You use AI everyday and more often than you think, usually without realising. You probably found this blog by using AI in a search engine. But what is AI? Well, our definition is: “Artificial Intelligence simulates human intelligence and problem-solving capabilities using the intelligence of machines and software.”
So, how are you already using AI?
1. Browsing social media. Social media is highly dependent on interactions such as, liking a post and, data sharing, for example making a comment and posting a picture. Based on that data and those interactions, a personal algorithm is created. The algorithm gathers your different interests and habits, finds similar content and presents it all in one place. So now you spend more time on the App encouraging App purchases or prolonged sharing of personal data which benefits the social media companies. The algorithm is AI.
2. Customer service assistant. If you have ever visited your phone company or energy providers website, you will have been asked if you wanted to chat (do you remember the Microsoft paperclip?). You may have noticed that you get fixed responses to key words, questions or responses that you put in, which then filters to the next question. If not, you are transferred to a human. This service chat robot aims to get you the common answer quicker and keeps human advisors available for questions if the service chat robot cannot answer. The service chat robot is AI.
3. Unlocking your phone. When you unlock your phone using face recognition, an image of your face is captured. This image is compared with the original stored image and looks to match reference points between the two images. Within FaceID the TrueDepth camera recognises you by capturing an inferred image. This information is matched against the stored mathematical representation to authenticate you are the right person to access the device. The FaceID system is AI.
4. Maps applications. Your lost so you open a Maps App and an algorithm presents you with various options and route choices using live data based on time, milage, transport type and direction. Whilst traveling your suddenly notified “We’ve found you a quicker route, save 5 minutes by going down X Road”. The App reduces your travel anxiety and gets you where you need to be, when you need to be there. The algoritym at the start and running in the background is AI.
5. Listening to music. Music recommendation systems use AI by analysing your user listening history to suggest new songs or artists that you may like based on what you frequently listen to. The newest streaming platform that has introduced this is Spotify with their algorithm called Spotify DJ, this uses technology to predict songs you may like based on songs you usually listen to on specific days or new songs you may like. The prediction technology is AI.
AI can appear scary and make you feel out of control but guess what? Even the creators of AI don’t know the full capabilities that it holds. However, having a better understanding of some of the opportunities and amazing AI solutions already being used helps to put you back in control. If you found this blog with the assistance of AI, it got you the information you were looking for quickly, educated you and found you the solution you needed. The world of technology doesn’t stop moving, so take the time to learn about the technology we have and are using today to help us understand how it can enable us in the future.
PS. Not written using AI (But it could have been if we wanted it too!)