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Companies use artificial intelligence to make business decisions, but experts say bad data equals bad decisions

AI microprocessor on motherboard computer circuit
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Many companies use artificial intelligence to determine big decisions like hiring or laying off workers, but an SIU professor warns to be careful using this tool in the decision-making process.

Companies are making investments in data science teams to develop artificial intelligence to more effectively analyze data to recognize patterns that enable predictions to solve problems.

Pontikes Center for Advanced Analytical and Artificial IntelligenceDirector Jim Nelson says AI is great at processing repetitive mundane tasks analyzing data at a very high rate.

“The biggest advantage is that it can look out and they process way, way more data than humans possibly could.”

Nelson says there’s a disadvantage to using AI as well and that depends on what data is being processed.

“If you give it incomplete data, if you give it incorrect data, then the suggestions, the recommendations that it will give will be as good as the bad data that was given to it.”

Nelson says there still needs to be a human touch to make sure important information isn’t left out of the decision-making process.

Benjy Jeffords is a digital media production specialist at WSIU Public Broadcasting located at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Contact WSIU Radio at 618-453-6101 or email wsiunews@wsiu.org
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