Surprise! You've Been Using AI for Years & Probably Didn't Realize It: Exploring Everyday AI Applications

In 2013, Gizmodo published an article called "The Unexpected Places Where Artificial Intelligence Will Emerge." Fast-forward a few years, and Forbes ran a 2019 article that discussed real-life examples of how AI was already being used in our everyday lives. These articles highlight how AI has indeed permeated our daily lives in ways we never anticipated. Many people use AI-powered technology without even realizing it. In fact, a HubSpot survey conducted in 2021 revealed that 63% of respondents were unaware that they were using AI technologies.

Let's explore some of the most popular AI applications that you've likely been using in your everyday life:

1. Siri: Apple's personal assistant is a prime example of speech recognition software that uses machine learning technology to learn and become smarter over time.
2. Gmail: Google's email platform employs machine learning to filter out spam and protect users from malicious emails. It also features Smart Reply, which generates predictive short responses based on your previous conversations.
3. Tesla: The car manufacturer incorporates AI in its self-driving hardware and over-the-air software updates to create increasingly intelligent and efficient vehicles.
4. Amazon: The e-commerce giant's AI-driven recommendation system accounts for over a third of their sales, using sophisticated algorithms to predict your preferences and shopping behaviors.
5. Google Now: Google's personal assistant app collects data from various Google services to provide useful information tailored to your needs.
6. Netflix: The popular streaming platform uses AI algorithms to analyze your viewing history and recommend content based on your preferences.
7. Google Translate: This multilingual translation tool relies on AI to perform statistical analysis of language patterns found within millions of translated documents.
8. Facebook: The social media platform uses AI to curate your News Feed with relevant content based on your interactions and interests.
9. Google Maps: AI-powered algorithms suggest the most convenient routes and transportation methods to help you navigate with ease.
10. Spotify: The music streaming platform employs AI to create personalized playlists and suggest new artists and albums based on your listening habits.

In addition to these widely known applications, AI continues to emerge in unexpected places, such as travel apps like Hopper and Momondo. Hopper uses AI to predict the best time to book flights, hotels, and car rentals, while Momondo leverages AI to find the best deals across various travel providers.

So, the next time you use one of these applications, remember that AI is quietly working behind the scenes, enhancing your experience and simplifying your daily tasks. As AI technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovative and practical applications to emerge in the future.

Despite all of the ways that artificial intelligence technology has made our lives easier, there is definitely a dark side where it has made a negative impact on lives or has the potential to do so. I will be diving into that conversation in a separate article. Stay tuned!!