Unilever is joining forces with Microsoft to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted decision-making tool. The aim is to streamline the consumer goods company’s decision-making process, with the tool intended for use by its employees. Unilever’s Chief Information Officer, Jane Moran, believes that AI will be instrumental in helping the company make quicker, more informed decisions.
Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform will be used to store and process data, while Power BI will be utilised for data visualisation. The goal is to create a ‘data culture’ within Unilever, where employees can access and interpret data to inform their decisions. The tool will also provide predictive analytics, offering insights into future trends and behaviours.
The partnership is part of Unilever’s wider digital transformation strategy, which includes implementing AI and machine learning technologies across the company. Moran acknowledges that this will be a significant cultural shift for Unilever, but is confident that the benefits will far outweigh the challenges. The company is also investing in training programmes to ensure its workforce is equipped to use the new technologies.
The collaboration with Microsoft is not Unilever’s first foray into AI. The company has previously used AI to predict ice cream sales based on weather forecasts, and to optimise advertising campaigns. This latest initiative marks a further step in Unilever’s ongoing commitment to harnessing the power of AI to drive its business forward.
Go to source article: https://diginomica.com/2018/05/25/unilever-teams-microsoft-deliver-ai-assisted-decision-making-users/