We’ve all heard of artificial intelligence, but not everyone knows what it really is and how much of it is present in our lives: what influence it has, how important it is and how attached we are to it.
What is artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is the ability of a machine to imitate human functions: for example, reasoning, learning, planning, and even creativity. AI makes technical systems understand the environment in which they operate, process this perception and solve problems, acting to achieve a set goal.
AI technology has been around for over 50 years, but the very large amounts of data and the increase in computing power have led to enormous advances in recent years in this field. Artificial intelligence is seen as an important element of the digital development of society. It is said that future applications will bring enormous changes, but we all know that AI is already present in our daily lives.
Types of artificial intelligence
Narrow artificial intelligence
Siri from Apple or Alexa from Amazon are virtual assistants and they are part of this category, but also the automatic driving systems and more. These systems are capable of learning how to perform a few tasks.
Examples of this include the interpretation of video images filmed by drones; organisation of an agenda; answering basic questions posed by customers or potential customers; and making reservations online.
Strong artificial intelligence
This is a more flexible type of AI than the ‘narrow’ one and is characterised by its adaptability and ability to learn from experience how to perform new tasks. It is flexible and intelligent, characteristics also seen in people.
The technology that can create general artificial intelligence does not exist at the moment, and experts say that it will take several decades before this type of AI appears.
AI in our daily lives
Internet search
When we search the internet for information, do we realise when we are using artificial intelligence? Search engines learn from the data entered by users to provide as many relevant results as possible.
Online shopping and advertising
Artificial intelligence is widely used to offer internet users personalised recommendations based on their previous searches or acquisitions. AI is very important in economics, for product optimisation and logistics.
Automatic translation
Translation software, written or oral, uses artificial intelligence to translate, but also to improve. It also facilitates automatic subtitles.
Games
This is the ideal environment for the development of artificial intelligence. Did you know that all games, video games, slots, and more have an advanced AI behind them? This will allow you to have a smooth game, develop a series of strategies and be able to set the game screen according to your preferences.
Cyber security
AI systems help detect and combat cyber-attacks and even other cyber threats that are based on continuous data input, recognising attacks.
Smart infrastructure
Smart thermostats are moulded to our energy-saving behavior, and smart city developers are trying to control traffic to reduce congestion.
AI could also improve safety in rail traffic, improve its speed and efficiency, by minimising wheel friction, maximising speed and allowing autonomous driving.
It could also improve the administration and public services trying to use a wide range of data and recognise patterns, AI could provide early warnings about natural disasters allowing for effective preparedness and obviously mitigating the consequences that could follow.
Artificial intelligence has an important role in everyday life. We find it at every step we take and it is constantly growing.