Human + Machine (#HplusM)

Look around you. Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a futuristic notion, it's here right now—such as software that senses what we need, supply chains that "think" in real time, and robots that respond to changes in their environment. 21st century pioneer companies are already using AI to innovate and grow fast. The bottom line is this: Businesses that understand how to harness AI can surge ahead. Those that neglect it will fall behind. Which side are you on?

In Human + Machine, Accenture leaders Paul Daugherty and Jim Wilson show that the essence of the AI paradigm shift is the transformation of all business processes within an organization—whether related to breakthrough innovation, everyday customer service, or personal productivity habits. As humans and smart machines collaborate ever more closely, work processes become more fluid and adaptive, enabling companies to change them on the fly—or to completely reimagine them. AI is changing all the rules of how companies operate.

Based on the authors' experience and new research with 1,500 organizations, the book reveals how companies are using the new rules of AI to leap ahead on innovation and profitability, as well as what you can do to achieve similar results. It describes six entirely new types of hybrid human + machine roles that every company must develop, and it includes a "leader's guide" with the five crucial principles required to become an AI-fueled business.

These insights have been gleaned from Accenture's experience in bringing together the power of Artificial Intelligence with—our deep industry, analytics and technology expertise to help our clients get real business value from these new technologies—now. Accenture Applied Intelligence helps clients transform every facet of their business through Artificial Intelligence—to become an Intelligent Enterprise—from ideation to industrialization.

Human + Machine provides the missing and much-needed management playbook for success in our new age of AI.

Human + Machine outlines the opportunities and challenges for executives, workers, and students in the Age of AI. Along with its great promise, AI will also cause disruption to certain professions, and many people will need education, training and support to prepare for newly created jobs as well as jobs that are transformed. To support this need, the authors are donating the royalties received from the sale of this book to fund education and retraining programs focused on developing fusion skills for the age of artificial intelligence.

Paul Daugherty is Accenture’s Group Chief Executive – Technology & Chief Technology Officer. He oversees all aspects of developing and delivering Technology’s capabilities, bringing innovation, intelligence, and deep industry experience together with leading technologies from ecosystem partners to help clients reinvent their businesses as intelligent enterprises and innovate at scale.

As chief technology officer, Paul is responsible for driving innovation through research and development (R&D) activities in Accenture Labs and leveraging emerging technologies to bring the newest innovations to clients globally. He founded and oversees Accenture Ventures, which is focused on strategic equity investments and open innovation to accelerate growth. Paul is responsible for managing Accenture’s alliances, partnerships and senior-level relationships with leading and emerging technology companies. He is also a member of Accenture’s Global Management Committee.