At this point, it would seem that technology isn’t just a tool anymore. As things stand now, it’s a permanent trend that is redefining how businesses operate, think, and grow. Apart from the “thinking” part, changes are indeed massive.
It’s already almost impossible to find a business in any industry that hasn’t changed its operational processes thanks to the rise of new tech. HR departments, hospitals, trading floors, and even construction sites have embraced the new definition of innovation that portends embedding and some more embedding of new tech to make data-driven decisions.
AI Is the New Standard in Performance Management
AI has indeed made a tectonic change in how businesses operate. It has become the standard in many departments, notably performance management.
To begin with, this field used to be rather inefficient, as traditional methods often relied on subjective assessments and annual feedback cycles that failed to capture the nuances of employees’ contributions.
Those days seem to be gone for good. Nowadays, large corporations are leading by example, transforming performance management through technology.
IBM’s approach is particularly noteworthy. The business has integrated Watson Analytics into their HR processes. In addition to assessing performance, the tools also predict future potential with 96% accuracy. Needless to say, this helps IBM to make more informed decisions about promotions, training, and development.
Another notable example is Adobe. It has replaced its annual performance reviews with an AI-powered system that focuses on continuous feedback.
The shift has led to a 30% reduction in voluntary attrition, highlighting how important real-time, data-driven performance management can truly become.
Says Rashida Coleman, HR Lead at Adobe: “We didn’t just digitize performance reviews. We rethought what performance even means. That’s what using AI for performance management really allowed us to do.”
Further out, AI can help identify skill gaps and recommend personalized training programs. In other words, it enhances individual performance and contributes to overall organizational success.
Building Smarter From the Ground Up
The construction industry, traditionally pestered by inefficiencies and reliance on outdated methods, is, perhaps, the most illustrative example of how technology is changing the rules of the game. Advancements in preconstruction software are really showing up.
E.g., UrbanCore Construction and Prometheus Real Estate Group are heavily relying on technology to streamline their operations and improve accuracy. UrbanCore has adopted Zebel’s preconstruction software to enhance its cost estimation process. The process that used to take a week now takes mere hours.
Prometheus Real Estate Group has replaced Excel templates with Zebel’s intuitive software. The transition has centralized its project data, improved decision-making, and eliminated the inefficiencies associated with manual processes.
The importance of adopting modern tools in industries that have traditionally lagged in technological adoption can’t be more evident. Optimized preconstruction software helps businesses reduce errors, save time, and deliver better end results.
“Implementing advanced preconstruction software has allowed us to reduce planning time by 30%,” says Michael Davis, Project Manager at BuildRight Construction.
It’s only natural, since the tools integrate data from various sources to provide real-time insights.
Higher Knowledge Retention
Knowledge, however, is one department where precautions are necessary. To begin with, attention spans are shrinking thanks to the omnipresence of information, not all of which is necessary or, indeed, useful. Nevertheless, people tend to keep scrolling, feeding their brains with useless information, and wasting time.
Hence, the importance of higher knowledge retention has become a significant challenge. Advancements in educational technology are helping businesses address this issue, more or less effectively. AI-powered platforms that enhance learning and improve knowledge retention are slowly becoming the standard.
C2-AI’s Surgery Hero app is a prime example. Originally developed to assess post-operative outcomes, the app was repurposed during the latest pandemic to identify high-risk patients and introduce “prehabilitation” measures.
The Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System (ICS) has partnered with C2-AI, which has resulted in a sixfold drop in complications and halved readmission rates for about 2,000 patients. The app focuses on individual health metrics and provides personalized advice, thus proving that knowledge retention in healthcare can be aided by technology.
Standardizing Success
Regardless of the industry, proven processes are critical for ensuring consistency and quality. Technology plays a major role in standardizing them and making them more efficient and scalable.
Again, large businesses are leading the change. Siemens has implemented AI to improve project planning and resource allocation. Its AI systems analyze historical project data and external factors to predict project timelines more accurately, optimize resource utilization, and identify potential bottlenecks early.
In a similar fashion, Shell Oil Company is relying on AI to optimize maintenance scheduling in its offshore drilling operations. The system analyzes sensor data from equipment and historical maintenance records and predicts equipment failures before they occur.
Real-World Impact
These initiatives are not isolated incidents. Instead, they’re part of a broader movement towards tech-driven transformation across industries.
There are many companies implementing AI-powered tools, hoping to remain competitive at the very least, and preferably lead the change.
I.e., XTX Markets, an algorithmic trading firm, has achieved a record European equities client volume, thanks to increased market volatility. XTX uses machine learning to execute trades worth $250 billion daily across multiple asset classes. Thanks to this approach, the company has positioned itself as a leader in the trading industry.
Further out, British Airways has incorporated AI technology, managing to significantly improve its operational performance. Namely, 86% of flights from Heathrow departed on time in Q4 2025.
Coca-Cola and Siemens Energy are leveraging AI and robotics through predictive and prescriptive maintenance technologies to reduce downtime and optimize maintenance. They rely on sensor data and AI algorithms to detect machinery issues before they escalate.
Many other businesses are following suit; these are but pioneers.
“Technology is not just a tool; it’s a catalyst for change,” says John Smith, CEO of Tech Innovations Ltd. “Embracing technology is not just about keeping up with the times; it’s about staying ahead of the curve.”
This sentiment resonates across industries, giving rise to the overall sentiment that businesses that invest in technological advancements today are positioning themselves for success in the future.
Balancing Technology With People
Lastly, let us not forget that AI learns from actual people. It is rather important who feeds it data — the question people have no say in. That’s why it has become even more important to keep the “human element” in mind.
After all, it is living, breathing people who interact with the machines daily. Their engagement and satisfaction are of paramount importance. The task isn’t easy to solve, mind you. What companies usually do is throw more technology to the mix, hoping to address small concerns while keeping noise in the background.
Personalized feedback systems may be the right way ahead. These seem to increase employee engagement as they make people feel valued and heard. Real-time feedback is particularly appreciated. People want to know how they can improve now rather than during their annual review.
Mark Freedman, Senior Analyst at Siemens, reflects: “When AI is built around real workflows instead of abstract models, you get buy-in. People stop seeing it as a threat and start seeing it as a tool.”
