Applications of artificial intelligence , or the ability of computers to perform ever more complex tasks that formerly only humans could, has been advancing rapidly in the last few decades.
Some argue that what we call AI today is better described as algorithms that respond with pre-defined rules to complex input or human user behaviour and that true artificial intelligence involves machines being able to learn for themselves without human intervention. Google’s DeepMind, for some, is an example of system which can reach meaning and make connections without a predefined goal or through behavioural algorithms.
Although not quite the level of DeepMind, here are some other applications of artificial intelligence that are already with us today.
Virtual Assistants
Using advanced speech recognition, Apple’s personal phone assistant Siri is a semi-intelligent persona based on machine-learning that can understand natural language requests and execute them on the computer. Alexa is a similar tool that can be used to shop on the web, make appointments, set alarms and run smart home systems among many other things. These developments bring the promise of an all-knowing, intelligent interlocutor from science fiction ever closer to reality.
Self Driving Vehicles
Tesla, in production, already features some self-driving features and there are a number of companies today that have almost mastered wholly autonomous self-driving vehicles that will obviate the need for a human driver. Relying on advanced vision processing and LIDAR technology self-driving cars promise a future where road congestion is a thing of the past, and if it isn’t, at least a person can spend time doing something useful rather than sitting in traffic.
John Paul
John Paul is a luxury travel company that provides predictive AI services to its customers. It is able to understand customer needs and desires through analysis of concierge services that it provides to its millions of customers at an extremely granular level – anticipating what a customer needs before they know themselves.
Netflix
From starting out sending DVDs in the post, Netflix has grown to be one of the biggest entertainment providers on the planet. Its highly accurate predictive technology based on machine learning analyzes billions of viewer data points to suggest films to consumers. It wouldn’t be surprising to learn that it is also used to decide, in very broad terms, the films the company should produce.
Amazon
Amazon has a powerful transactional AI system that provides suggestions to shoppers on its site based on other online behaviour and provides highly targeted suggestions for products that might be of interest.
