AI – or artificial intelligence – is changing how we carry out everyday tasks. It’s updating processes around the home and overhauling existing systems in the workplace.
This tech is revolutionising the way we live our lives. But what exactly is AI? And how does it fit in the world we live in?
What is AI?
AI is a term that refers to a collection of technologies that can replicate human thought to carry out a task. This tech can solve problems, and, in many cases, it can move faster than a human.
In some cases, AI programming is automated.
This means that it can be set up to operate on its own without any human intervention. In other cases, there is a person who is picking up some of the work.
How do we use AI?
AI is a combination of data and intuitive algorithms. AI can process the data that’s inputted and use the algorithms to learn patterns of behaviour. It will then solve a problem or carry out a task based on the data that it received.
We are increasingly using AI to carry out complex tasks that people would usually do. Parts of a person’s job role that might have always been carried out by a human are now being handed over to AI systems.
Some examples of sectors and industries that use AI include:
● Healthcare – AI systems can be used to detect signs and symptoms of an illness. It can also be used in diagnostics.
● Farming – traditional farming methods are increasingly being swapped out for AI systems. AI-based robots are overseeing everything from harvesting to irrigation.
● Marketing – AI has been used in marketing for a while. However, in recent months the rise of Chat GPT has seen digital PR and content teams automate their output. The AI tool is being used to answer questions and write pieces. Marketing companies are even investing in dedicated ChatGPT VPN to protect their work.
The benefits of AI
There are plenty of pros to consider if you’re thinking of investing in AI:
● It’s fast – AI can often speed up processes that once took a lot of time for humans to carry out.
● It’s easy – once users know how to set up and programme their AI systems, in most cases it’s easy to use. This helps to make it become second nature.
● It’s cost-effective – while the initial layout for some AI can be expensive, there are cases where it can help with profits in the long run. This is because it could, for example, reduce the need for humans carrying out tasks. This saves paying for a salary.
The disadvantages of AI
It’s worth being aware of the downsides of AI too:
● It can break – no tech is infallible. AI can process and learn from mistakes. But there’s the risk that a job will need doing twice if the AI doesn’t succeed the first time.
● It can be limited – tech moves fast. This means that, while you might have bought the best model at the time, it can quickly become dated.
● It can create privacy issues – there’s a risk that data can fall into the wrong hands. It can also mean that company owners might be more likely to discriminate against the people they could hire for a role.
● It means you lose humans – by swapping out AI systems for people, you could find that your workforce is replaced by robots. This puts people out of work. It also means you lose interactions with staff.
What’s next?
AI tech moves fast. As we continue to embrace this new world of human-like automation, it’s likely we’ll see even more of these systems integrate into our everyday lives.
