AI has been the talk of the town (more like the planet) for a good while now. Even though it has been around for a while, its capabilities are nowhere near what they are today.
For example, remember when you visited a website for a particular reason, and a chatbot would appear?
Chatbots are commonly seen on websites that require immediate interactions for help or guidance. It is a well-known fact that modern chatbots use artificial intelligence (AI) systems for their efficient and human-like functioning.
However, today, AI has taken several forms. Let’s explore these and try to answer these questions: what is Artificial Intelligence, and why is it becoming a part of our daily lives more than ever?
Understanding Artificial Intelligence and its modern applications
AI is the result of multiple breakthroughs, like the development of Machine Learning. It rose from the need to solve complex problems in mathematics and form ‘thinking machines’. Today, it is used in functions like GPS, search engines, text editors, and other essentials in our daily lives.
But did it just pop out of the blue? How did it emerge?
The historical timeline of Artificial Intelligence
The year 1951 saw Christopher Strachey write one of the earliest successful programs that served as an early precursor to AI, made for a game of checkers. Wowsers.
But Alan Turing was the face of the earliest substantial work in the field of AI, with his 1950 publication “Computer Machinery and Intelligence”. This proposed the Turing test (originally known as the imitation game), a test of a machine’s ability to exhibit intelligent behaviour equivalent to that of a human being.
It has taken its rightful place among some of the most prominent concepts in the philosophy of artificial intelligence.
In the Indian scenario, the roots of AI can be traced back to the works of Indian professor H.N. Mahabala around the 1960s. Research in the field, however, began when the Department of Electronics, Government of India, with the assistance of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), launched a project to support the development of Knowledge-Based Computer Systems in 1986.
But how has it all transpired in today’s world?
Inventive breakthroughs inspired by Artificial Intelligence
It is a well-known fact that inventions seek to make lives easier.
Those in the field of artificial intelligence have helped us discover hidden depths of information that were previously unknown to us. Developments in AI have already unfolded a series of unlimited possibilities.
An example could be that of Apple’s virtual assistant Siri which has simplified the everyday lives of iPhone users. Want to know what the spelling of the word ‘Entrepreneur’ is? Just ask Siri!
ChatGPT has taken the internet by storm. Using a lot of data and information, the program aids users in the completion of a task, be it offering detailed information about an animal like a Tardigrade or doing the simplest thing such as generating text based on inputs offered by users.
Google’s Bard is another such program that’s powered by Google’s very own Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA).
In a March 2023 survey, Amazon found that “among advertisers who were unable to build successful campaigns, nearly 75% cited building ad creatives and choosing a creative format as their biggest challenges.” As a result, Amazon Ads recently rolled out AI-powered image generation, enabling advertisers to leverage AI and deliver improved advertising experiences for their customers.
AI programs and mechanisms have demonstrated their capabilities to such an extent, that they have gained the confidence of people globally. Here’s how these programs are benefiting users.
Facilitating quicker decision-making
A Gartner study found that 65% of decisions being made are more complex than they were a few years ago.
Gathering insights at a swift pace, AI has been helping decision-makers attain progress in their endeavours efficiently. Their readiness and cooperation with significant algorithms assist users with consolidated data.
2. Automating repetitive tasks
In a hurry and can’t spend time on a repetitive task? Don’t worry, AI tools have you covered. From data entry to software testing, AI tools enable automation for many tasks, helping you save time for tasks that need your focus.
A study from Valoir reported that AI has the potential to automate 40% of the average workday. That is indeed a big sign of relief for businesses worldwide.
3. Ultimately improving processes and workflow
Improved efficiency and enhanced productivity result in increased revenues, and those are just what AI tools guarantee! By improving processes and offering better and error-free workflow, AI can be a messiah to many.
61% of workers say that their adoption of AI within the workplace has led to a boost in productivity (SnapLogic, 2021). Now is that a green flag in using AI, or what?
However, these programs also face several challenges. For example, 12% of the top 1000 websites are blocking ChatGPT, and the numbers are only rising. Despite these obstacles, the rise of AI is imminent.
Programs like ChatGPT and Bard are only the beginning. As time goes by, newer, better programs will come by with improved efficiency. What can you do to adapt to this dynamic shift, you ask? Try them out, and understand what works better; your output without the interference of AI or AI-aided output.
Here’s what AI will look like soon.
As tensions are rising around the presence of AI, we need to look into how AI has helped millions around the world attain excellence and efficiency in all their endeavours, and how it will continue doing so.
The growth of AI will not be limited to a particular set of sectors like healthcare or research. Despite all its shortcomings, AI will gain an extensive reach, soon, real soon. It’ll possibly seep into legislation to improve economies around the world. Marketing too, will experience the blessings of AI programs and mechanisms. Soon, next-gen experiences like the Metaverse will be enabled by the capabilities of AI.
A report by PWC states that AI has the potential to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by the year 2030.
Let’s face it; self-aware AI will soon be a thing. However, achieving self-awareness in AI does not only mean mimicking human communication but also understanding and experiencing emotions. Is self-aware AI a cause for concern? The possibilities that lie ahead, with the onset of developments like those in the field of self-aware AI, would not indicate a winner in a supposed “battle between AI and humans”. Instead, they would be an indication of how people might have adopted such developments into their lives by then.
Who’s up for an era of unprecedented opportunities?
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