Artificial Intelligence (AI) might sound like a concept straight out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s something most of us encounter daily – whether we realise it or not. From recommending your next binge-worthy Netflix series to voice assistants like Siri or Alexa, AI is seamlessly woven into our lives.
But what exactly is AI, and how does it work? Let’s break it down.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial Intelligence is about teaching machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks include problem-solving, recognising patterns, learning from experience, and making decisions. Essentially, AI enables computers to mimic human thinking but often on a larger and faster scale.
Everyday examples of AI
AI is closer to home than you think, and it’s not just what felt like the ‘overnight success’ of ChatGPT.
Here are some everyday examples you’ve probably interacted with over the past few years.
- Voice assistants: Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant use AI to understand your voice commands, answer questions, and even control smart home devices.
- Recommendations: Platforms like Netflix and Spotify use AI to suggest movies or playlists based on what you’ve watched or listened to before.
- Navigation apps: Google Maps and Waze use AI to analyse traffic patterns and give you the fastest route.
- Spam filters: Your email provider uses AI to automatically sort unwanted emails into the spam folder.
How does AI work?
AI systems learn through data. They analyse vast amounts of information, identify patterns, and use algorithms to make decisions or predictions.
Two common ways AI “learns” include:
- Machine Learning: Machines are trained on data to improve over time. For example, a spam filter becomes better at spotting unwanted emails by learning from emails users mark as spam.
- Deep Learning: A subset of machine learning, deep learning involves neural networks (a bit like a simplified version of the human brain) that can process even more complex patterns, like recognising faces or understanding speech.
Why should you care about AI?
AI isn’t just about convenience; it’s a powerful tool driving innovation across industries. For businesses, AI can enhance operations, improve customer service, and even predict market trends. For individuals, it means smarter technology that makes life easier and more efficient.
Check out this video to see how AI is shaking things up at a national HVAC company.
What’s next in AI?
AI continues to evolve rapidly. Emerging technologies like AI agents (programs designed to carry out tasks autonomously) are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible – but more on that later!
The true winners won’t necessarily be those with the most computing power or the largest AI models, but those who can best adapt and evolve alongside it.
Stay tuned for our next AI unpacked blog, where we’ll bust the top 3 myths about AI.
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