With the rise of information revolution and the use of computers, there is a need for complete use of artificial intelligence.
The diverse ways in which the information revolution has touched us range from social media, to national security, research and development. There appears to be no limit as to how far it can be taken.
In the midst of this disruption of our society’s machinations, more attention is being given to the new phenomenon that could completely change the character of this revolution, Artificial intelligence or AI.
To a seasoned IT professional, it might appear to be the natural progression of events within the development of IT. Especially if they are experienced with circuit board design similar to what you could find at Gumstix.
What is artificial intelligence and why it’s important for business success?
The biggest change that AI brings is the ability to make independent decisions affecting the course of action for processes that would otherwise require human intervention.
While this may seem mundane at first glance, it a complete overhaul of the order of things with far reaching ramifications for business and society.
Indeed cognitive psychologists have found many parallels with the workings of the human brain and in most cases, AI has actually shown better decision making than their human counterparts.
For example, AI has been pitted against world chess champions and come out on top.
Coupled with its ability to improve on its own and its capacity for large tasks with excellent accuracy of calculations compared to humans, there is a huge expectation for its impact in our lives.
The nature of the use of AI does, however, render some limitations to its efficacy. Particularly in relation to its use of big data for its decision making processes. It presents a stumbling block for smaller enterprises to take advantage of this powerful new tool.
In addition, there is a significant constraint on its use in regard to the computing power required to facilitate artificial intelligence.
Despite these constraints, information technology giants have come to our rescue by providing the infrastructure allowing more parties to take advantage of this emerging technology like the live chat software.
So while corner shops and other small to medium businesses aren’t going to have AI customer support anytime soon, those with a more sizable purse are already taking advantage of AI through these giants of IT.
The use of artificial intelligence by major companies
As one might expect, there is fierce competition for dominance amidst cooperation within this new field such as Google, Facebook, Amazon, IBM, and Tesla.
Google, in collaboration with multiple institutions including the Carnegie Mellon University is attempting to pioneer self-driving cars and streamlined traffic controls with incredible success.
Figures reported include up to 40% reduction in traffic accidents, green house emissions, and traffic times. Google is also collaborating heavily in healthcare research particularly of the big data kind with genomics and such. IBM perhaps has the largest reach for their AI services for businesses.
A quick look at their website displays the myriad of avenues that they are applying this technology in business. Ranging from insurance, manufacturing, to optimize the logistic, google are truly leading in many avenues.
Facebook and google have combined efforts in the social media space towards directing contents for consumers based on search history. These are just some if the ways that AI is giving an edge to those who can harness its power.
Market share for AI services is not the only means that competition is taking place in regard to AI. Perhaps the important thing is the development of the technology itself.
Ahead of the game in regard to hardware appears to be google with their specially designed computer chips. This chips facilitate the expensive computer processing needed for AI. Google’s own Tensor processing unit is an upgrade on the design of the very capable graphics processing units. From this apparent innovations, there only appears to be continuous improvements in design.
AI Trends in software.
Similar trend are seen on the live chat software side with exponential growth in the capabilities of these systems. An excellent example is the improvements between iterations of the go-playing AI, Alpha go.
More functional AIs include Blockchain and Watson, IBM’s trainable AI systems that can specialize in any particular process. For instance, blockchain insurance that benefits from many applications such as new secure payment models. It also avoid human errors within policies and records.
A particularly interesting example of the developments in AI software is called the distributed artificial intelligence. It holds significant promise in human-AI interaction due to the similarities of its machinations to the human mind.
It uses multiple AI modules working like the human brain and can produce powerful instances of intelligence like language translation.
Addition, with the advent of self-teaching AI, and AI designing AI, there appears to no limit to its eventual facility.
Possible risks of AI.
The endless capacity for growth for AI has raised concerns for the safety of a hyper-intelligence making human decisions. Other than the risk of killer-robots with a penchant for memorable one-liners, there are still many risks to be considered.
The risk of unethical decisions in business, military, or policy is a real concern for the professionals in the field. Titans like Elon Musk have voiced concerns that border on an awaiting humanity crisis.
A phenomenon called artificial stupidity is already on the rise and needs to be checked keenly. This phenomenon involves algorithmic manipulation of social media feeds to affect the decision making of individuals.
It is a short step to manipulation of some powers to benefit individuals, such as political or business decisions. Issues like these are already at the forefront of the research into AI and steps are already being taken to cull them.
Leading companies are now hiring executives dedicated solely to the safe use and implementation of AI in their business procedures.
Likewise, committees like the G20 already include AI in their agenda for the future of the global economy and security.
There also exists a significant concern for economic stability as jobs are being performed better and cheaper by artificial intelligence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the capacity for AI in literally every aspect of life is unfathomable, especially in regard to business processes. Like any other emerging technology we must approach with cautious optimism, or risk our creations coming back for us.
