Deloitte, one of the world’s largest professional services firms, is set to deploy its in-house-developed AI chatbot, PairD, to 75,000 staff members in Europe and the Middle East. This move aims to leverage generative AI capabilities to streamline tasks such as creating PowerPoint presentations, drafting emails, and coding. Deloitte’s internal AI Academy, a training program for clients, played a pivotal role in the development of PairD, distinguishing it from solutions provided by third-party vendors.
Despite its launch, challenges have arisen as employees were notified about the potential for inaccuracies in the chatbot’s output related to people, places, and facts. Deloitte stresses the importance of manual due diligence and quality assurance to validate the accuracy and completeness of PairD’s responses before incorporating them into work. The tool offers additional functionalities, including the creation of project plans, project management advice, and task prioritization.
In a unique move, Deloitte has extended access to PairD to 800 staff members at the disability charity Scope, emphasizing the company’s commitment to making generative AI technology accessible to all. Richard Houston, CEO of Deloitte UK and Deloitte NSE, emphasized the need for not only technological accessibility but also the development of skills to ensure the responsible and equitable use of AI.
Houston stated, “Generative AI should be available and accessible to everyone, and businesses like ours must ensure that the adoption of AI promotes social equality rather than exacerbating existing disparities. But it’s not only about access to technology – it’s access to the skills to use it that will really create opportunity to help close the digital divide. We want to increase the accessibility of our AI platform and help Scope make full use of PairD to benefit the charity and the people they support.”
