getty New technologies are changing the business world at breakneck speed. However, none are expected to make a greater impact than artificial intelligence (AI). Most people would agree that we’re approaching a future where intelligent computers complete complex work processes and drive strategic business decisions. That future may be closer than you might think. The watershed moment for AI will be when the technology reaches what is known as "the singularity," or the point where AI becomes smarter than humans. Some technology leaders like Ray Kurzweil, the director of engineering at Google, have predicted reaching the singularity by 2045 . Others have made the even bolder claim that this milestone could be reached in as little as seven years from now . Whichever the case, it’s clear that there is no stopping the future of AI. Leaders need to figure out the best ways to embrace AI technology and pivot their business models today. The good news is that you don’t have to be a technology firm to start leveraging AI. As I wrote about recently , there are several great AI tools and technologies that even small businesses can deploy to give them a competitive edge and prepare […]