And request your free copy of our special report “From Reactive to Proactive: Creating Your Strategic Administrative Career Plan” at www.AllThingsAdmin.com.
