Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that deals with the programming and design of both hardware and software systems that allow machines to be equipped with certain characteristics, considered typically human. Examples of artificial intelligence daily used are: Siri, Alexa and other smart assistants, self-driving cars, Robo-consultants, conversation bots, spam filters for email and much more. Artificial intelligence is used in several domains to provide detailed information about user behaviour, an example are the recommendations of Netflix.
The first research done on artificial intelligence, in the 1950s, focused on the creation of programs capable of imitating the logical reasoning of humans. This early work opened the way for the automation of today’s computers, including those systems designed to integrate and increase human capabilities.
In other words, AI allows:
- Automation: It can automate processes and tasks without any effort.
- Improvement: It can effectively refine products and services by improving end-user experiences.
- Analysis and precision: AI analysis is much faster and more accurate than humans.
How Artificial Intelligence is used
AI works by combining large amounts of data and processing them quickly through intelligent algorithms, allowing the software to learn automatically from the models or characteristics of the data. AI is a very wide field of study that includes several theories and technologies, the main subsets are:
- Machine Learning, a data analysis method that automates the construction of analytical models. Human intervention is minimized, as systems are able to learn from data, identify models themselves, and make decisions.
- Deep learning, a machine learning subcategory, is a technique that trains the computer to perform tasks similar to human, such as speech recognition, image identification or prediction.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) is the ability of computers to analyse, understand and use human language, including speech. The NLP helps computers communicate with humans by allowing humans to communicate with computers using normal, everyday language to carry out their activities.
- Computer Vision trains computers to interpret and understand images and videos. Machines can identify and classify objects and interpret their surroundings in real time.
Why Artificial Intelligence is important
As for the Internet of Things (IoT) devices, whose application for many sectors represents a revolutionary change in terms of potential and services for end users, you need to have reliable sources in order to properly train this type of system. A solution to these problems can be represented by their joint use, generating a synergy between worlds that represent the future of technological evolution.
In summary, the advantages of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are:
- Reduction of human error
- Automation of repetitive jobs
- Digital assistance
- Faster decisions
- Improving safety
- Always available
- Efficient communication
In everyday life, AI is applied in many sectors: in the world of Retail it is used for all the functionalities of online shopping and in the manufacturing sector allows you to analyse company IoT data. It is clear that in the business sector AI can transform and optimize many sectors, for example, it is also applied to the healthcare sector for personalized medical readings, administrative tasks and even in robot-assisted surgery. Another important application is cybersecurity, as AI systems can help recognize and combat cyberattacks based on models recognition and return of attacks.
AI opens new paths to the clean energy of the future
Among the latest extraordinary news from the world of Artificial Intelligence, Google AI has learned to control the plasma inside a nuclear fusion reactor. That is the very hot and rarefied gas of ions and electrons that is confined by a magnetic field inside the doughnut container called tokamak. The achieved result opens new scenarios for the exploitation of a future source of clean energy, the study was published in the journal Nature by researchers of the Federal Polytechnic of Lausanne (EPFL) in collaboration with the British company DeepMind Google. The researchers developed an algorithm capable of controlling magnetic coils to produce and maintain a variety of plasma configurations. According to the authors, this new approach can help improve the design and management of future fusion reactors, maximizing their performance.
Artificial Intelligence today represents a reality and no longer a hypothesis and in the near future could lead to a new incredible cultural and industrial revolution.
The future is now!
