How to Harness the Power of Artificial Intelligence to Gain a Competitive Edge

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just an intriguing concept—it is a valuable business asset for every entrepreneur. AI is advancing rapidly across a variety of applications, from email sequencing based on user behavior and targeted pop-ups to intelligent chatbots and even analyzing employee satisfaction internally.

AI can be leveraged to improve customer retention, Net Promoter Score (NPS), sales closing rates, and lead qualification. While it’s difficult to predict AI’s exact role in the next decade, it already plays a significant part in daily business operations and can be equally valuable for your business both now and in the future. Here are four ways to utilize AI for business advantage:

1. Emotion Analysis

Annette Zimmermann stated in 2018 that “by 2022, your personal devices will know your emotions better than your family members.”

Emotion AI, or affective computing, refers to AI’s ability to detect human emotions and respond accordingly. Although not yet perfect, this technology is evolving quickly. A study from Ohio University reported that AI can now detect human emotions more accurately than humans—a remarkable achievement considering how long it has taken human evolution to reach this point.

Emotionally intelligent bots are poised to transform business operations. Imagine AI analyzing the emotions of online viewers, tailoring email sequences, or adjusting customer support interactions automatically based on the user’s mood. Research of 1,400 popular ad campaigns over 30 years shows that ads triggering human emotions generate substantial profits.

The question is: what could happen if you could evoke the right emotion at the right time?

2. Customer Support

Efficiency is vital, but customer support is even more critical in situations where people demand instant answers. Delivering high-quality support can lead to future revenue by increasing customer satisfaction.

According to the Temkin Group, improving customer experience can significantly boost revenue. Their research shows that NPS strongly correlates with customers’ willingness to pay more, try new products or services, forgive past mistakes, and become loyal clients.

Companies like Forethought have leveraged AI in customer support. Their tool, Agatha Answers, is an enterprise plug-in solution that can be implemented in just two days, increasing support efficiency by up to 30%. It provides accurate responses, reduces resolution time, and enhances staff productivity.

Business Insider reports that 33% of Americans have had poor customer service experiences, emphasizing the growing role AI will play in shaping future customer support.

3. Increase Sales and Generate Leads

AI is driving revenue and lead generation, particularly in B2B sales. Harvard Business Review reports that AI can reduce cold-calling time by up to 70% while increasing qualified leads by 50%. Some sources estimate that 85% of sales-related tasks could be outsourced to AI by 2020.

Tools like LeadFuze use AI to optimize sales prospecting by automatically gathering verified leads from multiple sources, creating complete lists of qualified prospects, and reducing research time. Businesses leveraging AI-driven lead generation can focus more on actual selling, potentially generating billions in revenue annually.

4. Smarter Talent Acquisition

Recruiting the right talent can be a frustrating process. Online job boards like Indeed or Monster help find candidates, but sorting through thousands of applications is time-consuming. AI solutions can streamline this process.

According to an Eightfold survey of 1,000 executives, 78% of businesses view talent acquisition as “critically important,” yet only 44% successfully find the right candidates. Eightfold’s Talent Intelligence platform addresses this by reducing interview time, filtering relevant applicants, minimizing selection bias, and managing recruitment workflows efficiently—all through a single interface.

The faster you identify the right talent, the quicker your business can grow and succeed.