From Clippy to Cortana: The Human Face of AI

As artificial intelligence continues to change the way we work and do business, it can be tempting to relegate its role in humanity to industry and commerce. But with every passing year, it’s becoming more and more clear that the technology has far wider-reaching implications than that. We have birthed, after all, an intelligence that has proven its ability to surpass our own, and though it may still be in its infancy, it’s our responsibility to ensure it grows to reach its full potential to improve lives across the globe.

The really exciting stuff happening in AI lies not in impressive robotic achievements like the famous Sophia, but in its ability to connect us with them – human-to-machine, and with each other, human-to-human.

The great convergence

Automated and cognitive systems are nothing new, but machine learning technology is adding applications and astoundingly rich dimensions to the mix – and the market is booming as a result. Our gradual mastery of the sheer intricacy involved in enabling a machine to process natural language and recognise human speech has turned Microsoft’s famous 90s office assistant, Clippy, into the likes of Cortana, Siri, and Alexa, and recent accelerations in technology have shown recent AIs to be on par with humans in reading comprehension tests. As responsive language abilities blend with advances in facial and image recognition innovations like Microsoft’s recent offerings, it’s becoming clear that what was once a gimmick is quickly being recognised as a game-changer.

And, of course, there’s the ultimate goal, the seamless link of mind and machine through sci-fi-esque interfaces like Elon Musk’s Neuralink, or the typing technology being proposed by Facebook that would make Stephen Hawking’s talking computer look like child’s play in comparison. The proposed use cases are mostly medical at this point – but the “simple” act of controlling a prosthetic hand with one’s mind has already opened the door to one day achieving a seamless and fully sensory blend of man and machine.

Brain-controlled Robots

What all of this means is that we’ll eventually be able to have full conversations with robots. But think beyond the possibility of robot romance and the real potential for AI becomes clear – how it can even the playing field in terms of access to services and opportunities.

African AI in action

Digital platforms are built on artificial intelligence. Known as human-machine interfaces (HMIs), these platforms allow us to give machines instructions – or communicate with each other. Already, in its most potent forms, this technology can connect a cancer patient in one country with a leading oncologist in another, or connect a learner in one of Africa’s poorest communities with a Harvard professor. But the closing gap between man and machine means that these interfaces are about to become more functionally seamless than many could have anticipated.

Real-time language and dialect translation, eye-movement tracking, facial recognition, personalised data reporting, and analytics – all of these, and more can enrich the experience beyond a simple screen, into a rich service-delivery model that can alter the lives of Africa’s underserved and under-resourced populations.

The smarter and more powerful AI becomes, the more access people get to often life-changing services and opportunities. Already, smartphones have helped millions get access to education, jobs, and financial stability that they never had 20 years ago. Across Africa, mobile technologies have brought improved healthcare to remote and underserviced areas.

If sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, then machine learning might be the wand we need to solve some of life’s most pressing problems. It’s time to think beyond robots and cyborgs, and start thinking purpose-driven AI.

What role do you foresee AI-fueled communication tech playing in your industry? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

About Lee Naik

Lee Naik was named one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Technology and is recognized as one of SA’s leading digital and technology transformation experts. Lee is presently the CEO of TransUnion Africa where he leads a portfolio of businesses that help businesses make more informed decisions and consumers manage their personal information to lead to a higher quality of life.

Check out his Linked blogs and follow him on @naikl for his latest commentary.

Adapted from my column published on ITWeb.