Science has been constantly surprising us with the new advancements it introduces the world to. The pace of progress is getting faster day by day. And, while there is a lot of technological evolution that intrigues us, artificial intelligence remains on top. 

Commonly abbreviated to AI, it is a field of science, where computers function in ways similar to intelligent beings. This is the basic definition of what artificial intelligence is, but there are different dimensions on this unsurpassed evolution of technology. 

Artificial Intelligence - Machine Learning - Robot

We can define this field of study in more than a few ways, but what matters the most is the whimsical effect of AI. Computers turn into more than just bright screens with several features. They are also machines that can mimic the intellectual abilities of humans by reasoning, understanding, and solving problems.

The development of AI has been causing a lot of contraversy. It is taking us into a different realm that technology has never witnessed before. There are more than a few types and examples of artificial intelligence that will definitely pique your interest. This article will walk you through a thorough explanation of the different aspects of artificial intelligence. 

Definition of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is a broad field of science that can hardly have one blunt definitely but rather several ones. In simple words, artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science that gives machines the ability to think and reason like intellectual beings. Extremely advanced features are made to allow lifeless machines to perform some cognitive behaviours. 

Artificially intelligent computers are ones that can perform complex tasks, including communicating with real human beings, making decisions, solving problems, and even more. The purpose of this advanced feature is to ease life and work on bettering it. It can also assist people in mundane tasks, allowing them to be more productive throughout their days without engaging in draining activities.

Levels of AI

Artificial Intelligence may sound supreme, but it is also important to note that there are things that it cannot do. This brings us to the different levels of AI that starts with Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), then Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and ends at Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI).

The first stage, Artificial Narrow Intelligence, which is commonly known as ANI, is the most basic one. It even resemblance the brain functionality of an infant. With the rapid evolution that is taking place, the second stage, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) was brought into being. This one is more advanced, where machines have the human abilities of reasoning, problem solving, and decision making.

The final stage is the Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) and, as the name suggests, it surpasses the abilities of human being. This stage is when machines become more powerful that they are capable of dominating and controlling the human race. It is safe to say that we are still at the second stage, AGI, but we are at its final parts of its completion. 

Different Types of Artificial Intelligence

The levels of artificial intelligence indicate the point of evolution that our world is standing at; however, it is quite distinct from the types of AI. Types demonstrate the different abilities that AI can perform. There are five main types, which are all cognition-based but each of them performs different tasks.

Machine Learning

Once artificial intelligence is embedded into the machine, it gets the ability to learn; it is one of the successful ways to achieve AI. Machine Learning is an AI application that turns machine into qualified systems that can learn and develop. The learning process can happen in four different ways, Supervised Learning, Unsupervised Learning, Reinforced Learning, and Semi-supervised Learning. 

Each of those is a subcategory in the Machine Learning type known as Deep Learning. Supervised learning allows the machine to make use of past experiences and apply them onto new ones by finding repetitive patterns. One the other hand, unsupervised learning depend on the machines’ supreme powers over humans abilities. In other words, it is the ability for a machine to detect and find new patterns that humans are incapable of.

Reinforcement learning is the type of machine learning, where machines are capable of performing without the need of human intervention. This type depends on a dynamic programming by learning algorithms. The fourth and last type is the semi-supervised learning which combines the feature of supervised learning and unsupervised learning.

Artificial Intelligence

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Getting a machine to learn the way of how human beings speak and write is an unsurpassed development in the technology world. Natural Language Processing (NLP) is one of the computer science branches that help in making artificial intelligence happen. 

While the application of this feature is quite challenging, it was not at all possible. We can see this type implied in how Google Search can predict your full sentences. Another example is the voice-controlled assistants found in all of the latest operating systems, like Siri or Alexa.

The only drawback to this type is that machines are limited to understanding the literal meaning of words rather than the context. This brings us to the sub-branch of NLP known as Natural Language Understanding (NLU). 

The main purpose of NLU is to allow machines to understand the tones of voice and the possible meanings. This assists in making a machine capable of conversing with a human being in a more natural way, achieving a successful milestone in the application of artificial intelligence.

Computer Vision

Computer Vision is another type of artificial intelligence that evolves machine into a more mature agents. It resembles the function of human vision, corresponding to the humans’ ability to observe, identify, and learn. 

This aspect trains the machine to use its camera, saved data, and algorithms to determine and analyze different objects. They can also detect any defect issues, working in a speed that is superior to the abilities of human beings.

Computer vision cannot be applied with the essential sub-type known as deep learning that branches from the machine learning type. Moreover, it needs what is known as a convolutional neural network (CNN) to make the artificial intelligence happen in the most successful ways possible.

The CNN gives the machine that ability to observe the surrounding environment and break the images down into pixels. These pixels help the machine identify the images it sees by looking at the given tags and labels. A check test is run to determine the accuracy of how the machine recognize the surrounding objects.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a software technology that ensures the application of artificial intelligence on robots. It imitate the human behavior in how they correspond to digital systems and software. The purpose of RPA is to handle the monotonous tasks that humans repetitively do, making digital workers responsible for lifting the burden of these duties off humans.

Humans definitely benefit from this type of artificial intelligence in so many ways. RPA ensures consistency and accuracy, reducing the risk of errors and typos done by manual application of humans. It also follows rules of regulatory compliance and delivers an audit trail history.

Another benefit that the world can reap out of RPA is lifting the dull responsibilities, leaving more room for productivity and engagement in compelling tasks. Besides reducing the chances of error, RPA enables bots to work for endless hours without intervention, checking off more tasks in much less time.

Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR)

Automatic Speech Recognition is the artificial intelligence type that allows the occurrence of a conversation between a computer interface and humans. This feature is mostly beneficial for search ability, combining other two types of artificial intelligence, which are Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning. 

In other words, ASR gives human the capability to voice out their needs while a computer channel them into readable texts. It has several usages that ease the daily tasks of human workers. Dictating, for example, is one of the technology used, transcribing important meetings into written documents to save time.

ASR also works the other way around, where it translates written text into a voiced out speech. This feature is quite helpful for people with disabilities, in particular, and everyone, in general. One of the downsides of this feature is that it can misinterpret your speech if you don’t speak in a clear way or with an accent.

Examples of AI

With the unbelievable evolution in technology we witness today, several examples of artificial intelligence surround us. They are there to make our lives easier, better, and faster. Yet, we have become so accustomed to them, forgetting that this is exactly what artificial intelligent is about. Here are some of the examples of our everyday lives:

Autonomous Cars (Self-Driving Cars)

This one may not be that abundant around us but driveless cars exist. They are the latest technology advancements in the automotive industry. Also known as an autonomous car, it is a vehicle that doesn’t require a human operator to move. It works with a combination of cameras, radars, and sensors, resembling the needed human sensors to travel between destinations.

Recommendation Engine

The recommendation engine is a branch in the machine learning type, using reason and logic to predict the needs of a user. It either offers options it thinks match the first letters you have entered or suggests relevant options to your search.

Intelligent Virtual Assistant (IVA)

 An Intelligent virtual assistant (IVA) or intelligent personal assistant (IPA) is a software based on artificial intelligence, performing daily and repetitive tasks. This program use natural language processing (NLP) along with machine learning to process conversations and act accordingly. Apple’s Siri and Google’s Alexa are some of the most popular virtual assistants. They are sometimes referred to as voice-controlled assistants.

Chatbots

Chatbots represent automated messages that apply different elements of artificial intelligence, imitating a natural live conversation that takes place between humans. This example has greatly assisted organizations in improving the customer experience. It can also handle different tasks performed by regular agents, including fast replies or even financial services.

Maps and Navigation Systems

Being in a new neighborhood or even a whole different country has been made easy with artificial intelligence, thanks to the invention of maps and navigation systems. These systems provide a detailed map of your physical location, submit routes to your required destination, announce congested roads, and suggest alternative routes.

Facial Recognition

Another brand new technology that is found in every newly released smartphone is facial recognition. This is a pure example of artificial intelligence where machines can identify one’s facial features, store them, and recognize them by just looking at the device. Facial recognition has created a new security system to protect individuals’ IDs and private information.

Fall Detection/Car Crash Detection

You may not know this, but this technique has saved so many lives around the world. Fall detection is a technique that uses sensors to discern changes in one’s motion and position. Once a fall event occurs, the device automatically sends an alerting message to your emergency contacts along with your location. Some devices also dial emergency services to speed up the medical aid process.

Autocorrect/Text Editors

Automatic text editors, also known as autocorrect, is another technique based on artificial intelligence installed on keyboards. Based on the languages installed on your device, an autocorrect system is used to alert you when a typo takes place. It also automatically changes the word into the closest match of a proper word. Predictive text is another form of text editor, anticipating your words and phrases. This method is time-saving and helps you produce polished documents that barely need editing or proofreading.

Online Payment 

Artificial intelligent is applied to our daily payment processing, digitizing the process and changing it into faster and convenient online payment. AI-enhanced payment has made daily transactions much easier and banished the need to carry actual cash everywhere you go.

The Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence Application

Artificial Intelligence reveals an amazing evolution of the digital world. It has made our lives much easier, faster, and more interesting. There are many advantages that help humans in the daily life, introducing brand new features. 

However, several disadvantages are introduced as well, some that cannot go away with more advancements. And, while artificial intelligence will amplify human intelligence, it will also affect different aspects.

So, here are some of the cons and pros of applying artificial intelligence to daily technological uses to learn about:

Reduces Errors (Advantage)

Machines are programmed to make decisions based on the records of data that was previously stored. This feature has left little to no room for errors to occur unlike humans who are more likely to make more errors. Slimming the chances of the occurrence of errors is one of the great benefits that artificial intelligence has provided to the human kind. 

Affects Physical Activity (Disadvantage)

Artificial intelligence has already contributed to reducing the physical activity of human beings. Everything has become easily doable by the touch of a little button on the bright screens. With the everlasting evolution that occurs in short periods of time, activity levels will keep dropping down even more until getting out of your couch will be unnecessary. This will definitely contribute to the spread of many diseases, including obesity, heart problems, and muscle atrophy.

Digital Assistants (Advantage)

Artificial Intelligence has made machines helpful agents that can assist in day to day chores. They are now capable of carrying out the repetitive tasks that human beings dread. Thanks to Siri and Alexa, our daily lives have become so much easier.

High Costs (Disadvantage)

No matter how advanced technology is getting, there will always be more room for more advancements. Such development and building of different aspects of artificial intelligence will keep costing hefty prices and will demand more resources.

Better Decision-Making (Advantage)

Artificial intelligence has assisted in working on programs that allow machines to make rational decisions. This has saved a great deal of time for humans. Besides, machines are not affected by emotions, either positive or negative, which may impact productivity. Whether it is the same old task or a brand new one, things will get done effectively and with great productivity. Besides, machines are programmed to think and make decisions faster than humans.

Always Available (Advantage)

The best part is that machines are always available. They don’t need to take breaks nor they get tired or bored. This is quite helpful, for several tasks that can be carried out in shorter amounts of time. Unlike human beings, machine can never be distracted and they can go for long hours working without any external factors.

Impacts Creativity (Disadvantage)

One of the downsides of the artificial intelligence application is that there is no room for creativity. Machines don’t have the ability to be creative; they can only perform the tasks they are commanded to do. In fact, machines cannot pitch new ideas because, in the end, they don’t have the same power that human brain has.