My observations about Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The digital world is constantly changing. I have seen it evolve very quickly in the last couple of years. The other day I was talking to a senior executive from the industry and the discussion was all around Artificial Intelligence or AI. As the discussion moved forward I realized there was a pattern in what I was hearing from him and the general buzz around AI. So I started penning down some of my observations.
Observation 1- Analytics is passé, it’s all AI now
Analytics used to be a buzz word, Manna from heaven, elixir to all organizations. But today it is forgotten. No one talks about Analytics anymore. It’s all AI now. In other words AI is the new Analytics. In case someone really wants to differentiate then they throw in Machine Learning. So it’s all AI/ Machine Learning, the new solution to most problems.
Observation 2- A lot is being written about AI
This is a natural evolution from the first observation. A lot is being written around AI. A simple google search on AI would lead to more than 2 billion results in less than a second. This gives you an idea on the amount of content on AI.
Observation 3- Two sides to the coin on AI
Most articles on AI are on job losses and how we would be replaced by machines in the near future. This is more like a “Terminator” type scenario that invoke images of fear and insecurity. But I also see many articles on how it would contribute to productivity, operational efficiency and create even new jobs. So there is optimism and pessimism which are two sides of the same AI coin.
Observation 4 AI is Omni-present
AI discussions are truly Omni-Present. During the summers, my wife and I were looking at summer camp options for my 7 year old. I was surprised to see quite a few ‘Artificial Intelligence’ courses. Well, when these kids grow up, they will understand AI and the uses cases of AI better than any generation before them. The current favorite use case for my son is a self-driving car-so that he can play games on the ipad while getting from one place to another!!!
Observation 5 -Not everyone is worried
Well just like observation 3, there are some who are very optimistic about AI, and then there are others that are least bothered. I recently got some plumbing work done at my house. The plumber a cheerful guy with an iPhone was least bothered about AI. When I asked him about machines replacing him to do plumbing jobs, he relied cheerfully that machines were good only for telling directions (I assume he was talking about SIRI or Google Maps) but they can never do his job.
Observation 6- AI = Robot
This is a direct inference from observation 5. Most folks think AI is a robot or a physical machine. They do not realize that AI is a powerful cognitive software platform. And the software is learning constantly for better decision making.
Observation 7 – Natural intelligence?
I just hope that in this excitement around AI, the society at large does not lose focus on the important of honing an individual’s natural skills. Including inter-personal skills.
In the end , AI is another wave as the world transforms continuously in the Digital era. I am sure these discussions won’t go away any time soon. Love it or leave it -AI is here to stay and become an integral part of your lives. And I would say- bring it on…As always look forward to your views/comments.
Was trying genetic algorithms, neural networks in late 00s. Too slow and no capacity. Soon switches will be able to pump information at the speed of human brain. Still missing something to be quantum... #humansarequantum. #machinesarebinary
General Manager I/C (SMS) at MECON Limited, India
7 年we should use our imagination and innovation in blurring out the human@AI interface...both in workplace and in our homes. this won't complicate the mind fearing issues which we have with AI. in that effect our life would get much simpler..with friendly AI...co-creating wonderful and even memorable experiences! adoption and adaptation would be more easy and meaningful.
AI is about replicating human behaviors and intelligence. How we change from querying to interactions and how our answers get more intelligent from basic fact gathering to more analysis and churning a answer immediately. Lot of machine learning , parallel processing compute at the power of cloud is key to make this happen. Finding resonating use cases to deliver benefit levers per industry is key.
Business Leader, driving digital transformation for clients
7 年Good insights. We need to see more use cases of AI in action (apart from the self-driving cars, Siri etc.), then there will be huge adaption in the consumer space. This is true for any new trend that's on the rise.