Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be a key technology to finding new contactless solutions across industries like retail, financial services, healthcare, education, and energy, in the post-COVID-19 world according to leading AI-focused startups and investors.

Speaking at the global webinar on AI, organized by Bennett University,  entrepreneurs and AI investors discussed the role of AI that will shape up the 'new normal' going forward.

“We as consumers are very much used to a high-touch, high-contact environment. One of the areas we feel startups can add a lot of value is to add on the ecosystem the government is providing, add on to privileges that enterprises are putting in place, and develop indigenous India-focused solutions,” said Vinish Kathuria, founder, of SenseAI, an  AI-focused venture fund.

According to Kathuria, in the post-COVID-19 world, one has to look at long-term tech-driven solutions instead of just relying on short-term solutions like using toothpicks to use elevators.

“Eventually solutions have to move towards a voice-driven or a biometric-driven contactless interaction whether in retail, financial services hospitality among others.  Voice internet is a huge area that will significantly grow in the days to come,” he added.

Similarly, Jaydeep Singh, founder of Empass, said language is one area that benefits from AI tremendously. “It boils down to creating content that is great quality, focuses on user experience, and uses gamification. I can see a lot of people using (gamification).  Also, just because we are remote, it’s not that we won’t be able to know what the user is feeling. Whether it’s facial emotions, speech emotions, all of this captured using AI,” Singh said. He added government collaboration will be key in the current war-like crisis.

“What is the need of the hour is the quick triaging, quick screening, using portable methods, which are very quick turnaround time. This is one area where AI can play a huge role,” said Natarajan.  

Amardeep Sibia, founder, of Drishya.ai, added that moving on on from figuring out what this pandemic is, to living with it and moving towards normalcy, would be key.  “Contactless tests and remote maintenance in continuous processes in industries like energy are areas for AI to add value," he added.

Originally Published in Times of India :

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/ai-will-be-key-for-contactless-solutions-across-industries-startups/articleshow/75979601.cms