Picture this: You wake up one morning, and an AI bot has already scheduled your meetings, answered half your emails, and even charmed a few new clients into doing business with you—all while you were still dreaming about that perfect cup of coffee. This isn’t sci-fi; this is today’s reality! Futurist Liselotte Lyngsø recently took the stage at Datacenter Forum 2024 to talk about how AI is accelerating the way we work and live—and why we should all be excited about it.

AI: From “Nice to Have” to “Need to Have”

Gone are the days when AI was just a flashy, optional tool used by tech giants. As Liselotte put it, AI has moved from “nice to have” to “need to have,” sitting right alongside Wi-Fi on the bottom rung of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Yes, it’s THAT essential now! Whether you’re a newbie just stepping into the workforce or a seasoned pro, AI is supercharging your productivity. In fact, according to Liselotte, young workers are seeing a 43% boost in efficiency, while experienced employees are being lifted by 17%.

How’s that for a work perk?

The Job Supercharger

At Datacenter Forum, Liselotte shared some incredible stories of AI making waves across industries. Take, for example, a labor union in Denmark, where AI has become an unexpected hero. Despite some initial skepticism about adopting new technology, the staff fell in love with AI—finding that it made their work lives not just easier, but better! One union rep said that what once took two and a half years to achieve in job training could now be done in four to five months. Talk about a game-changer!

AI is also speeding up processes in the legal field. Young lawyers, who used to take years to earn their keep, are now becoming billable in record time thanks to AI-assisted research and document preparation. It’s as if they’ve been handed the keys to a high-speed, racehorse-powered vehicle—and they’re off!

Is Denmark the AI Hotspot of the Future?

If you think AI is only for Silicon Valley, think again. Liselotte has a bold vision for Denmark as the next global AI hub. Why? The Nordic region, she says, offers a fresh perspective and the potential to lead in AI sustainability—an issue that still plagues other parts of the world.

Sure, AI might still have some hiccups (we haven’t cracked the perfect pricing model yet), but the potential is undeniable. As AI continues to democratize industries, Denmark could be at the forefront of creating greener, more ethical AI solutions. In a world that needs more sustainable energy sources and smarter tech, the timing couldn’t be better.

Meet “Elsie” – Your New AI BFF

But AI isn’t just shaking up corporate life—it’s also revolutionizing how we connect with others. Liselotte introduced us to Elsie, an AI bot that works in sales, building relationships on LinkedIn. Yes, you read that right: building relationships. Elsie can interact with potential clients, striking up conversations about conferences they attended, and even scheduling meetings for real salespeople. When the human rep wakes up, they’ve got a fully interested client ready to chat. Who knew bots could be this charming?

And then there’s Klarn’s AI, a customer service that’s not only solving problems in real-time but also generating millions in profits. The service handles multiple languages, freeing up customer service reps to focus on trickier, more human tasks. It’s AI teamwork at its finest.

AI as the Human Helper

A fascinating point Liselotte made was how AI is freeing us to be more human. In Denmark, social workers using AI to handle the administrative grunt work can now focus on listening and caring for people. Imagine a social worker talking to a child about their home life while an AI bot helps in the background, ensuring the right questions are asked, freeing up the human worker to be, well, more human. It’s a glimpse into the future where empathy and technology are working hand in hand.

A Futurist’s Parenting Hack: Interesting. Exciting!

Liselotte also shared some fun personal stories, giving a glimpse of how futurists deal with everyday frustrations—like when her son secretly spent Euro 4000 on PlayStation games during a period of 3 years! Instead of blowing up, she pulled out her secret weapon: “Interesting. Exciting!” her mantra for staying calm when faced with unexpected challenges. And, in true futurist fashion this was how she got sucked into exploring Fortnite and other gaming universes – trying to understand how the virtual is becoming more valuable than the real world. As a mother, it was another story, the solution was to rent out his room in order to cover the costs. And ask him to get a job. Problem solved!

AI: Our Companion in the Journey Ahead

The message was clear: AI is here to stay, and it’s only going to get better. From improving efficiency at work to enhancing our human connections, AI is transforming every aspect of our lives. But while it’s doing the heavy lifting, it’s up to us to stay curious, stay connected, and—most importantly—stay human.

As Liselotte says, it’s a fascinating time to be alive. The future is unfolding right in front of us, and with the right mindset, we can make the most of this AI-powered revolution.

So, whether you’re just starting your career or leading a major corporation, it’s time to hop on that racing horse and see where AI can take you. Trust us—it’s going to be an interesting and exciting ride!

Watch Liselotte’s presentation at Datacenter Forum 2024 right here.

Do you want to watch Liselotte live at Datacenter Forum? Get your tickets here.

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