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Artificial intelligence.. Where to?

Major fields of artificial intelligence with practical examples

September 11, 2024 / 3:02 PM
Major fields of artificial intelligence with practical examples
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According to the Oxford Dictionary, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation.

In light of the technological advancements of today’s era, AI has gained a prominent position. According to projections by the German market data company, Statista, global revenues from the AI software market will reach approximately $126 billion by 2025.

Additionally, a survey conducted by the professional services firm Ernst and Young (EY) in 2023, involving 254 technology leaders, revealed a growing demand for AI. The survey found that 90% of the participants utilise AI platforms like ChatGPT and Bing Chat, with 80% planning to invest in such platforms in the coming year.

Artificial intelligence in everyday life

AI has started permeating various fields and sectors, and upon closer inspection, its presence can be realised in various forms and applications throughout our environment, for instance:

Social media platforms

Ever marvelled at how social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram seem to predict personal interests? They seamlessly serve up content customised to an individual’s preferences and discussions, presenting precisely what one wants to see without even the need to request it.

This phenomenon is powered by AI and its algorithms, which meticulously analyse user behaviours, interests, and even voices to deliver tailored and personalised results.

Facial recognition

Since protecting the privacy of electronic devices remains a top priority, AI has granted a convenient and intelligent solution in smartphones and computers: the Face Print feature. This feature allows the unlocking of a device simply by placing it in front of one’s face. It employs specialised technology and tools to store facial coordinates, enabling seamless recognition with each unlocking attempt.

Digital assistants

With the fast-paced nature and numerous commitments of modern life, it is easy to feel disorganised and distracted. That is where the need for someone—or something—to organize daily schedules and appointments becomes crucial. Smartphones employ AI-driven techniques to fulfil this need seamlessly, responding instantly to voice commands.

For instance, if an iPhone user prompts to call a specific contact, Siri accesses the contacts, analyses the data, and initiates the call without delay.

Similarly, users can delegate tasks like scheduling appointments by voicing commands like “Add a meeting on Wednesday at 9 AM.” Siri promptly records this information in the calendar, ensuring users are reminded as the appointed time draws near.

Artificial intelligence in education

Artificial intelligence has made significant inroads into the educational sector, being integrated into a multitude of distinct technologies, including:

Private tutoring

Recently, there has been a growing interest in private lessons to enhance students’ educational attainment across various levels. Addressing this demand, AI has emerged as a pivotal tool in providing necessary assistance, leading to the establishment of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) by smart tutoring organisations. These systems offer personalised private lessons tailored to different grades and subjects.

One notable example is the Carnegie Learning program, which aids students in mathematics, science, foreign languages, and other subjects by providing customised exercises suited to their individual levels, alongside a range of other educational services.

Another illustration is the Khanmigo technology, powered by GPT-4, integrated into the Khan Academy educational website. This innovative technology aids students in their academic pursuits, receives feedback, and facilitates interactive learning experiences.

Furthermore, the use of smart technology extends to delivering educational content through creative videos and voice summaries, and even conducting assessments to get the full learning experience.

As part of the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to progress and advancement in various sectors, the concept of the Digital School emerged as a groundbreaking initiative. Regarded as the first fully equipped digital school, it integrates digital and hybrid learning methods seamlessly.

This innovative approach provides flexibility and intelligence in educational delivery, a comprehensive range of academic subjects that adhere to both national and international curricula, and diverse educational methodologies to equip students with lifelong self-learning skills, all made possible through the expertise of trained and qualified digital educators.

Assisting teachers in their duties

The teaching profession encompasses many responsibilities beyond delivering lessons, including homework assignments, grading, tracking marks, assessing performance, and identifying areas for improvement. Advanced AI technologies have enabled the automation of these tasks, reducing the time spent on routine duties.

For instance, the Gradescope program enables teachers to upload and grade homework assignments online. Utilising AI automates the grading process and provides valuable insights into students’ performance based on their grades and responses. This integration of AI technology significantly enhances the overall quality of education by allowing educators to focus more on personalised instruction and student assistance.

Inclusive education

Addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities, AI specialists have developed specialized assistance programs, intelligent tools, and assistive devices to facilitate their integration into the educational environment and enable their participation in various activities, regardless of auditory, visual, or cognitive challenges.

For instance, the Nuance program aids students facing difficulties in writing by converting their verbal speech into text on the device. It also assists those with visual impairments by enabling voice commands for task execution, among other features.

Detecting academic plagiarism

With its diverse technologies, AI has become a vital ally to academic and educational institutions in safeguarding against academic misconduct and protecting proprietary information.

Among the examples that can be used is Turnitin, a tool that aids students and researchers in ensuring the authenticity of their work. It employs advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology to analyze text and compare it against a vast database of published articles and research papers, thereby detecting any instances of plagiarism.

In addition to the aforementioned technologies used in education, AI applications also play a significant role in the post-graduation employment process. For instance, "Estiqtab," an AI-powered system associated with the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources in the UAE, leverages AI to sort through job applicants’ profiles stored in the database and identify the most qualified candidates for available positions. This system not only saves time and effort but also ensures a thorough assessment of competencies, leading to the selection of top candidates.

Artificial intelligence in health

Just like in other sectors, specialists have integrated AI into the healthcare industry, collaborating with professionals in the field to achieve the following:

Disease detection and diagnosis

Advanced AI technologies and devices assist doctors in gathering information on various diseases and health conditions, including their symptoms, to aid in detection and diagnosis.

Companies like Merative Medical Technology enable healthcare institutions to access medical data from medical records and health journals worldwide to study medical conditions in detail.

AI has revolutionised medical imaging, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. For instance, DeepMind Health, a scientific research platform launched by Google, aids doctors in early disease detection, enabling prompt treatment before the patient’s conditions deteriorate. It also offers technologies capable of analysing retinal scans to identify potential illnesses.

Examples include Emirates Health Services (EHS), which uses AI algorithms in mammography devices to assist in the early detection of breast cancer, facilitating early intervention and improving patients chances of recovery.

Managing medical data

AI-powered chatbots and digital assistants, such as Babylon Health, have alleviated the burden on doctors by simplifying the process of scheduling appointments, storing patient medical information, and facilitating easy data retrieval. Additionally, AI programs have been developed to handle emergency calls, detecting conditions like heart failure faster than human responders.

In the UAE, the EHS has integrated AI technology into its advanced infrastructure and services to enhance patient care and safety and improve surgical efficiency. One of the many projects launched in this field is voice recognition technology, which enables doctors to input health data using voice commands. This saves time and allows healthcare professionals to remain focused on delivering optimal patient care.

Monitoring vital signs

Monitoring vital signs has become more convenient and efficient with the help of AI-powered devices. These devices can detect and alert users to any abnormalities in vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sleep patterns. Wearable gadgets like smartwatches and bracelets, such as Fitbit and Apple Watch, are examples of devices that utilise AI to monitor these vital signs and provide timely alerts if any medical intervention is needed.

The EHS has embraced AI technology in medical devices like insulin pumps, such as the “MinimedTM 780G system”. These devices mimic the function of the pancreas by regulating the balance between insulin and glucose levels in the body. AI algorithms play a crucial role in preventing blood sugar levels from dropping too low, thereby improving the well-being and safety of patients.

Additionally, AI has been integrated into the EHS’s heart rate monitoring devices. These devices can issue voice alerts in critical situations, enabling faster interventions when a patient’s health is at risk.

Artificial intelligence in agriculture

Although it may appear unusual, AI has become integrated into agricultural practices, presenting itself through various technologies such as autonomous tractors, robotic crop inspections, utilising soil analysis smart devices for detecting defects and nutrient deficiencies, monitoring crop health and harvest times, weather tracking, and timely alerts for farmers.

For instance, the Spray & See farming device employs advanced computational vision technology to identify harmful weeds and apply targeted spraying in certain types of farms and crops. This device utilises algorithms to analyse images captured by drones.

In the UAE, a notable example is a specialised agricultural device developed by Ibrahim Al Obaidly, the founder of the Innovation Floor for Informational Solutions. This device determines appropriate crops for cultivation, calculates optimal watering schedules and amounts, and monitors weather conditions and soil moisture levels. It enables farmers to view their crops remotely via an installed camera and provides detailed harvesting information through alert messages.

Artificial intelligence in navigation and transportation

Simplifying and improving daily life is a core objective of AI, notably in navigation and transportation. Logistics and shipping industries have embraced technologies like GPS location systems to streamline vehicle routes, deploy monitoring systems, and enable effective traffic management and accident response.

Research conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has underscored the effectiveness of GPS systems in providing users with timely and detailed information, including optimal routes and real-time traffic updates. This highlights the significant role of AI in navigation.

One such example is the City Brain platform in China, which focuses on AI-supported traffic management. By aggregating data from diverse sources, such as surveillance cameras, GPS devices, and public transportation systems, it optimises traffic-light timing and improves the overall traffic efficiency in urban areas.

Artificial intelligence in banking services

Thanks to the integration of AI into banking services, the extensive and tiring queues at banks for completing various banking transactions are on the brink of disappearing. Many banking processes can now be seamlessly completed without the need for physical presence, thanks to AI-powered bots that operate round the clock, seven days a week.

For instance, Bank of America has introduced the chatbot Erica, which adeptly handles tasks such as accurately updating data and securing customers’ credit cards, among other transactions. According to reports from Bank of America, Erica has assisted approximately 32 million clients in managing their financial affairs.

These examples merely scratch the surface of AI’s applications across various fields.

References

[1] ehs.gov.ae, Artificial Intelligence
[2] simplilearn.com,18 Cutting-Edge Artificial Intelligence Applications in 2024
[3] techtarget.com,15 top applications of artificial intelligence in business
[4] europarl.europa.eu,What is artificial intelligence and how is it used?

September 11, 2024 / 3:02 PM

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