Why AI and Automation Are Essential for Commodity Processors
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation has now surpassed a tipping point, ushering in a transformative era in business and innovation. These technologies are driving a shift of unprecedented scale – and commodity processors who aren’t embracing these abilities risk falling behind.
In this blog, we’ll revisit past technological breakthroughs—like the steam engine, telephone, television broadcasting and the internet—that sparked seismic changes in how we work and live. By examining the key attributes that defined successful adaptations during those eras, we’ll uncover valuable lessons for navigating the rise of AI. Finally, we’ll explore actionable first steps to integrate AI and automation into your business strategy effectively.
Learning From the Past: Examining Significant Technological Change
History shows that transformative technologies disrupted the status quo and demanded businesses adapt to thrive. Each innovation required a pivot to new ways of working, and AI and automation are no different. Embracing this shift is essential to stay ahead in the next era of innovation. Let’s take a closer look at each of these examples.
Steam Engine: Driving Industrial Change
The steam engine catalyzed a revolution in transportation and industry during the 19th century. Leaders like Richard Trevithick, who built the first high-pressure steam engine, and George Stephenson, who standardized rail designs, enabled widespread adoption of this technology. Industries such as canal transport and stagecoach services were significantly disrupted. The adaptability of these workforces and industries underscored the necessity of embracing such transformative technology to survive and thrive.
Telephone: Redefining Communication
Businesses like postal services and telegraph companies saw reduced demand as the telephone replaced Morse code and written letters. Telegraph operators transitioned into switchboard operators, and postal workers moved into customer service or telephone sales. By adapting to the changing landscape, businesses and workers alike ensured their relevance in an increasingly connected world.
Television Broadcasting: The New Entertainment Era
In the 1950s, television broadcasting transformed media and entertainment. Pioneers like CBS and ABC introduced technologies that brought visual storytelling into homes, disrupting radio broadcasting, print media, and live theater. Radio personalities and stage performers adapted by transitioning to television roles, while advertisers shifted their focus to visual campaigns. Cinemas enhanced their offerings to compete with at-home viewing, introducing innovations like widescreen formats and immersive sound systems. Industries that embraced this pivot found new ways to engage audiences and remain competitive.
Internet: The Digital Frontier
The creation of the Internet in the 1990s reshaped commerce, communication, and media. Early leaders such as Amazon, eBay, and Google disrupted traditional industries, including brick-and-mortar retail, publishing, and travel agencies. Retail workers transitioned to e-commerce roles, bookstores specialized in niche markets, and travel agents adopted consultative approaches. Meanwhile, video rental stores like Blockbuster gave way to streaming platforms, creating opportunities for content creators and digital customer support. This shift highlighted the need for businesses to innovate and reimagine their operations to stay relevant in an interconnected world.
By examining the leaders driving AI, the industries it impacts, and the pivots required to navigate its transformative power, we can better understand the scope and prepare to harness its potential effectively. Let’s use this perspective to delve deeper into AI, uncover how it is reshaping our world, and prepare to adapt to it.
AI: The Next Transformative Shift
AI is not just another tool in the technological toolbox. Leaders such as Nvidia, OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are driving this transformation, creating the infrastructure and models that make AI systems increasingly powerful and accessible. From generative models like ChatGPT to AI-enabled tools in agriculture, medicine, and creative industries, the reach of AI spans every sector.
Industries across the board are being fundamentally altered:
- AI automates processes like data analysis and customer interactions in business services.
- Developers use AI to validate code, while graphic and video artists leverage it to generate designs and content rapidly.
- Agriculture is undergoing a precision revolution, with drones and AI systems diagnosing crop health and targeting solutions more efficiently than ever before.
- Even in fields traditionally rooted in human expertise—such as law, medicine, and education—AI is introducing tools that enhance productivity and decision-making in ways previously unimaginable.
Roles that rely heavily on manual or repetitive tasks are either shifting to more advanced responsibilities or gaining efficiency by integrating AI-driven solutions. For example, dental technicians now see AI systems automating the precision work of crown design, while educators are leveraging AI to create personalized learning experiences. These shifts require a rethinking of skills, focusing on adaptability, creativity, and strategic problem-solving.
To thrive in this era, you must embrace the inevitability of AI's impact. Just as leaders in past transformations successfully navigated change by pivoting and innovating, today’s organizations must treat AI as a core strategic priority. By doing so, you can position yourself not only to survive but to lead in this new technological landscape.
As we examine the path forward, it's helpful to understand the attributes that have historically defined successful shifts, particularly in embracing technological advancements and their profound effects on industries, workforces, and society. Let’s dive into this a bit further.
The Attributes of Successful Technological Shift: How Commodity Processors Can Boost AI and Automation Adoption
Throughout history, successful technological shifts have shared common attributes that ensured not only survival but growth for individuals and organizations.
- Adaptability was Key: Workers and companies that proactively embraced change maintained relevance in evolving landscapes. The ability to pivot and stay ahead of technological trends often separated thriving entities from those left behind.
- Skill Development: Continuous learning and reskilling empowered labor forces to transition into emerging roles. This mindset remains vital as automation and AI redefine job functions.
- Economic Transformation: Each shift disrupted existing markets while simultaneously creating new industries and opportunities. Organizations that embraced innovation often found themselves at the forefront of these emerging spaces.
- Social Changes: Technological advancements have consistently influenced societal behaviors, from how we communicate to how we structure our lives. Forward-thinking organizations consider these changes to stay aligned with evolving customer expectations.
It is important to note that embracing technology does not mean replacing human interaction. People value connection and trust, and businesses that retain this human-centered approach while leveraging technology will find themselves well-positioned to thrive. AI and automation should be seen as a powerful way to enable greater efficiency, personalization, and work-life balance—paving the way for innovation without losing the human touch.
Lessons Learned from History: Where Commodity Processors Can Focus AI Change Efforts
History reveals critical lessons for businesses navigating technological transformation. These insights are as relevant today as they were during past industrial revolutions.
- Resistance to Change is Risky: Organizations that ignored or resisted emerging technologies often fell behind or ceased to exist. With advancements like Dynamics 365 now mainstream, embracing change is no longer optional. For example, commodity processors leveraging tools to predict ingredient delays or automate order processing are positioned to outperform competitors still reliant on manual processes.
- Consumer Focus is Key: Success hinges on understanding and exceeding evolving consumer expectations. Automating workflows, like creating orders from email or detecting anomalies in scale tickets, enhances the customer experience and builds loyalty in increasingly competitive markets.
- Investment in R&D Pays Off: Continuous investment in research and development fuels innovation and keeps organizations competitive. Waiting too long to modernize systems can result in steep costs, both financial and operational. When you adopt cutting-edge technologies early you enjoy a significant advantage, positioning yourself as a leader rather than laggard.
By applying these lessons, you can confidently be poised to embrace technological change, enhancing efficiency and delivering greater value to your consumers.
As you look to modernize their operations, integrating advanced tools like Microsoft Copilot into your digital automation strategy is a logical next step, offering seamless synergy with existing Microsoft technologies.
Why Microsoft Copilot Should Be Part of Your Digital Automation Strategy
Microsoft Copilot isn’t just another AI tool—it’s a transformative asset that leverages the robust Microsoft ecosystem to elevate efficiency and innovation.
- Seamless Integration with Microsoft 365: Copilot connects effortlessly with familiar tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Dynamics 365. For example, it can transform a Word document into a professional PowerPoint presentation by analyzing content, summarizing key points, and structuring slides—all while adhering to your organization’s security protocols.
- AI-Powered Efficiency: By tapping into Microsoft’s Graph API and large language models, Copilot can simplify complex tasks like summarizing data, generating reports, or even automating order creation. It’s designed to answer questions, notify users of key events, and optimize workflows, saving valuable time for your team.
- Built-In Security and Scalability: Security is at the core of Copilot’s functionality, ensuring sensitive data is handled within trusted environments. Additionally, its presence across the Microsoft suite and integration with Azure OpenAI models makes it a scalable solution for organizations of any size.
Microsoft’s long-term commitment to AI innovation means that Copilot is not just a tool for today but a cornerstone of a strategy designed for the future. By integrating Copilot into your automation processes, you’ll maximize your existing Microsoft investment and unlock new levels of productivity and collaboration.
With a better understanding of the opportunities AI and automation can provide, the next step is identifying how to begin integrating these technologies effectively into your organization.
Where Commodity Processors Should Start in Implementing AI and Automation
Adopting AI begins with building foundational knowledge and experimenting with accessible tools.
- Understand the Differences in AI Technologies: Learn the distinctions between large language models, multimodal models, and machine learning systems. Each serves a unique purpose, and understanding when and how to use them is essential to building an effective AI strategy. If this feels overwhelming, Stoneridge Software is here to help.
- Experiment with First-Party Applications: Tools like Microsoft Copilot are excellent entry points. Begin by piloting Copilot within Microsoft 365 to explore features like automated email summaries, meeting action item extraction, or document-to-presentation conversion. These low-cost, impactful introductions will help you grasp the benefits of AI.
- Leverage No-Code Solutions: Utilize Microsoft’s Power Platform, including Power Apps, Power BI, and Power Automate, to implement AI-driven workflows without the need for extensive coding. These tools embed AI capabilities, making them accessible and highly effective for automating and optimizing everyday processes.
The time to embrace AI and automation is now. Start small, focus on practical use cases, and iterate as you learn. Early adoption allows you to identify valuable applications and avoid falling behind in an increasingly AI-driven world. By building knowledge, experimenting with tools, and diversifying use cases, your organization can position itself for long-term success.
AI is about empowering your teams to work smarter and drive meaningful innovation. Remember, evolving with technology isn’t optional; it’s essential for future competitiveness.
Stoneridge is Your AI and Automation Partner
Navigating the complexities of AI and automation can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go it alone. At Stoneridge, we specialize in helping you understand and implement these transformative technologies.
Whether you're just starting or looking to enhance your existing strategy, our team guides you every step of the way. From exploring use cases to deploying solutions tailored to your business needs, we’re ready to help you unlock the potential of AI and automation.
Do you have questions or need support? Contact us—we’re happy to help you move forward with confidence.
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