Utilizing new technology is a great way to make your workflow more efficient. With Artificial Intelligence (AI) becoming more robust, now is a good time to consider how it could help you with your day-to-day tasks. Learning how to use AI as a freight agent can take some time as you experiment with the different ways it can assist you. This article breaks down some ways AI can be used to help give you a solid starting point.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
AI is the technology that allows computers and other devices to perform tasks that require a simulation of human intelligence such as reasoning, writing, analyzing, and problem-solving. The type of AI most people are familiar with is generative AI which can be used to create content based on a set of data it has been trained on. Generative AI models can create images, video, text, and code following the directions of a prompt. For example, ChatGPT was trained on a large collection of text data and can generate text to fit a given prompt. It is a large language model that is designed to respond conversationally and can be used in many creative ways to improve your workflow. Although it can be a powerful tool it must be noted that ChatGPT does not have the most up-to-date information available and needs to be fact-checked before its responses can be utilized.
Operational Efficiency
One way that generative AI can help your workflow become more efficient is by standardizing your communications. Asking AI to generate a template for responses to frequently asked questions can help you save time on repetitive tasks and allow you to better dedicate your time to providing personalized assistance to your clients.
You can also use models like ChatGPT to analyze public data sets on the latest freight market trends. You can ask the model to break down a report into bullets highlighting the most important information which you can then use to better inform your clients and grow your business.
By using AI in these ways you may also be able to consult your clients about how to improve their efficiency with each shipment. Use data and your own reasoning to identify practical ways your clients can benefit from AI or from a better understanding of market data. By providing insight into these areas you will be able to create more value for your clients.
Communication Enhancement
Another way that generative AI can be used is to help you practice new skills and refine your sales techniques. This can be done by using a prompt asking the AI to pretend to be a potential client and to have a discussion about their shipping needs with you. After your discussion, you can ask the AI for feedback on your selling technique and what areas you can improve upon to help enhance the client experience. AI can also assist you in learning more about the industry of potential clients and help you to anticipate their needs.
AI can enhance your written communication by proofreading emails and performing a tone analysis for you. Keeping your communication free from accidental errors can help prevent misunderstandings and make your communication more efficient. In addition, if you are unsure of how your message will be received AI can provide feedback on the tone of your email and give suggestions for how to create the feeling you are looking for.
Fact-Checking and Privacy
Although new AI technology is exciting and can help make your workflow more efficient it is important to remember that not all information provided to you will be accurate. A best practice when using AI is to double-check any facts or figures it provides to ensure you have the best possible information. In ChatGPT, you can ask for a prompt at the end of a generated response to remind you to check for accuracy on the information being provided. You can do this by clicking on your profile in the bottom left corner and then selecting the ‘customize ChatGPT’ option. In the second text box, you can add rules that the AI must follow when responding to you. Some helpful rules include:
- After a response, ask me to double-check any facts or figures that were provided for accuracy.
- Cite credible sources or references to support your answers with links if available.
- Always focus on the key points in my questions to determine my intent.
- If a question is unclear, ask for more details to confirm your understanding before answering.
It is also important to remember to respect the privacy of clients and other individuals when using generative AI. Refrain from including sensitive data, names, or other identifying information when working with an AI. When asking questions that refer to any of this information make sure to anonymize individuals and companies as well as specific information relating to loads, carriers, or clients to protect privacy. In many cases, it is possible to ask an AI general questions regarding the situation you would like help with while excluding identifying details.
There are many ways using AI as a freight agent can help you to improve efficiency and refine your process. This technology can act as additional support for you in your day-to-day tasks, from market research to learning a new selling technique. AI is a powerful tool in your arsenal when used effectively and experimenting with it can lead to an enhanced experience for both you and your clients.