In the bustling era of artificial intelligence, where AI is a buzzword sweeping across LinkedIn or TikTok, I'm keen to ensure ARB Innovators is not merely keeping up—but that we're holding our own.
We're hoping to show the arboriculture industry that to thrive in the AI renaissance, the trick isn't just to adapt; it's to harness AI's raw potential to turbocharge services and solutions.
Change is difficult, but it is also inevitable. We are creatures of habit, I get that. We are typically accustomed to a particular way of doing things and may slip into a rut as a result.
Many people have been performing the same notion in the same method for far too long, which is preventing them from mixing things up and expanding creatively.
I'll say it once, and I'll say it loud for those who still aren't onboard - If you’re not using AI in your daily life, you’re making a huge mistake!!!
We are quick to dismiss emerging or new technologies because, simply put, we are misinformed about their usage and worth, and we are unable to accept them owing to a fear of change. For those of us who remember the early days of the internet, nothing has changed; no one trusted the internet, laughed at the idea of online purchases, or couldn't see how online banking would work. We wouldn't be able to live without it now.
Unlike the dawn of the internet though, generative AI is evolving fast - and I mean, FAST!
It is here, and here to stay.
This isn't 2001; you can't ignore it for years, dismiss it as a "fad," or, if you're a business owner, say that you don't need to fully understand it or how it works as long as someone on your staff does.
AI does not give a damn about how you feel about it or if you think it's a passing phase.
AI will change the way we do almost everything... quickly, whether you are onboard or not!
The AI Revolution in Our Backyard
When I started ARB Innovators at the backend of 2023, I wanted to ensure that AI and cutting-edge tech weren't just some "gimmick" tools in our toolbox; they're the driver behind a lot of what we do, the processes we integrate and the insights we provide.
Alongside it, it was important to bring drones, photogrammetry, and AI into the mix, not for the sake of saying we did, but to genuinely revolutionise the future of arboricultural consultancy.
This is about delivering a level of precision, efficiency, and insight the likes of which haven't been possible - until now.
But also, it's about presenting data in ways which I personally have never tried before. I've written 100's of technical reports in the last 15 years that I need to mix it up a bit, for my own sanity!
Plus, I've always played from a more disruptive playbook.
It's in my nature.
Adapting to AI: A Blueprint for Success in Arboriculture
Stepping into an AI-driven future means more than just upgrading your software; it's about rewiring your mindset to embrace continuous learning, flexibility, and relentless innovation.
The payoff - embracing AI is like stepping into a future where every day brings a new discovery, a new opportunity to push the envelope.
Here's (some of) the ways we at ARB Innovators are navigating these uncharted waters:
Supercharging Our Services with AI
AI's magic lies in its ability to take our Tree Surveys, BS5837 Tree Surveys for Planning or Digital Marketing Services and inject them with a dose of superpowers.
I'm not just talking about how we're leveraging AI for report writing, arboricultural data analysis, marketing (including blog writing *wink), and admin tasks.
Essentially, using AI practices that allows us to hand over reports so accurate, so detailed, they knock spots off what we've done before. Okay - maybe we're getting ahead of ourselves but I'm fired up and I want them to be the best.
This isn't about making our jobs easier so we can do less and charge more; it's about making our clients' decisions clearer, smarter, and more impactful.
Navigating the Ethical Landscape
Integrating AI into our operations means we're constantly navigating the ethical implications, from ensuring privacy, handling sensitive site or client data with great care; in line with an AI Ethics Policy we have now written, to upholding our commitment to enhancing the quality of work.
As Uncle Ben once famously said;
With great power comes great responsibility.
It's about using AI in ways that are not just smart, but also right—aligning with our core values and the trust placed in us by our clients. It's why guidelines, guardrails and ethical considerations play a crucial role in preventing misuse.
Are you looking for a place to start? check out reputable sources like the EU AI Act and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Now of course, an AI future introduces some anxiety and fear.
Believe me, fear is a dangerous demotivator in any company.
I speak to so many people who say 'AI is going to take our jobs, soon there will be no place for Arborists'Â - scary stuff! Others have said 'if you automate everything with AI in your company, you'll do yourself out of a job'.
Sure, some jobs may go. GenAI will inevitably reshape a business, potentially automating up to 70% of business tasks including more readily, backend administrative tasks, elements of marketing and client liaison. These tasks currently consume a lot of employee's time, sometimes unnecessarily.
Does this mean we shouldn't innovate?
Does this mean we should pull the plug on AI?
No.
It meanes we should plan for GenAI's future.
It is therefore critical to plan for job transition and transformation, ensuring that employees remain part of the future. Sure, difficult conversations will need to be had and you should plan for the end game - what happens when AI means certainly roles become redundant?
Remember, fearing technology coming for our jobs is a nothing new. Throughout the modern world, what were once manual jobs have been automated or the need for labour, reduced.
Always remember though, when jobs are taken away, new jobs are created.
My advice. Get good at AI as quickly as you can!
Does this mean we are doomed? As generative AI and large language models like ChatGPTÂ and Claude AIÂ continue to evolve, critical thinking and ideation will be even more important. Don't forget, with AI, you still need to come up with ideas.
Cultivating a Culture of Innovation
To truly thrive in the AI era, it's not enough to just adopt technology. You've got to breathe innovation, to live it (trust me, I drive my friends and family mad).
The culture I am trying to build at ARB Innovators is all about fostering a workspace where creativity knows no bounds, where challenging the status quo and taking (somewhat) calculated risks is part of your daily routine. It's this spirit of exploration that keeps us all discovering new possibilities, pushing me and those around me to redefine what's possible in arboriculture.
Embrace Continuous Learning
Will AI replace us?
I don't have a crystal ball but I don't believe it will, not anytime soon anyway.
Will AI replace those companies or employees who don't use it? I'm prepared to be more bold...
Yes.
This is why you have got to start training yourself and everyone around you. Whether you need it right now or not is irrelevant but know this, it is going to be inevitable.
Think long-term, long-term goals to prepare employees for the AI-shaped future workplace. Staying ahead in the AI game means our learning never stops. It's about being hungry for knowledge, about keeping our ear to the ground and our eyes on the horizon.
The Road Ahead: AI and the Future of Trees
Looking to the future, the potential for AI in arboriculture is as vast as the woodlands and forests we love.
From diagnosing tree health with laser precision to predicting environmental changes with a flick of a switch, we're on the cusp of a new era. As ARB Innovators continues to grow, I want us to prove that the future isn't something to fear; it's something to shape, to embrace, and to be excited about.
Deploying GenAI successfully requires careful planning, guidelines, ethical boundaries, and committed employee education. Once accomplished though, your business operations will never be the same and you can safeguard a robust and resilient AI-powered future.
Trust me, we're on this journey too! And whilst we are just getting started, we're here to help other SMEs in Arboriculture - after all, it's the cornerstone of our business model.
Let's make the future of arboriculture something truly extraordinary, together.