From Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to the series Black Mirror, from Netflix, artificial intelligence (AI) is very present in fiction and television drama. But do you know another place where AI is gaining more and more space? In your life.
And it's not like there's some kind of doll or robot with the ability to think next to you or the objects in your house are coming to life. Artificial intelligence goes far beyond what common sense portrays through fiction.
Artificial intelligence is in personal assistants, in data analysis, us autonomous vehicles, among other objects that are part of everyday life.
So, stay with us and learn more about what artificial intelligence is and how it is already important in various sectors of society.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science which seeks to build mechanisms, physical or digital, that simulate the human capacity to think and make decisions. Thus, for the creator of the term, John McCarthy, the definition of AI is “the science and engineering of producing intelligent systems”.
These systems basically feed on data, learn from it and adjust to each entry of new data. With artificial intelligence, computers are trained to perform specific tasks – previously done by humans – or can even try to find new solutions based on recognizing a pattern in the data.
This is a major turning point in artificial intelligence today, because progressively, in terms that you will see below, AIs have a greater capacity for “self-learning”.
For the business world, artificial intelligence can cut corners and optimize processes in a revolutionary way. AI can absorb large amounts of information and deduce results without human intervention.
When did artificial intelligence appear?
The concept of artificial intelligence emerged in the middle of the last century. In the 1950s, a group of scientists at Dartmouth College, in New Hampshire, debated the possibility of machines developing human activities.
At that time, artificial intelligence was a topic much like we described at the beginning of the text, something common sense, which was only seen in science fiction productions. Perhaps not even the scientists themselves were aware that they would be developing the first theories in an area of study with such transformative power for society as electric light.
Firstly, the term originated with the American computer scientist John McCarthy. Even though resources at the time were limited and the mechanisms were simple, the ability of machines to find solutions through autonomous deduction and learning was already proven at that time.
What is artificial intelligence for?
Artificial intelligence is specifically used to solve complex problems, automate processes, improve efficiency and innovate in various sectors, such as healthcare.
In medicine, for example, AI helps diagnose diseases, offering insights and speeding up medical decision-making. Meanwhile, in industry, AI optimizes production, reducing costs and increasing quality.
Finally, with artificial intelligence, the possibilities are immense and constantly evolving.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Artificial Intelligence
Despite the various benefits, there are also disadvantages to using artificial intelligence. Check out:
Advantages of Artificial Intelligence:
- Improved efficiency in complex tasks, saving time and resources.
- Ability to process large volumes of data quickly, resulting in valuable insights.
- Automation of repetitive tasks, freeing professionals for higher value-added activities.
- More accurate, data-based decision making, reducing human errors.
Disadvantages of Artificial Intelligence:
- Possibility of bias in algorithms, reproducing existing prejudices and discrimination in society.
- Excessive dependence on technology, which can result in vulnerabilities and security threats.
- Replacement of traditional jobs with machines, which can generate unemployment in certain sectors.
- Complexity and cost of implementation, requiring technical expertise and significant investments.
Myths and truths about Artificial Intelligence
With the advancement of AI, being increasingly present in everyday life, such as in GPT Chat, for example, several speculations on the topic arise.
Because of this, let's uncover some myths and truths about artificial intelligence. Understand:
Myths:
- It will replace humans in all jobs.
- It is dangerous and could become a threat to humanity.
- It's just science fiction and has no practical application in the real world.
Truths:
- Although AI automates some tasks, it also creates new opportunities and requires human collaboration in areas such as creativity and complex decision-making, for example.
- AI is designed to be controlled and operate within defined limits. Its responsible use is essential to avoid risks and guarantee significant benefits.
- It is already present in many aspects of our lives, from virtual assistants to advanced medical diagnostics. Its potential to transform industries and improve quality of life is real.
Discover some examples of artificial intelligence
If artificial intelligence is present in our lives, the question that remains is: where, and in what situations?
On your cell phone, there are a series of resources where artificial intelligence is present. When you get lost or are looking for the best way to get to a destination, you use the GPS, a system that crosses data in real time with the calculation of the best route to travel from one point to another.
Let's now assume that you are in another country using GPS to get to a destination, but you don't understand what the signs say in another language. Well, then you have another tool in which AI is present: Google Translate.
You may have noticed how this technology has improved over the years and this is thanks to a system called Google Neural Machine Translation (GNMT). Following a learning structure that learns from millions of linguistic examples, the quality of translations has taken a leap forward.
Finally, have you ever felt like buying an item and it was exactly that item that appeared in your ads or in your email inbox? Or even, when you felt hungry, did the dish suggestion hit the spot?
No one is reading your mind. With Artificial Intelligence, companies are able to collect and store data from their customers so that the systems can carry out complete analyzes of behavior and habits. This makes it easier marketing strategies, with a segmented and personalized approach.
How does artificial intelligence work?
Artificial intelligence works when a system, using commands and computational symbols, begins to learn and analyze large volumes of data.
As children, we hear that “books are brain food”. For an AI system, what kills this hunger for knowledge is data. If the intention is for autonomous learning to happen, the system needs to be constantly fed with new data.
In a recent study on the applicability of artificial intelligence, there is also talk about the importance of having good data. More than food, AI systems want quality nutrition.
Additionally, there are two terms you need to know if you want to better understand how artificial intelligence works.
These are essential technologies for a system’s ability to simulate human logical reasoning. Check it out below:
Machine Learning:
Term that means “machine learning”. It is the technology that gives systems the ability to learn on their own and make autonomous decisions, following data processing and identifying patterns.
Without Machine Learning, contemporary artificial intelligence; the one that comes out of fiction and is present in the lives of the population, would not be possible.
Deep Learning:
Part of machine learning, “deep learning” concerns a greater learning capacity of the system, as it uses complex neural networks. These networks follow the same logic as the human neuron-brain connection.
One of the main examples of Deep Learning is facial and voice recognition.
Google artificial intelligence
Google's AI uses algorithms to analyze all content published on the website. Thus, from this, the positions for the search results are defined.
Furthermore, this AI works to ensure that the best positioned content is of quality, eliminating anyone who tries to circumvent Google robots.
big data
Big data uses AI to cross-reference the most diverse types of information, from different sources, to feed its database. This way, you can use to register consumers, message history, interactions, traffic, among other information.
Therefore, big data can be used in social media conversations and to personalize visits to e-commerce stores, for example.
What are the main types of artificial intelligence?
One of the biggest consumer demands that artificial intelligence can meet is 24-hour digital service. To this end, companies are using chatbots, seeking to improve the user experience and reduce operational costs.
According to research by Grand View Research, from April this year, the use of chatbots is projected to grow by 24.9% between 2021 and 2028 on the planet. Automated service is an example of the use of artificial intelligence, which can be classified into two broad categories: narrow AI and general AI.
Narrow AI is found mainly in computers, with intelligent systems that have learned to perform tasks without necessarily being programmed for that purpose. It is artificial intelligence that is present in virtual assistants and product recommendations based on consumer preference.
General AI is closer to the human ability to adapt knowledge. It is more flexible and, unlike narrow AI, can learn to perform different tasks, from creating a spreadsheet to processing large amounts of data based on accumulated experience.
Learn about some risks of artificial intelligence
Despite a series of benefits, artificial intelligence also has some risks if it is not regulated correctly
- Privacy at risk: With the advancement of AI, concerns arise about the privacy of personal data collected and used by systems, requiring measures to protect confidentiality.
- Bias and discrimination: AI algorithms can reflect prejudices and discrimination present in the data used, perpetuating inequalities and social injustices.
- Excessive dependence: Blind trust in AI can lead to excessive dependence and loss of human skills, compromising autonomy and critical capacity.
- Responsibility and ethics: AI's autonomous decision-making raises ethical and liability issues, especially in critical situations that require human judgment.
How iFood uses artificial intelligence to reduce environmental impacts
One of the largest foodtechs in the world, iFood bets on the use of new technologies to make the food industry more hassle-free. Furthermore, it combines business interests with concern for sustainability, also applying artificial intelligence in mechanisms to reduce environmental impact.
Since August this year, the ADA, iFood robot, is operating at Shopping Iguatemi Ribeirão Preto, in São Paulo.
Upon receiving the call from the application, the robot takes the route entirely autonomously to the restaurant, collects the order and heads to a courier who will take it to the final point: the iFood hub – a strategically located destination for distributing the order.
Another iFood initiative with artificial intelligence – which reduces environmental impacts by eliminating the use of vehicles powered by fossil fuels – is the use of drones. In the first half of the year, the foodtech carried out a testing phase in Campinas with more than 300 deliveries and the participation of 20 restaurants.
Both initiatives are undergoing testing with specialized teams, but they are an indication of what iFood can see in relation to AI. In the not too distant future, it may be that a completely autonomous system will bring you the dish you like the most!
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