At a Saskatoon City Council Governance Committee meeting last week, businesses expressed concern over rising property taxes.
As a solution, several speakers spoke about cities that use AI to reduce costs. The meeting concluded at the Mayor of Saskatoon Cynthia Block, and requested a report on how the city administration could use AI before official budget talks in November.
The next day, the high-tech company Vendasta launched AI employee services.
Through Vendasta, businesses can use AI to support their employees and bridge the gaps in services they can't afford.
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“A plumber who has never taken someone to his phone or a contractor under his sink, can't answer the phone, that receptionist can make a call… People use it to improve customer service and respond in a few hours and respond in a different language,” says Nykea Behiel, Director of Vendasta Brand and Experience.
Behiel shared that AI services help businesses retain customers by responding within 30 seconds compared to typical 24-hour response times, adding that one US franchise partner has increased 372% to transforming potential customers into paid customers.
But for some workers, the thoughts of AI employees have led to concerns about unemployment. Professor Devan Mescole of the University of Saskatchewan says that AI should not be used as a tool to make life easier, rather than replacing human work.
“When you go to AI initiatives, they weren't effective when you think that cost savings are considered to be a replacement for jobs. In fact, they pretty much failed,” explained Mescole.
Nathaniel Cole of the Saskatchewan Labor Federation recommends that anyone who is worried about AI in the workplace be heard, regardless of safety precautions in place.
“As union members, it would be helpful for unions as unions to communicate with the union about their impact,” added a call.
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