Kinship AI redefines workplace communication

Bangladeshi entrepreneurship Kinship AI (artificial intelligence) has revolutionised the method of workplace communication.

The AI-based human resource management, enabled with an especial ChatBot, helps manage workers and executives at a factory setting up a direct communication between workers and management levels.

Connecting both of the parties through digital technology, it ensures sustainability in supply chain and brings transparency in the process.

Following successes at the domestic arena, the Kinship platform has already made its way to Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and India with several international business calls.

Kinship AI kicked off its journey in 2016. Its domestic office stationed at the city’s Gulshan while the overseas office situated in Singapore. Boutaina Faruq, daughter of SQ Group chairman Muhammad Ghulam Faruq, had been working to develop a quality of life of garment workers as they have five factories in Bhaluka and Maona. Her husband Rameez Hoque handed him to find a way. Through the process, they created a new communication method to have an effective direct feedback and reaction from the workers.

It works through a mobile application named “Kinship”.

Following its success, several domestic garment factories and international brand geoLingo showed interest to use the platform.

In 2017, Alvi Awwal, Shahriar Rahman, and Shafkat Alam joined the couple to take the platform to next level.

Kinship’s head of operations at Dhaka office Alvi said their platform will soon be used at several factories in Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India.

He also said they have already received funds from some big global donors.

A female worker at a Savar factory on anonymity said there is an application on her Anroid phone, through which she can apply for leave from home.

Once an application has been filed, the human resources department can easily report their feedback.

SQ Group’s deputy chief people officer Zohan Ahmed said they use an Anroid app through which they can easily communicate with workers and employees. More than 17,000 workers and employees use the app.

He also said the tasks of human resource management have been easier. It has reduced the use of pen and paper significantly.

A worker directly can file any incident at the factory through the app.

Kinship’s chief executive officer (CEO) Rameez Hoque said it is basically an AI-based platform.

Chief technical officer Shafkat Alam said the platform has reduced the cost of factory management as it works automatically.

The platform works through several modules. Connect Module operates communication while Engaged Module operates feedback.

AI technology can predict minds of workers that helped reduce risks, satisfaction, health and attendance.

Alvi also said Savar’s GEEBEE and Gazipur’s Hoplun use Kinship’s Kiosk.

*This piece, originally published in Prothom Alo Bangla edition, has been rewritten in English by Toriqul Islam.