Microsoft’s AI Roadshow 2019 in Cologne and Munich

This year, Microsoft is once again hosting an AI Roadshow to convey to its partners that using artificial intelligence is not only simple but is already a part of our everyday lives. Examples include Office 365, Alexa, Siri, Google, and many more.

Many partners were invited to the two-day roadshow on May 17 in Munich and on May 20 in Cologne, at the respective Microsoft locations. Microsoft traditionally invites some of its partners as speakers for such events to share firsthand insights on the topic.

Representing Dicide at the AI Roadshow

This year, I had the opportunity to represent Dicide at Microsoft’s AI Roadshow. My topic focused on how artificial intelligence (AI, Azure Cognitive Services) can optimize processes so that they can handle multiple times the current volume without additional staff resources. A notable advantage of using Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services is that a POC (Proof of Concept) can be set up quickly, enabling a customer demo that easily illustrates the positive impact for their business.

AI — An Ethical Question?

All the other presentations were equally fascinating. Not only did we witness firsthand how artificial intelligence is already integrated into Office 365, supporting our daily work, but we also saw how much easier things can be when we break from our usual routines. Serious topics were also on the agenda. With all the discussions around AI, ethics must be considered. One valuable statement from a discussion was: “You may make an unethical decision if you have a good reason, but it’s important to examine the underlying questions, and all options must be reviewed.” What is certainly wrong is ignoring the ethical considerations or failing to assess them altogether.

At least once, we must consider what effect it has on an end user when a customer service chat on a website is no longer managed by a human but is replaced by a service bot. How does this person feel when they encounter this for the first time? How can we optimally support or prepare users so that this first experience is a positive one? Only then can we expect that these new tools will be embraced in the future.

Help, AI is Coming

Frank Eilers, a well-known keynote speaker and podcaster (though actually from a different field, as he isn’t in IT), introduced us to the topic with the phrase “Help, AI is Coming” and, in his typical style, demonstrated that AI is already omnipresent. Our daily lives have changed even if we don’t use AI ourselves. This happens simply because these systems exist, influencing the way we act, react, and engage.

Many thanks to Raik Herrmann and Ayse Uzunali from Microsoft for organizing and inviting me. I had a wonderful time.