AI assistants are now more commonplace in homes because they streamline a variety of tasks. Examples include Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant. They can set alarms, play music, answer questions and control smart home devices.
But what about the workplace itself?
Well, companies across myriad industries have turned to AI to optimize internal operations. Perficient Inc., for example, recently rolled out Scarlett, an AI chatbot aimed at improving employee efficiency across its global workforce.
The digital consultancy said Scarlett "is designed to serve as a reliable virtual assistant" for Perficient's nearly 7,000 employees, fielding queries, linking workers to internal tools, and offering language translation services.
Developed by Perficient's AI experts, Scarlett draws on a combination of technologies (including Microsoft Azure and OpenAI) to provide information and complete tasks. The chatbot accesses a custom-built knowledge base, the company's learning center and pre-programmed logic functions to formulate responses.
Perficient really emphasizes its commitment to responsible AI development. The company has stated howScarlett was created under the guidance of its AI policy and steering committee to ensure data privacy, security and compliance.
The chatbot also schedules meetings, sets reminders and offers translation services, which caters to the diverse needs of Perficient's global workforce.
“By leveraging the power of AI, we are providing colleagues with a seamless and efficient way to access information and support, ultimately empowering them to focus on their core responsibilities and drive business success,” said Michael Zucker, Vice President of IT, Perficient. “Colleagues have quickly embraced Scarlett as a valued member of the Perficient team.”
While AI chatbots have gained popularity in recent years, Perficient believes Scarlett sets itself apart by focusing specifically on employee productivity. The company plans to continually refine the chatbot's capabilities based on employee feedback.
Perficient's move into AI-powered tools aligns with a broader industry trend of using technology to enhance workplace efficiency. As businesses fight with increasing workloads and a competitive talent market, tools like Scarlett are essential for maintaining productivity and employee satisfaction.
As Scarlett becomes integrated into the daily workflow of Perficient employees, the company will closely monitor its performance and explore opportunities for expansion.
“Scarlett uses a trifecta of generative AI, business logic, and generative models to communicate with users and provide a balanced, transparent approach that meets our business needs without sacrificing user experience,” said Gustavo Azambuja, Systems Business Analyst, Perficient. “This robust and adaptable structure makes Scarlett a key piece in our digitalization and process optimization strategy.”
The chatbot, initially introduced to staff in Latin America and the U.S., is now accessible worldwide.
Be part of the conversation to understand how both customer and employee experiences are changing at Future of Work Expo 2025. The conference, taking place February 11-13, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, focuses on key elements of today's re-imagined workplace; not just for improving productivity, but also for providing all-around better experiences.
Edited by
Alex Passett
