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From buzzword to asset: How is AI making its way in our country?

Kata Barariu, Head of Shared Services at the Coca-Cola Hellenic Shared Services Centre in an interview before Economic.bg


What AI tools have you implemented and what activities do they serve? Are you planning any new integrations?

Some key AI tools and applications we've implemented include: chatbots and virtual assistants for employee support. Also - computer vision applications in the warehouse operations (Vision Picking) and in the retail environment with image recognition for shelf inspection in the outlet instead of manual surveys. Predictive maintenance models to reduce equipment downtimes. Promotion optimization engines and intelligent forecasting models using machine learning to optimize inventory and supply chain planning.

We are currently evaluating additional AI use cases around intelligent route optimization for our distribution fleet, comprehensive Knowledge Hub with Enterprise Search Engine and Chatbot capabilities, personalized marketing using AI-powered customer and product segmentation.

To what extent is technology replacing the need for humans?

While the integration of AI offers tremendous benefits, it comes with its set of challenges and considerations. Data privacy, ethical AI use, and potential job displacements are among the concerns that companies, including Coca-Cola HBC, need to address. While AI automates certain tasks, our view is that it complements, accelerates, and augments human capabilities rather than fully replacing them, especially for roles requiring emotional intelligence, creativity and complex decision making. Striking a balance between technological innovation and ethical practices is essential for our sustainable and responsible AI implementation.

You can read the entire interview with Kata Barariu and managers, leading other companies in Bulgaria here.