Hybrid companies – a step towards a new era of cooperation between humans and machines

Why the move to hybrid companies?

• Advanced new technologies: the development and improvement of artificial intelligence, especially generative AI systems, are enabling effective collaboration between humans and machines
• Increasing economic pressure: rising competition and escalating pressure on margins demand innovative solutions to boost efficiency and profitability
• A worsening lack of expert resources: difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified staff have led to a rise in demand for operative optimisation and the use of intelligent systems
• Advancing globalisation & digitalisation: the rapid growth of networking and the ongoing digital transformation are opening up new opportunities for the integration of AI-based technologies in companies.
• Improved sustainability & resource efficiency: hybrid companies can help to use resources more efficiently and thus have a positive effect on the environment and society

Definition and background

In the era of digitalisation and automation, there are an increasing number of innovative concepts fundamentally changing the way we work and interact with one another. One of these ground-breaking ideas is the concept of the ‘hybrid company’: a company where humans and machines work seamlessly together to achieve optimal results.

Hybrid companies are companies that combine the abilities of humans and artificial intelligence (AI) in order to increase efficiency and productivity. Human capabilities such as creativity, intuition and emotional intelligence are combined with the benefits of machines, such as the ability to process high volumes of data, reduce error levels and carry out tasks more quickly.

The rise of hybrid companies is closely linked to the development of artificial intelligence and generative AI. Generative AI refers to algorithms which learn independently and create their own content based on the data and information entered. This means they can identify complex links and generate innovative solutions that go beyond what conventional algorithms can achieve.

In parallel with the continued development of AI, data science and data platforms have also established themselves as key elements of the modern economy. Data science allows valuable findings and recommended actions to be derived from large volumes of data, while data platforms serve as an infrastructure for the processing, analysis and storage of this data. Both are key to the effective use of AI and the deployment of a hybrid company.

In this context, hybrid companies represent a very promising prospect for the future of work. By integrating humans and machines, they can focus both on the needs of the market and those of employees, thus heralding a new era of cooperation.

Practical examples

There are lots of promising applications in the field of hybrid companies, so in this section, we are going to concentrate on the insurance industry. The focus is on the potential to increase efficiency and productivity through collaboration between humans and machines.

Automated claims processing: one of the greatest challenges for the insurance industry is the fast and efficient processing of claims. Hybrid companies rely on AI-based systems to automatically analyse claims, apply the appropriate insurance conditions and make decisions on payouts. These systems are continually learning from the decisions made by the case workers, allowing them to become more accurate and efficient all the time.

Personalised tariffs and risk assessment: using data science and AI, insurers can analyse large volumes of customer data in order to draw up individual risk profiles and offer best-fit insurance products. Using automated analyses of behavioural data, e.g. from fitness trackers or tachographs, insurers can better estimate risks and offer their customers personalised tariffs that meet their actual requirements.

Intelligent customer advice: in hybrid companies, insurance brokers are supported by AI-based systems that help them respond to customer enquiries quickly and accurately. Chatbots and voice assistants enable round-the-clock customer support that draws on extensive knowledge and experience. These AI-based advice systems are constantly learning and thus improving the quality of the advice they offer.

Fraud detection: hybrid companies use AI and data science to detect insurance fraud more effectively. Suspicious cases can be identified based on patterns in claim data and subjected to more in-depth analysis. This not only increases profitability but also helps protect honest customers from unjustified premium hikes.

These examples show how hybrid companies in the insurance industry can utilise the cooperation between humans and machines in order to design processes more efficiently, increase customer satisfaction and, ultimately, improve profitability.

Challenges and solutions

Transforming into a hybrid company offers a wealth of opportunities for companies, but there are also challenges along the way. Some of the most important of these are outlined below, along with potential solutions.

Ethics & data protection: one of the key challenges is the ethical handling of artificial intelligence and the protection of personal data. Companies need to make sure that they integrate ethical principles into their strategies and respect the privacy of their customers.

Solutions:

• Introduction of ethics guidelines and data privacy policies in compliance with current laws and regulations
• Regular testing and updating of these guidelines in response to changing conditions
• Staff training on ethical issues and the handling of personal data
   

Adaptation of business processes & company structures: transforming into a hybrid company often means adapting existing business processes and organisational structures. While artificial intelligence is great when it comes to data analysis, pattern recognition and routine activities, humans are better at finding creative solutions. The optimal combination of humans and machines represents a perfect synergy between human and artificial capabilities.

Solution:

• Analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of human staff and artificial intelligence in order to identify the most effective distribution of tasks and responsibilities
• Establishment of new process structures to enable seamless collaboration between humans and machines and optimise the flow of information and the decision-making processes
• Proactive change management in order to foster acceptance of the new structures and processes among the staff

Staff qualifications & training: becoming a hybrid company can lead to certain qualifications and skills becoming more important, with others potentially losing relevance. Companies need to provide their staff with appropriate training so they are prepared for working with artificial intelligence.

Solution:

• Determining the skills and qualifications required with respect to artificial intelligence and hybrid companies
• Establishing continuous professional development and training programmes in order to support staff in the relevant areas
• Promoting a learning culture within the company which allows continuous development among the staff so that they remain at the cutting edge of technology

By tackling these challenges and developing suitable solutions, businesses can benefit from the move to hybrid companies and become part of the new era of collaboration between humans and machines.

Your personal route to becoming a hybrid company

Transforming into a hybrid company is a continuous process that optimises the interplay between humans and machines. Companies should consider the following in order to achieve a successful transformation:

Analysis of the current situation and identification of potential: First, the company should assess its current situation and identify the areas in which the implementation of artificial intelligence, generative AI and data-based solutions will create the greatest benefit. The focus here should be on efficiency, productivity and profitability.

Development of a strategy: The aim is to develop a comprehensive strategy, based on the analysis, which includes both short and long-term targets. The strategy should consider staff training, the implementation of technologies and the adaptation of business models in order to guarantee the seamless integration of humans and machines.

Implementation of hybrid use cases: Once they have developed a strategy, companies should gradually implement the most valuable hybrid use cases with the help of the right technologies and data platforms. It is important to promote close collaboration between the IT department and other specialist departments in order to ensure that the solutions applied meet the requirements of the individual members of staff.

Staff qualifications & further training: Transforming into a hybrid company means training staff in order to improve their ability to handle new technologies and enable effective collaboration with artificial intelligence. Companies should offer relevant training and further development schemes.

Continuous improvement of processes & systems: Transformation is a dynamic process requiring regular assessment and adaptation of processes and systems. Companies should constantly monitor their progress and obtain feedback from staff in order to further optimise the transformation.

Companies that follow these steps and ensure continuous improvement of their processes and systems will successfully transform into hybrid companies and will thus be able to increase their efficiency, productivity and profitability in the long term.

Conclusions

In this article, we have looked at the fascinating world of hybrid companies and the benefits of becoming one. Intelligent collaboration between humans and machines enables companies to increase their efficiency, productivity and profitability, and thus effectively tackle the challenges posed by pressures on margins and a lack of specialist resources.

Transforming into a hybrid company is not just a short-term trend: it is an unstoppable development that will affect more and more industries in the future. Companies who tackle it early and take the necessary measures to implement artificial intelligence, generative IT and data science will benefit from competitive advantages and sustainable success in the long term.

We would therefore like to encourage you to tackle this subject in depth and explore the potential of this development for your company. By being open to change and continuously working to optimise your processes and systems, you are laying the foundations for a successful future.

Ultimately, transforming into a hybrid company gives businesses an opportunity to redefine the boundaries of what is possible and be best prepared to face the challenges of an increasingly networked, digital world. The future belongs to those who dare to take the next step into the era of hybrid companies.