What forms of AI could benefit my business?
Given the new developments, it is likely that AI can help your business in many different ways, and may even be part of your offerings to your customers or users. For your business, AI solutions can automate various tasks and help you save time and money. For customers, clients, and potential users of AI, there are even more uses that your business can offer. The following are a few examples of how AI is being deployed and used by other businesses.
Generative AI
Generative AI applies machine learning algorithms to generate content, such as text, images, and video, based on user input. Of all the AI-powered tools available today, generative AI might be the most well-known and the most controversial. Examples of generative AI systems include:
- ChatGPT is a program developed by OpenAI that makes written content based on user prompts. The content it produces tends to be of good quality in terms of writing style and skill. It offers no guarantee of accuracy, however, and the system is prone to bias.
- DALL-E 3 is a text-to-image AI application also developed by OpenAI. It can make multiple high-quality images in a wide array of styles, including photorealistic images, paintings, sketches, and clip art. The system reportedly allows artists to “opt out” from having their work used as training data, but the process may need improvement.
- AlphaCode is a coding engine developed by Google DeepMind, which claims the system can create computer code at the same rate as an average human programmer.
Generative AI relies on vast amounts of training data, sometimes including copyrighted written works, videos, and images. As a result the AI generated content constantly improves in quality. Many human content creators, however, are not happy because they do not receive compensation for the use of their work in training the AI programs. The legal system has yet to address this issue.
Chatbots
Chatbots are specialized generative AI programs that imitate conversational language via text, instant messaging, or even verbal communication. Two types of chatbots are available to businesses:
- Task-oriented, or declarative: These applications provide scripted answers based on input or questions from users. Their capabilities are limited to straightforward questions like directions to a business location or its hours of operation.
- Data-driven, or conversational: These chatbots are more sophisticated and respond to a wider range of inquiries. They are often called “virtual assistants” because they make greater use of natural language processing and machine learning.
Businesses may deploy chatbots to screen new clients, respond to customer service inquiries, or schedule appointments. Many customers still prefer to speak to a human, so businesses may keep that as an alternative.
Digital image processing
AI-powered software can analyze digital images for a variety of purposes. Referred to as “computer vision,” this application can replicate tasks that might take humans hours, days, or longer.
Digital image processors also use training data so they can learn how to identify content in other images. Computer vision systems have the following uses:
- Content management: A system can analyze and organize photos on social media accounts and photo storage applications.
- Text recognition: Computer vision can enable a system to “read” text and convert it to a word-processing format.
- Healthcare: Software can flag images recorded by medical devices for review by a doctor.
- Self-driving vehicles: Real-time object recognition is essential for an autonomous vehicle to correctly identify obstacles, such as trees, other vehicles, and pedestrians.
- Facial recognition: AI models that identify individuals can aid workforce management and law enforcement.
Speech recognition
Various AI tools can process speech in real time to translate speech to text or for an AI application to “speak.” Machine learning algorithms can help these applications adapt to specific needs, such as common customer questions or filter out background noise.
Data management
AI systems have vast capacity when it comes to processing and analyzing data. An AI system can help businesses manage their data in the following ways:
- Identify what types of data to collect.
- Sort through collected data to determine what can be kept and what can be discarded.
- Analyze large amounts of data to identify trends, patterns, or other notable features.
- Apply lessons learned from trends and patterns to improve subsequent data analysis.
- Flag proprietary or personal data for additional protection.
- Maintain and enforce data protection and data privacy policies.
Robotic process automation
Robotic process automation (RPA) combines many of the aforementioned AI systems to make software that automates certain business processes. An RPA application can handle repetitive workflows, freeing employees to work on other matters.
For example, a business can use an RPA application to automate much of its customer service process helping customers who call or provide information online to identify the problem and offer proposed solutions. If this does not resolve a customer’s concerns, the system can move them to a worker who can access all the information obtained from the customer up to that point.
What common legal issues affect AI use at my business?
AI technology is still quite new and has only been part of public discourse for a few years. The legal system always lags behind technological advancements. AI is no different, so lawmakers are only beginning to address questions about liability and regulations. What is clear, however, is that existing intellectual property, privacy, and data protection laws still do apply.
Intellectual property violations, such as copyright infringement, are big potential legal risks depending on how your business uses AI. If your business relies on AI to create content and generate images or video, it can be smart to have everything AI-made reviewed by a human who can assess whether the AI creation relies too heavily on already existing and legally protected works.
When a business uses AI as part of a product or service, existing rules about customer data protection and privacy apply. If, for example, your business is part of the healthcare industry, your AI tools may be subject to HIPAA and other patient privacy laws. This means it is important to understand what data is being collected, and how that data is used, stored, and protected.
While there may be significant rewards for being an early adopter of AI technologies, there may also be significant risks to consider. If you have questions about your legal risks when your business uses or offers an AI tool, it may be best to ask a lawyer to help you assess those risks.
How can a terms of service document protect you?
The right terms of service document can make it clear as to what your customers or users can do when benefiting from your AI, and what they cannot do. Artificial Intelligence Terms of Service can protect your business and your customers by setting expectations for what AI can accomplish, limiting customer use of AI, and disclaiming liability. Important terms generally include:
- Limits on use of services: You are making an AI tool available to the customer or user with the understanding that they will not use it in any way that is unlawful, fraudulent, deceptive, or unethical.
- Content restrictions: The customer is responsible for ensuring that any materials produced by the AI tool comply with applicable laws.
- Intellectual property rights: If you own the AI tool itself, you retain ownership of the source code, the brand, and all other features. If you have licensed the AI tool from someone else, you retain the right to use it the way you do.
- Personal data privacy: You have an obligation to protect a user or customer’s privacy. If a customer intends to use the AI tool in their business, you may include terms requiring them to maintain a similar level of data security.
- Accuracy of information: At its current stage of development, generative AI does a very good job of mimicking human communication. It does not do nearly as well at providing accurate information. You may allow the customer to use the AI tool on an “as is” basis, meaning that you make no warranty about the accuracy or reliability of the AI tool’s output.
- Limitation on liability: You may disclaim all liability for the customer’s misuse of the AI tool or their reliance on the accuracy of its output.
Carefully drafted terms of service and Online Terms and Conditions can protect businesses, tech entrepreneurs, and websites in many different ways. To learn more about how businesses can protect themselves when employing AI as part of a product or service, reach out to a Rocket Lawyer network attorney for affordable legal advice.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.
