When we talk about Continuous improvement, as a concept, we refer to a constant WIP mode of innovation, enhancement and incremental progress. Take all possible learnings and loop it back an input to further refine a product or process.
VOC, VOB, error types, new data or new pattern or behavior of a certain process or a machine that can be studied, performance monitoring. Getting RCAs. Feeding it back into the system and closing the loop of a continuous self-learning improvement process with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
Natural language programing Reinforcement Learning :
AI agents can learn by interacting with end users and learning best practices from online forums and receiving feedback (rewards or penalties).
Over a period of time, AI models or AI agents can improve their decision-making based on outcomes.
Example: AI in customer service optimizing responses based on customer satisfaction scores. Also, in an AI agent environment if a customer rates a low score or not resolved on a survey. AI can ask customer if he or she wants to get redirected to additional support
Utilize online libraries:
System based or conventional training methods have a focused content and is periodically reviewed once or twice a year. Unlike traditional models trained once on a fixed dataset, online learning allows models to update continuously as new data arrives.
Can prove to be extremely useful in dynamic environments like fraud detection system that can improve itself whenever a new fraud pattern emerges or email classification or query categorization.
Optimized Human-in-the-Loop (HITL):
AI backend can incorporate VOC of output or a human feedback to refine and improve performance. On a continuous basis which a key component of continuous improvement
For example, customer service agents correcting AI-generated email drafts helps the model learn better phrasing, grammar, formatting, and tone.
Use concepts like A/B Testing and Feedback Loops:
A tried and tested AI system can test different strategies (e.g., email templates) and learn which ones perform better.
Manual or online VOC and Feedback loops help the system adapt to changing customer behavior or business goals.
e.g. In a Banking Email Customer Service Context:
AI can learn from:
VOC (NPS scores, complaints and RCA)
Agent corrections to AI-suggested replies, check of all queries are answered in a multi query email.
Frequency and Escalation patterns (e.g., which types of queries lead to dissatisfaction)
Compliance checks (to avoid regulatory violations)
Though there will be challenges to guarantee a continuous improvement on AI based models, if we study it enough it can be overcome.
Challenges like
Propagation of systematic Bias. For e.g. an AI model might be more favorable to a certain type of machine or high-performance shift timing, or certain region in terms of Sales etc.
Distribution or pattern shift. Or drifting of parameters,
Real world the situation changes dynamically so AI will have to be trained to Adapt. Failing which it will follow a fixed pattern and might not necessarily be effective.
In manufacturing or Healthcare sector or if we speak from a Six sigma perspective AI can
Conduct SPC if we feed it in initial stage. Analyze process deviations
If we find some points or processes out of control, we will implement solutions to get the process in control, AI agent can learn from such corrective actions
It can also Suggest process changes to reduce defects depending upon previous corrective actions taken by us or information available online.
Would be better poised to predict process output or future failures or improvement opportunities