How Artificial Intelligence Will Change Your Life
While artificial intelligence (AI) has been with us for years, lately it seems to be everywhere. Each day, innovative new tools are appearing, such as ChatGPT, the Microsoft AI Azure portfolio, and Google’s Bard. Technology’s ability to quickly process mountains of data, learn from experience, and replicate tasks associated with human cognition means that it has the potential to transform many of the things we do and enjoy. Indeed, the transformation is already underway in a wide range of areas.
We tend to adopt new technology so fast that it can take time for the questions we should be asking to catch up. For example, will AI make your job easier or make it redundant? Are you OK with your personal information being used by technology so that others can make a profit? How will AI affect you?
Improve Health Outcomes
AI is already off to a healthy start in helping to improve medical outcomes for people. It’s being used in wearable technology, such as Fitbit watches worn by consumers with fitness goals or in devices worn by patients with serious conditions, such as heart disease, to monitor their conditions while they recover at home.
With its ability to quickly crunch large amounts of data, AI can also be used to speed up diagnoses and improve clinical outcomes. Take Thymia, an AI-based video game that can quickly generate more accurate mental health assessments, identifying the likelihood and potential severity of depression depending on their reactions to gameplay.
Do More Social Good
You may find that AI is becoming a greater force for social good. Microsoft’s AI for Good initiative, for example, aims to help individuals and non-profits ramp up their progress in fields that include “accessibility, digital literacy and equity, sustainability and climate change, human rights and resilience, health disparities, food insecurity, cybersecurity, and others.” Projects include mapping all the places humans live to understand natural disaster risks or mapping the rooftops of buildings in India to predict which may collapse in different kinds of natural calamities.
According to Juan Lavista Ferres, Microsoft’s chief data scientist and the director of the AI for Good Lab: “A person would spend 400 years looking at satellite imagery and understanding if humans live there or not, but AI can do this in an hour.”
Drive New Transportation Choices
Thanks to AI, you might be able to have a more relaxed or productive morning drive. The self-driving or autonomous driving (AD) car business will likely continue to grow and become up to a $400-billion industry by 2035. While the developments in the industry have been marred by glitches (and accidents), the AI-fueled technology should continue to improve so that performance is more reliable.
According to a McKinsey report: “AD systems may make driving safer, more convenient and more enjoyable. Hours on the road previously spent driving could be used to video call a friend, watch a funny movie, or even work.”
Put More Service into Customer Service
AI will continue to improve customer service, tailoring information and services to your individual needs. There’s already a profusion of AI-powered chatbots, providing fast, automatic responses to queries while taking some of the load off human agents.
With its data-gathering capabilities, AI can help collect more pertinent data about individuals to provide more relevant product recommendations. AI can also help people find the information they want faster so that they can solve their own customer service issues.
Shorten the Learning Curve
Whether you’re a teacher or a student, there’s a lot you can learn from AI. At first, you might be worried that tools such as ChatGPT will make it easy for kids to cheat and that this technology might do away with many teaching jobs. However, this technology offers huge benefits for the learning process. The Center for American Progress points out: “Artificial intelligence can help students learn better and faster when paired with high-quality learning materials and instruction.”
AI can use enormous datasets to quickly analyze a student’s strengths and weaknesses and create personalized learning experiences. It can also help teachers with routine, time-consuming tasks such as grading assignments and making lesson plans. And chatbots can provide 24/7 support to students.
Conclusion
The rapid advancement of AI technology presents a multitude of opportunities and challenges. As it continues to integrate into various facets of daily life, from healthcare to education, and customer service to transportation, it’s essential to consider both the benefits and the ethical implications. AI has the potential to significantly enhance our quality of life, making tasks more efficient and providing new solutions to age-old problems. However, it also raises important questions about privacy, job security, and the overarching impact on society. By staying informed and engaging in thoughtful discussions about AI’s role, we can better navigate its integration and harness its capabilities for the greater good.
FAQs
1. What are some current examples of AI in healthcare? AI is being used in wearable technology like Fitbit and medical devices for patients with chronic conditions. It also assists in speeding up diagnoses and improving clinical outcomes through tools like Thymia, an AI-based video game for mental health assessments.
2. How is AI contributing to social good? AI initiatives like Microsoft’s AI for Good are supporting progress in fields such as digital literacy, sustainability, and human rights. Projects include mapping human habitats to assess disaster risks and predicting building collapses in India.
3. What are the prospects for autonomous driving technology? The autonomous driving industry is expected to grow significantly, potentially reaching a $400-billion market by 2035. AI advancements aim to make driving safer and more convenient, freeing up time for other activities during commutes.
4. How is AI enhancing customer service? AI-powered chatbots are providing quick responses to customer queries, reducing the workload on human agents. AI also helps gather and analyze data to offer personalized product recommendations and streamline customer service processes.
5. In what ways is AI transforming education? AI can analyze student performance to create personalized learning experiences. It assists teachers with routine tasks like grading and lesson planning, and provides 24/7 support to students through chatbots.
6. What ethical considerations arise with the use of AI? Key ethical considerations include data privacy, job displacement, and the broader impact of AI on society. It’s crucial to balance the benefits of AI with the need to address these ethical challenges responsibly.