Potential benefits and challenges that can arise from the inclusion of AI into a system

Learning Outcomes:

LO1 Establish project aims, objectives and timeframes based on the chosen theme.
LO2 Conduct small-scale research, information gathering and data collection to generate knowledge to support the project.
LO3 Present the project and communicate appropriate recommendations based on meaningful conclusions drawn from the evidence findings and/or analysis.
LO4 Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support sustainable organisational performance.

Assignment Brief

Artificial Intelligence covers computer systems that are able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence. These tasks might include visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages and many more.

AI impacts on every aspect of society and has the potential to be fully integrated into daily work and social lives in the very near future.

Case Study:

You are employed for a large consultancy company, which recommends improvements and changes to ‘systems' to ensure that its clients are able to maximise profit, while staying ahead of the competition. Currently clients come from various sectors including Manufacturing, Health, Education and Logistics.

The managing directors wish to ensure that they are able to recommend current and emerging technologies to the clients and recently have seen a lot of news about Artificial Intelligence (AI). They feel that this could be an emerging and potentially lucrative market for the company, but do admit that they know very little about AI. They wish to know more about the potential benefits and challenges that can arise from the inclusion of AI into systems.

You have been asked to research this emerging area and report on the feasibility of moving into this emerging technical area. The report should contain some relevant examples of ‘systems' covering the benefits and challenges of AI and if the company should start to develop and increase its knowledge base of AI so it can be recommended to its clients.

Task 1:
You will carry out a research project to fully investigate the potential benefits and challenges that can arise from the inclusion of AI into systems.

You will need to fully describe your project aims and objectives and produce a comprehensive project management plan that will cover cost, scope, time, quality communication, risk and resources. This should be supported with a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart.

You will also need to record the progress of your work in a log book/blog.

Task 2:
You will need to carry out research to support you project. This will be both qualitative and quantitative in nature and linked to the project aims and objectives. The choice of research techniques and methods is your own choice but these will need to be effective and you will need to justify their selection as suitable to your tasks.

You will need to critically evaluate the accuracy and validity of different types of research methods that you have applied - justify the choices you have made. Evidence of research activities will need recorded in your log book/blog.

Task 3:
Present the project and communicate appropriate recommendations based on meaningful conclusions drawn from the evidence findings and/or analysis. The method of presentation should be a written report but this may be supported by other materials if you wish to do so.

You will need to analyse your data using appropriate tools and techniques. You will need to communicate you recommendations as a result of your research and data analysis and present meaningful evaluations. Evaluate the selection of tools and techniques for accuracy to support and justify recommendations.

Task 4:
Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support sustainable organisational performance. Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own learning and performance. Evaluate the value of the project management process and use of quality research to meet stated objectives and support own learning and performance.

This should be presented in the form of a short report of around 500 words.