IBM announced the launch of Watson Works, a set of products that features Watson artificial intelligence (AI) models and applications to help companies handle return-to-workplace challenges.
Watson Works provides data-driven insights to help employers make informed decisions on workplace re-entry, facilities management, space allocation and other COVID-related priorities.
“We’ve designed Watson Works to help businesses navigate the workplace with the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis as effectively as possible,” said Bob Lord, senior vice president, Cognitive Applications, Blockchain and Ecosystems, IBM.
How Watson Works works
Watson Works helps in management of facilities and optimize space allocation by using real-time data provided by the employer including WiFi, cameras, Bluetooth beacons and mobile phones. This data enables managers to reallocate spaces, designate no-go zones, arrange for cleaning and monitor crowding, social distancing and mask-wearing.
Watson Works prioritizes employee health by enabling employers to make evidence-based decisions about when to have employees return to the workplace and when certain offices or worksites should be closed.
Watson Works facilitates the collection and analysis of real-time data from multiple sources, including local infection rates and trends, voluntarily shared employee symptoms and test results, employee and household health risks, and state and local regulations. Additionally, managers can be swiftly alerted to relevant updates.
Watson Works helps in communication with employees, vendors and other stakeholders. Through virtual agents and apps that use Watson’s Natural Language Processing capabilities, employees can get answers from employers to COVID-19 and HR questions, self-report symptoms, or learn whether or not they should report to work that day.
Employees can also find out what time the employer thinks is the best time to arrive at the office, to avoid overcrowding.
Watson Works maximizes the effectiveness of contact tracing by assisting organizations with support for care agents and contact tracers.
When employees voluntarily notify their employers of a positive test result and give consent, contact tracers can conduct interviews and use information from multiple sources to help identify individuals who should be notified of potential exposure, IBM said.