Generative AI transforms sales processes through enhanced analytics & faster response times

The latest news in artificial intelligence (AI) including research, releases and partnerships. 

This week features:

• 91 percent of sales professionals are using generative AI
• NetApp fuels agentic AI reasoning solutions with NVIDIA AI data platform
• ABB simplifies industrial device maintenance with generative AI
• Richmond and Wandsworth Councils complete breakthrough voice AI pilot

91 percent of sales professionals are using generative AI

A staggering 91 percent of sales professionals are using generative AI to gain a competitive advantage, according to new research from Panasonic Connect Europe. Survey respondents believe that implementing generative AI into their processes will drive an average increase of 38 percent in sales over the next 12 months thanks to benefits such as enhanced data analytics, more personalized customer interaction and faster response times. 

Interestingly, senior sales professionals report higher generative AI usage while junior respondents are less optimistic about its time-saving benefits. Meanwhile, 90 percent of participants stated that they will need help incorporating generative AI into processes with 68 percent believing this support will come from their organization’s IT department. 

“Our study reveals that generative AI is revolutionizing sales, driving remarkable growth and setting high expectations among professionals,” said Margarita Lindahl, head of AI at Panasonic Connect. “However, success demands more than adoption. Organizations must overcome barriers like training gaps and integration challenges by driving transformation with bold strategies, clear guardrails and comprehensive support to secure sustained impact and a competitive edge.”

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NetApp fuels agentic AI reasoning solutions with NVIDIA AI data platform

Intelligent data infrastructure company NetApp aims to enable businesses to better leverage their data to fuel AI reasoning inference. In collaboration with NIVIDIA, NetApp will help organizations navigate the era of agentic AI by building distributed systems that unlock the full value of business data to fuel data-driven actions, according to a press release. With the NVIDIA AI Data Platform, NetApp customers will be able to connect their data to fuel AI reasoning workloads with agents using NVIDIA AI Enterprise software.

“Traditional computing architectures and data management techniques are not up to the task of helping businesses thrive in the AI era,” said Krish Vitaldevara, SVP and general manager, platform at NetApp. “NVIDIA and NetApp are collaborating to give customers the tools they need to strategically unlock their data to drive the next wave of AI applications. By combining the NVIDIA AI Data Platform with the rich and mature data and AI management capabilities and services of NetApp ONTAP, enterprises can more easily bring AI to their data while maintaining security and compliance to achieve their goals of becoming data-driven businesses.”

Watch Andreas Welsch, author of the AI Leadership Handbook, discuss the future of agentic AI

ABB simplifies industrial device maintenance with generative AI

ABB has launched My Measurement Assistant+, the first AI-powered digital solution for maintenance and troubleshooting of measurement devices at industrial sites. By leveraging generative AI, cloud computing and augmented reality (AR), the web application brings together data from multiple IT and operational technology sources to provide a single access point for information retrieval, device diagnostics and remote support in industrial operations.

My Measurement Assistant+ is integrated with a generative AI solution developed by ABB in collaboration with Microsoft to help industrial companies improve efficiency, productivity and sustainability by contextualizing vast amounts of data.

“My Measurement Assistant+ is now at the heart of ABB’s comprehensive digital measurement offering,” said David Lincoln, global digital lead, ABB measurement and analytics. “It is a generative AI-powered solution that provides 24/7 support for measurement devices of industrial customers. It empowers frontline workers by offering the right information at the right time and the right place, reliably.”

The collaboration between Microsoft and ABB demonstrates the positive impact generative AI can have on industries, added Sonja Meindl, enterprise commercial director at Microsoft Switzerland. “My Measurement Assistant+ provides insights that transform the way maintenance and service is performed, empowering industrial customers to work smarter and more efficiently.”

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Richmond and Wandsworth Councils complete breakthrough voice AI pilot

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils in the UK completed a voice AI pilot demonstrating the tangible impact of AI-driven automation on public service efficiency. Carried out by Tovie AI, the project proved the effectiveness of AI-powered voice assistants in managing large-scale communications. It focused on two high-demand areas: occupational therapy waiting list management and care technology device check-in, troubleshooting and recovery.

The results are impressive:

• Occupational therapy management: 74 percent of successfully made calls, gathering the necessary information and prioritizing people who draw on care and support, as well as reduction in administrative burden and improved response times and prioritization for urgent cases.
• Occupational therapy waiting list management: 77 percent of the calls successfully identified whether devices were in use or could be reallocated to other residents while automated device check-ins reduced manual workload and ensured more efficient resource allocation with real-time troubleshooting minimizing service disruptions.

“The pilot demonstrates that AI can significantly improve the communication process, including how information is collected, updated and streamlined for review by skilled staff,” commented Violina Harpar, occupational therapy service manager at Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. “By reducing the administrative work that occupational therapists (OTs) need to perform, it creates capacity for them to increase residents contact time and focus on their primary duties applying their core OT skills.”

Read more AI news!

• Google previews new AI robotics models

• Businesses keen on AI for sustainability despite energy consumption concerns

• AWS forms new agentic AI group while Apple confronts AI shortcomings

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