How generative AI is changing the future of customer service

How generative AI is changing the future of customer serviceThe transition from overworked customer service staff to AI will happen quickly Since the emergence of ChatGPT, AI has suddenly become the talk of the town, with tech companies racing to deliver the best artificially intelligent chatbot. So much so that, by 2024, AI investment is predicted to reach more than US$500 billion. Businesses aiming…

How to make sure your customers want to come back

How many times do your customers leave your business because you’ve trained your staff to guard your products but not sell them?

How to make sure your customers want to come backHow often do your customers leave your business without buying because your staff is ill-trained? I had just climbed the steepest part of the hill and was out of breath when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the dog sprinting out of the driveway toward me. My heart was already racing, and…

The oil sector has its swagger back

The oil sector has its swagger backEnergy security is now the phrase on everyone’s lips and yesterday’s villains are today’s saviours Energy security is back on centre stage. A record-breaking 7,200-plus people jammed into Houston’s Hilton Americas last week for what is often dubbed the Super Bowl of the energy world – CERAWeek. And the mood was buoyant. After years of…

United Arab Emirates considering quitting OPEC

United Arab Emirates considering quitting OPECIt would be a crippling blow to the influence of the organization on the global oil markets Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) are on a collision course over several issues, one of which could seriously impact the fate and the workings of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). There were reports…

You ain’t seen nothing yet on the ChatGPT road

You ain’t seen nothing yet on the ChatGPT roadWe are at the beginning of many exciting artificial intelligence/machine learning advances Are we at an inflection point on the road to developing more innovative artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) techniques, such as large language models (LLM) and related software? All the hype around ChatGPT and the subsequent announcements of similar products and massive investments by…

Strategies for successfully reopening after COVID-19

Strategies for successfully reopening after COVID-19Organizations that move earlier, faster, and more decisively will outperform their peers Thoughtful executives will prioritize planning for fully reopening their organizations now that the COVID-19 pandemic is subsiding. The emerging business environment is not like the past. The differences go well beyond customer and staff expectations for personal safety in places of business. Successful…

Greenwashing label discourages real solutions to energy crisis

Greenwashing label discourages real solutions to energy crisisCatherine McKenna’s attack against Canada’s energy sector irresponsible and oblivious to the world’s energy challenges In a recent op-ed, Canada’s former minister of environment and climate change, Catherine McKenna, launched an irresponsible attack on industries across Canada, categorizing their commitments to drive down greenhouse gas emissions and reach defined reduction targets as “greenwashing.” Reducing industry…

Russian oil price cap not as effective as hoped

Russian oil price cap not as effective as hopedIn the weeks following the cap, Russia sold its crude oil for about US$74 per barrel on average The ultimate impact of the western price cap on Russian crude export earnings remains an interesting point of discussion. Opinion is divided. After some bickering, on Dec. 5 of last year the European Union (EU) finally agreed…

AI is going to affect your business

AI is going to affect your businessWhat are you going to do about it? Last week I asked a group of university students how they were using Artificial Intelligence or AI in their studies. Their response was fascinating: nine of the 10 students had tested ChatGPT for use in their courses. Some had generated whole papers, others had used it for…

How to reduce the risks of email attacks

How to reduce the risks of email attacksMalicious emails can lead to data breaches and ransomware attacks Malicious emails are a significant cybersecurity risk for many organizations. Email remains an important communication method for most organizations even though personal communication is migrating more to text, Facebook Messenger, LinkedIn Message, WhatsApp and various Asian apps. However, organizations continue to receive malicious emails that…