Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence processes by computer systems that are programmed to think and act like humans. The ideal characteristic of AI is its ability to rationalise and take actions that have the best chance of achieving a specific goal. AI is developed through machine learning, where the computer program can learn from and adapt to new data without human assistance.

Applications of AI


Self-Driving Cars

Self-driving cars use artificial intelligence to make quick decisions based on the data they are receiving, the AI needs to make a split second decision when faced with a situation that could cause a crash. For example, if someone crosses the road in front of the car, the AI needs to see this, and determine the best course of action to be safe for everyone involved.
Self-driving cars will help to significantly lower traffic accidents, as there will be far less opportunity for human error, which is the cause of more than 90% of all accidents.


Virtual Assistants

Virtual assistants are AI based software agents that can perform tasks or services for a user based on commands from the user. These can be inputted by text, speech, or graphical interface. Examples include: Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant , and ChatGPT.
Virtual assistants can be used to help people with disabilities, such as blindness, whereby they can speak to their phone and the virtual assistant will reply to them without them having to look at their phone. Another benefit to virtual assistants is that they improve accessibility to education, as chatbots like ChatGPT can help to summarize topics or concepts from a course and improve the user's understanding. This can be especially beneficial to non-English speakers, as it can be used in their language so they don't have to struggle with learning a difficult concept in a language that they don't understand.


Spam Filters

AI algorithms are used for spam filtering, as the system continuously improves through machine learning, where it receives vast data sets daily to learn the new ways that spammers try to trick and get past the system. These AI systems can also subvert human incompetence, as spammers often attempt to trick filters with misspelt words, special characters, and hidden text, relying on human ignorance to overlook these anomalies, however the AI system learns to catch these anomalies and not allow them to get through the filter.


Facial Recognition

Facial recognition systems are forms of AI that use algorithms to determine if a human face is present in a visual image, and identify them. Once a face is detected, it is extracted from the digital image, then a 'faceprint' is created to identify the individual through marking a vast array of facial features
Facial recognition can be used to secure devices, such as your phone, so that only you can gain access, as the password to unlock it is your face. It can also be used in law enforcement to catch culprits, as if they have a picture of their face they can run it through their database and find out who that person is.


About the Author

This page was written by Rebecca. You can find her on GitHub here