ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN LOW-DIGITALIZED ECONOMIC SECTORS: A CASE STUDY OF THE BOTTLED WATER DELIVERY BUSINESS
Back to articles of current journal| PDF: |  |
Author(s): | Mokhova V. N., |
| Number of journal: | 2(75) | Date: | June 2026 |
| Annotation: | The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence technologies has significantly transformed established processes across many sectors of the economy in recent years. The purpose of this study is to assess the potential for applying artificial intelligence in low-digitalized businesses, using the bottled water delivery sector as a case study. The relevance of the study is determined by the low level of digitalization in the industry, the high share of manual operations, and the still underexplored opportunities for integrating AI into operational activities. The paper demonstrates practical approaches to increasing profitability and reducing both product and delivery costs through the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies. The study employs comparative analysis, a systems approach, economic analysis, and the case study method. The empirical basis of the research consists of accounting data and internal operational analytics of Nestarica, a bottled water delivery company based in Nizhny Novgorod, for the period 2023-2025. These data were used to evaluate business process efficiency, cost structure, the potential economic effect of AI implementation, and the performance of logistics processes. The results identify key areas for AI integration, including demand forecasting, delivery process optimization with the potential to reduce logistics costs, customer relationship management, and the increase of customer lifetime value (LTV) through personalized interaction, ultimately leading to improved financial performance. It is concluded that artificial intelligence technologies can and should be implemented even in traditionally low-tech industries, as they represent a key factor in improving the efficiency and competitiveness of businesses in the digital economy. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying the proposed approaches in similar business models. | ||
| Keywords: | artificial intelligence, business digitalization, low-digitalized sectors, small and medium-sized business, implementation of artificial intelligence technologies, business efficiency, logistics, logistics costs, demand forecasting, customer relationship management, bottled water delivery |
||
| For citation: | Mokhova V. N. Assessing the potential of artificial intelligence in low-digitalized economic sectors: a case study of the bottled water delivery business. Biznes. Obrazovanie. Pravo = Business. Education. Law. 2026;2(75):165—171. DOI: 10.25683/VOLBI.2026.75.1618. |
||