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AI and KM; What's Ahead with New Technologies and KM Systems

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AI and KM; What's Ahead with New Technologies and KM Systems

May 28, 2024   |  By
KMI Guest Blogger Autumn Morales

Information processing has changed significantly on our part due to breakthroughs in artificial intelligence concepts. It's projected that AI will add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. AI core technologies allow machines to learn from experience, analyze patterns, and make decisions without the necessary human intervention. 

On the other hand, knowledge management is concerned with organizing and maintaining an organization’s knowledge resources to increase productivity and creativity. This is all about capturing, storing the information, and sharing it, making sure it is readily available when needed. AI has already revolutionized knowledge management by automating processes and improving decision-making. Let’s examine how the concept is reshaping our understanding of knowledge management.

Key Technologies in AI for Knowledge Management

Machine Learning

Machine learning is perhaps the most essential AI technology in knowledge management as it enables systems to identify patterns in large quantities of data and use them to make predictions. Some of the successful ML use in KM systems include the following:

  • Customer support systems. Here, ML algorithms analyze the patterns present in customer queries and then provide help to individuals seeking the same using knowledge from the previous inquiries.
  • Predictive maintenance. In the manufacturing sector, ML models use data regarding equipment’s historical performance to predict when a failure is likely to occur.
  • Document classification. Here, ML is used to generate document descriptions which are later used in document retrieval.

Natural Language Processing

Natural language processing helps in knowledge extraction and management since it enables the identification of insights in text from large repositories of information. The following are noteworthy NLP-related tools used in KM:

  • Text analytics. This tool helps in identifying the themes in text, which is used in finding knowledge from a database.
  • Sentiment analysis. It is a text tool that computer analysts use to understand text sentiment and is important in your knowledge repository.
  • Chatbots. Here NLP is employed to read inputs and generate the appropriate response to the same.

Expert Systems

Expert systems are AI systems that emulate human ability to make decisions. The two main sections of an expert system are the knowledge base and the inference engine. Examples of professional systems used in decision making and problem solving in KM include:

Implementing AI in Knowledge Management Systems

Automated Content Management

Intelligent Content Curation

AI enables the automatic sorting, tagging, and categorizing of digital content, which fits into the concept of intelligent content curation. Machine learning algorithms analyze content to identify the most relevant tags and categories. For instance, Adobe Experience Manager platform automatically tags images based on the characteristic content of each image.

Dynamic Personalization Engines

The term refers to using AI models to dynamically tailor user experiences and knowledge delivery based on individual behavior and preferences. These systems analyze user interaction and suggest relevant content or resources based on their behavior. A well-known example of such a system is Netflix’s recommendation engine, which suggests films or series based on user viewing history.

Knowledge Discovery and Visualization

AI-Driven Data Mining

Clustering groups data points based on their similarities and can be used to identify patterns or underlying rules.

Classification organizes data into predefined categories based on the learned patterns, while association rule learning discovers interesting relationships between variables in large sets. 

Anomaly detection identifies anomalies and regression analyzes the connection between variables to predict future trends. 

Neural networks mimic the human brain and are often used to find complicated patterns among variables.

Interactive Knowledge Graphs

AI constructs and uses knowledge graphs, which enhance data interconnectivity and visualization. These graphs show how different entities interact which makes complex data more accessible for people. An example is Google’s Knowledge Graph, a knowledge base of the machine to make the search easier by connecting data points relevant to the search.

Enhanced Decision Support

AI Decision-Making

It is used to simulate real-world actions and predict potential outcomes. Some examples include forecasting such as financial; optimization such as in supply chain; health such as disease outbreaks; novelty and fraud detection; and customers such as enhancing experience.

AI for Strategic KM Initiatives

These are tools applied in strategic planning of knowledge management to meet business goals. Most businesses use the tools to gather comprehensive information and come up with required data to drive growth. An example of such a tool is IBM’s Watson which assists a wide range of industries to track and extract data from vast amounts of data.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

Risks and Vulnerabilities

AI in knowledge management similarly poses risks and vulnerabilities on data-related aspects. Cyberattacks on sensitive stored or transacted information associated with KM entail huge financial costs and damage to an organization. For example, the SolarWinds cyberattack in 2020 compromised multiple organizations through software vulnerability exploitation.

Security Measures

Advanced AI security technologies keep organizational KM assets safe and intact through the following means:

  • Encryption: Converts data into coded information to protect it.
  • Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): Requires the use of multiple verification access systems.
  • AI-based Intrusion Detection Systems: Detect and mitigate any unusual activities.
  • Blockchain Technology: Protects data integrity and traceability.
  • Behavioral Analytics: Tracks behavioral patterns to catch new or potential threats.

Adoption Barriers

Several cultural and structural aspects may deter the integration of AI into the KM system, such as:

  • Leadership Support: Develop leadership personas who support AI utilization.
  • Employee Training: Develop re-skilling programs for employees.
  • Clear Communication: Demystify AI aspects and inform them of its benefits.
  • Pilot Programs: Conduct trials and field tests on small-scale programs.
  • Feedback Mechanisms: Use employee-based information to develop the KM through evaluations.

Future Trends and Developments in AI-Driven KM

Next-Gen AI Technologies

  • Quantum Computing, which boosts data processing speed and efficiently solves problems of high complexity, advanced Next-Gen.
  • Neural Networks, which provides better accuracy in recognizing patterns and making decisions,
  • Generative AI that facilitates the creation of new content and knowledge from the source data;
  • Edge AI, through Edge AI, data gets processed on the devices, thereby reducing latency; and
  • Explainable AI that guarantees transparency in AI-driven decisions and predictions.

Convergence with Other Technologies

  • Internet of Things enables the collection and analysis of real-time data from connected devices;
  • Blockchain, to ensure that data transitions are safe and transparent;
  • Augmented Reality, to make complex data visually and interactively represented;
  • 5G, which ensures transfer of data faster, coupled with real-time analytics;
  • Cloud Computing, which allows scalability, elasticity, and optimal use of application services and storage efficiently scaled using the AI applications.

Predictions of Change in Workforce and Job Roles

Wrapping Up

AI is changing how knowledge management is done: more productive, insightful, and adaptable. In the words of Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, "AI is one of the most important things humanity is working on. It is more profound than, I dunno, electricity or fire." Proper attention to training employees, maintaining transparency, and helping us use AI will unleash the full potential of AI to effect innovative impacts, enabling the achievement of strategic goals. Let's, therefore, embrace transformative technology for better KM practice.

 

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