Artificial intelligence (AI) has come a long way. The journey of AI is as old as that of computers. For a long time, the intelligence of computers was gauged using the Turing test. According to the test, a computer is intelligent if it can engage in a conversation with a human without being discovered to be a computer.
Whether or not the artificial intelligence systems of today pass the Turing test can be debated. But one thing is clear. Modern AI has become incredibly powerful. And the capabilities of AI only continue to grow.
The use of AI technologies in startups has continued to grow. A good number of startups are focused on exploring new uses of AI and extending the frontiers of already existing applications.
This article will give a snapshot of AI in the modern world, from the applications of AI in workplaces to AI technologies in startups that are cropping up in the hundreds.
The State of AI
Currently, AI is applied in almost every industry, with the applications being of a widely varying nature. You’ll find AI being used on e-commerce websites and generally in digital advertising to serve you products that you are more likely to buy. You’ll also find it being used on roads to guide autonomous vehicles and help achieve a zero traffic accident world.
A number of things have led to such a remarkable spread of AI.
There’s So Much Data
We live in the age of big data, data that is unstructured and, most importantly, generated in staggering quantities. One of the major reasons for this is that we are spending a lot of our lives on the internet. And everything we do on the web generates data: Every search you make, every item you hover on, every website you visit, every download you make etc
We also live in the world of smart devices, from watches to fridges, all of which generate data.
This data presents the unique opportunity to feed AI models. If you want a computer to automatically recognize faces, it is easier than ever to train it with millions of faces from the web.
Processing Power Has Gone Through the Roof
Computer parts have been getting smaller and packing a greater punch. Right now, the average smartphone is more powerful than the most advanced computer at the turn of the century.
The technology of chip manufacturing has continued to grow by leaps and bounds. Not only are chips more powerful but there are also chips that are specialized for AI.
For example, graphics processing units, which were used chiefly to render video, have now been modified for use in AI. The result is faster, more powerful processing and better AI applications as a direct result.
The Internet Has Enabled Connectivity and Collaboration
In the past, a technology could be limited to only certain people or a certain location. Now, there are no limits to knowledge. Skills are effortlessly disseminated over the internet.
In addition, communication has become easy. Barriers like distance are no longer significant. People across the world can collaborate effortlessly, making it easier for technology such as AI to advance.
Interesting Applications of AI
Text to Video AI
Text to Video AI involves the automatic conversion of text to video through artificial intelligence-powered software. This innovation means that you can create video without having to go to the studio.
Industry 4.0
One of the greatest uses of AI in workplaces is industry 4.0, which is a term used to embody the smart automation and interconnectivity that industries are adopting.
With everything interconnected, workplaces are safer and processes can be optimized through the data collected.
Inspection
Artificial intelligence has greatly enhanced the value of drones. For example, rather than performing manual inspection on assets such as power lines, drones just fly over the assets. Afterwards, the feed collected is analyzed by artificial intelligence to expose any problems.
Autonomous Driving
We used to say that in the future, cars would become self-driving. That future is here with us, and artificial intelligence is playing a major part in its realization.
Already, AI is being used in semi-autonomous vehicles and is paving the way for fully autonomous vehicles.
