Going from Reactive to Pro-Active: How AI and Machine Learning Helps Head Off Repetitive Problems

I debated whether to call this article “how to turn one intern into 1,000,” but it felt a little too click-baity.

That said, with machine learning the possibilities and opportunities for engaging the machine to do the work of hundreds if not thousands of humans is within reach.

At Skapa, we are knee-deep in using AI and machine learning to achieve client objectives often by assisting their teams with data analysis. Frequently, the goal is to help management be more pro-active than reactive by using data points to anticipate issues so teams can get out in front of problems before they happen.

Being Pro-Active with AI App

One example is a project in development for Virginia 811, the organization based in Roanoke that is tasked with promoting construction safety when digging near utility lines. The management team at VA811 is very innovative and creative when it comes to engaging AI to solve business problems.

Construction digging is fraught with numerous safety issues and regulated by law. That digging is often a dance between “locators (the flaggers)” and “excavators (the diggers).” Scheduling can be an issue causing delays, increased costs and, most importantly, potential safety issues.

VA811 has engaged us to develop an app using AI that predicts “when work won’t be done.” It gives excavators more information than they have now to pro-actively plan work schedules, providing pro-active push notifications to prevent reactive responses. Last minute changes to work schedules are highly disruptive and a cause of non-compliant digging that is the most serious safety risk.

One for the Win Column

Why is this so intriguing? Any time we can get AI to help us analyze data and get exponential people power, I put that in the win column. Over time, the upfront development costs have the potential for exponential ROI.

I hope this article gets you thinking. Do you have a repetitive organizational problem? Are there outcomes you’d love to predict? What would you love to be more pro-active with?

I’m always happy to brainstorm ideas and provide my take on viability. Feel free to reach out.