Artificial Intelligence
What is artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence (AI) was first introduced in 1956, but was not that popular and revolutionary as it is today. AI means creating smart machines that can perform tasks which need human intelligence. So, it is an attempt to make programmed machines think and imitate human activities.
Applications of artificial intelligence in diverse fields
1. Robotics:
Robots are machines programmed to do specific tasks and solve certain problems. An interesting example of robotic hardware is the robotic vacuum that can perform the task by remembering the routes in the room and knowing the room size.
2. Healthcare:
AI is fundamental in healthcare. Now some surgeries can be performed by professionals assisted by robots. Moreover, some hospitals use AI machines to help them with management of the place, patients’ diagnosis and treatment.
3. Finance:
AI guarantees excellent accuracy levels in finance. Automated machines can save time and money and companies now are depending on them. They are programmed to use algorithms and work on transactions, management and tax-loss harvesting, for instance.
4. Transportation:
Now it is easier to move and travel thanks to AI. It can help you book your flight and hotel at a better price and make travel recommendations for you. Google smart maps and mobile phone applications set wonderful examples of this technology.
5. Social media:
Billions of users are using social media across platforms like Facebook or Twitter. AI is managing this huge amount of data, so it is widely embedded there. For instance, Image recognition accuracy is very high on Facebook or Instagram.
6. E-commerce:
E-commerce market leaders are using AI to increase sales and build loyalty with customers. AI can manage many steps in the process like sorting and shipping products. The best example here is Amazon. Amazon even moved forward and introduced Alexa which is a voice assistant powered by AI.
7. Marketing:
Markets and businesses nowadays rely greatly on AI to manage their operations. Business meetings can be arranged and organized more easily and quickly.
8. Criminal justice:
AI collects data about certain people and ranks them according to their age, criminal activity, drug records, etc. in this way, justice experts can predict criminal activity better and the whole system will be fairer.
Risks of artificial intelligence
A list of benefits in different fields was mentioned above. However, some risks can be found. The main risk is the use of AI in weapons. Weapons are programmed to kill and they will become devastating when in the hands of wrong people. They could cause real and serious casualties.
Another risk is that AI machines might outsmart humans in the future. They might take control of the planet and humans will not be the strongest or smartest anymore. Some researchers say this case is not futuristic, it is real now. Look, for example, at AI systems which do not get tired as humans do. They can also recognize certain case like cancer before doctors do. Amazon can predict your order before you really think about your package and this is called ‘predictive shipping’.
In addition, issues like empathy, equality and love are not taken into account because those systems are not programed the way we are. For examples, platforms like Facebook do not care about the truth or about facts; they only care about getting you involved in comments and shares for as long as possible.
So, AI technology has two sides: positive and negative and the main drawback can be summarized in the word ‘superintelligence.’
Finally, a fundamental question can be asked: should humans push AI systems forward, or should we stop at this point?
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI), applications, risks
1 Comments
Good question in fact.
ReplyDelete