AI in Business: Understanding the Growing Transformation

By Dr. William Oliver Hedgepath  |  05/15/2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) in business in 2025 is no longer just a tool; it is reshaping both businesses and human workers’ aspirations. Many organizations are using AI technologies to change and harness the power of machine learning.

AI Technology in the Enterprise

AI is not for every organization, but AI technologies are common to business models that require advanced functions. These functions may range from analyzing data to predictive maintenance in the complex web of products and services.

Customers are already working with AI-powered chatbots instead of talking to humans over simple problems like how to return a product. However, there will be some areas in business operations where AI adoption may be limited or entirely absent.

As AI continues to revolutionize organizations, it is important to recognize that AI is not a universal solution for all business challenges or progress.

Adopting AI Technologies

If you’ve clicked on the “chat” button on a website recently, you probably interacted with AI. Many businesses have already adopted AI systems to create virtual assistants that support customer experience. From there, the possibilities are seemingly limitless.

Using AI agents requires determining which repetitious tasks are best performed by AI rather than by employees. For example, robots and self-driving cars may be beneficial to companies such as Amazon®, but not to mom-and-pop stores.

Skills for Leveraging AI Technologies in the Business World

Typically, chief technology officers and innovation officers will be heavily involved in developing a company’s AI strategy. Executing this strategy may require staff who are comfortable with machine learning algorithms, AI technologies, and business analysis. They will also need to understand how AI tools will transform how their businesses operate, lead to significant cost savings, and improve customer engagement.

Above all, it’s crucial to have technical staff with the analytical skills to rethink how many tasks are currently done. AI isn’t just about gaining efficiency; it’s often about enabling advanced functions and gaining actionable insights through data analysis. The best way to transform businesses is by using AI to augment human intelligence, which frees employees to focus on high-value tasks.

Choosing the Right AI Use Cases

AI is transforming many businesses. This technology is being applied in innovative ways, from helping to solve crimes to identifying the right clinical trial for a patient.

However, there are still business leaders who may not fully embrace a digital transformation due to practical, ethical, or cultural reasons. Businesses must carefully assess where AI technology can truly add value – such as taking over repetitive tasks for employees – and where alternative approaches might be more effective.

For example, businesses like Walmart® and Amazon use AI technologies and machine learning algorithms to improve customer service and data analysis. By contrast, a small business owner who crafts handmade furniture or creates baked goods, requires a unique human touch for their products and may not need AI tools to maintain a competitive edge.

Also, professions that rely on human intervention, human touch, or human coaching may not embrace the use of AI or robots. Religious leaders, nurses, and other professionals will need to retain a human connection with the people they help. Farmers and ranchers may use AI to search for the best fertilizer to use, but they mainly rely on human labor for harvesting and other work.

Implementing AI for Business Needs

AI enables businesses to outsource repetitive, time-consuming tasks in many business sectors, including:

• Customer service
• Marketing and advertising
• Human resources
• Supply chain management

AI in Customer Service

Many companies now use AI and machine learning for repetitive tasks such as customer service queries. AI prompts are given to chatbots to teach them how to interact with customers.

When the customer types a command or question, the chatbot or virtual assistant answers. AI systems are powered by natural language processing and large language models, which can do a remarkable job of understanding and producing human language.

AI in Marketing

Artificial intelligence technology is a powerful resource for marketing teams. Predictive analytics makes it possible for marketing teams to create more personalized marketing strategies based on known customer preferences. For a retail company, implementing AI technology can be useful in creating purchase recommendations and improving customer satisfaction, based on a customer’s previous behaviors and purchases.

AI technology can be designed to conduct market research and make sense of vast amounts of disparate data. For instance, a brand could use AI to collect social media comments for sentiment analysis. This type of AI system makes it possible to quickly gain insights into user behavior and what consumers prefer when it comes to products and services.

You may have noticed that once you inquire about a service, you start to see more ads for it on your cell phone. That may be AI at work.

AI algorithms can target people and optimize the placement of ads, and generative AI can even assist with content creation such as the text and images for ads. AI tools and advanced data analytics can use customer data and customers' purchase trends to create customer profiles and even adjust a product's price to entice customers to make purchases.

Netflix®, Spotify®, and Sephora® are among the companies using AI to make personalized recommendations to customers. As a result, they are more likely to experience a competitive advantage and distinguish their brands from others in the marketplace.

AI in Human Resources

AI is rapidly transforming human resources operations, reshaping how companies attract and hire talent. AI technology now handles much of the initial screening process, assessing applicants through AI powered chatbots, video interview analysis, and natural language processing.

These technologies evaluate candidates’ responses, tone, and even facial expressions to gauge suitability. They can help to reduce bias and human error, as well as improve hiring efficiency.

HR’s consideration of a candidate now involves sentiment analysis to improve the focus on the skills needed for today's industries. Some companies use AI-driven assessments to determine personality traits and cultural fit before bringing in applicants for final rounds with human interviewers.

Artificial intelligence has also changed the traditional resume format. Long, descriptive resumes are being replaced by concise, keyword-optimized documents designed to align with AI-driven applicant tracking systems. These systems scan resumes for specific terms related to skills, experience, and industry needs and instantly rank job candidates based on their relevance.

Many job seekers now use precise language and structured formatting for their resumes. This strategy helps to ensure their resumes make it past automated filters and land in front of hiring managers.

As AI plays a greater role in recruitment, candidates must adapt by understanding how this technology works. Tailoring resumes to AI scanners, preparing for AI-powered interviews, and showcasing quantifiable results are essential strategies in today’s job market. Meanwhile, companies benefit from reduced hiring costs, faster decision-making, and enhanced talent acquisition.

AI in Supply Chain Management

AI solutions are especially useful in the management of supply chains. For decision makers, AI tools can be used to improve decision-making and operational efficiency in a supply chain, which in turn leads to enhanced customer satisfaction and improved supply chain optimization.

AI technology can process large amounts of data, indicate future market trends through predictive analytics, and provide real-time information as needed. AI tools can also automate repetitive tasks such as inventory management and data entry.

Balancing Human Work with Artificial Intelligence Capabilities

Many industries such as engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and energy have embraced the use of AI tools and machine learning.

The key to a successful transition to AI technology lies in finding the right balance between the automation of business processes and human expertise. Companies must invest in training programs to help employees understand predictive analytics and adapt to AI-driven workflows. By doing so, they can ensure that AI tools complement human capabilities rather than replace them entirely.

The use of AI in business is giving our human workers a sense of a new future in deep learning and the improvement of their business acumen. Amazon and Walmart are two prime examples of integrating AI agents.

AI at Amazon

Amazon has long been at the forefront of AI adoption, using machine learning and automation to streamline operations while empowering human workers. One of its most notable AI applications is Amazon’s AI-powered fulfillment centers, where robots assist human employees in sorting, packing, and shipping orders. These AI-driven systems help workers optimize their workflow, reducing errors, and improving overall supply chain efficiency.

Additionally, Amazon employs AI in customer service, using chatbots and voice assistants like Alexa to handle routine inquiries. These AI tools allow human customer service representatives to focus on more complex issues. AI also aids in employee training, offering personalized learning experiences that help workers develop new skills based on their performance data.

AI at Walmart

Walmart has embraced AI to improve both operational efficiency and employee experience. The company has implemented AI-driven scheduling systems that optimize work shifts based on demand. This AI system ensures employees are placed where they are needed most.

Walmart also uses the AI-powered My Assistant, a generative AI tool that helps employees streamline tasks, boost creativity, and foster human connections.

Walmart has shifted towards skills-based hiring, leveraging AI to assess candidates based on their abilities rather than traditional credentials. This approach allows employees to grow within the company by acquiring new skills through AI-driven training programs.

Both Amazon and Walmart demonstrate how AI is not replacing human workers but rather enhancing their capabilities. This AI strategy provides deep learning insights that help employees refine their business skills and adapt to evolving industry demands. AI is becoming a collaborative tool, ensuring that human workers remain at the heart of business operations while applying technological advancements.

AI Technology Use and Fraud Detection

While AI can benefit large and small companies, there is still a problem. While artificial intelligence can be used to recognize patterns and improve fraud detection, threat actors use AI software for financial scams and identity theft.

For instance, AI applications have been used by hackers to imitate banks, pretending to offer people home purchase opportunities or to help pay a bill. As a result, AI practitioners and policymakers are seeking to develop legislation and other means to regulate how AI is used.

Business Degrees at American Military University

For adult learners interested in upskilling or improving their knowledge of modern business practices, American Military University (AMU) offers several business degrees, including:

• An online Bachelor of Arts in Business
• An online Bachelor of Arts in Management
• An online Master of Arts in Business Administration
• An online Master of Arts in Management

The courses in these degree programs are taught by expert faculty members with a deep knowledge of the business world. Courses in these programs include critical thinking strategies for business decisions, management information systems, and management communications. Other courses include artificial intelligence practices in business, corporate finance, human resource management, and cross-cultural management.

These degree programs also have specialty accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP®). This type of accreditation ensures that these programs have been carefully examined by professional evaluators to ensure high academic standards.

For more details about AMU’s business degree offerings, visit our business administration and management degree program page.

Amazon is a registered trademark of Amazon.com.
Walmart is a registered trademark of Walmart, Inc.
Netflix is a registered trademark of Netflix, Inc.
Spotify is a registered trademark of Spotify AB.
Sephora is a registered trademark of Sephora.
ACBSP is a registered trademark of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.