What Does AI Look Like?

Written by Adam Morris

Updated August 3, 2023
AI woman in front of interface

AI has been implemented in various areas of everyday life, from autonomous vehicles to voice recognition technology. However, the abundance of technical jargon associated with AI can make its use and understanding challenging.

Gaining an understanding of Artificial Intelligence is key to navigating the digital landscape. In this article, we’ll outline some perspectives on AI, what it looks like, and how the automation of specific tasks through AI has impacted our daily life.

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

AI is a computer science field focused on replicating human thinking and action. Advances in machine learning and deep learning have contributed to an AI paradigm shift seen across the tech industry. AI permits machines to imitate or even supersede human capability. Self-driving cars and virtual assistants are two of many examples that demonstrate how AI is now often found in everyday life.

What are the different types of AI?

Below, we’ll talk about the potential use cases of AI and its impacts on the field.

Narrow AI

Person using phone with AI bot

Narrow AI is an artificial intelligence that is specifically tailored to a particular task. Natural language processing (NLP) is one such example, which can be leveraged for understanding spoken or written language and interacts with humans, or generates output from it. Compared to traditional methods, this type of AI system is able to improve performance and deliver faster results.

General AI

AI Research is focused on creating a machine comparable to human intelligence, which can be applied to various tasks. The goal of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is distinct from that of Weak AI, which only has restricted capabilities. While we are still far from true AGI, breakthroughs have been made.

Vector illustration of person using an AI bot to make conversation

One example of such AI technology is GPT-3 (Generative Pre-trained Transformer), an autoregressive language model designed by OpenAI that utilizes deep learning to generate text with a human-like quality. It has been employed in amazing feats such as a chatbot that can converse with historic figures and a question-based search engine. Though they aren’t considered intelligent at present, these accomplishments are impressive engineering works that indicate AGI may be achievable in the future.

Machine Learning

Machine Learning is a significant advancement in Artificial Intelligence that suggests a computer program can learn to carry out tasks without requiring explicit instruction. This concept was introduced by Arthur Samuel in 1959. The successful implementation of Machine Learning requires access to accurate and big data sets, which are essential for tasks such as image and speech recognition.

There has been a resurgence in machine learning due to recent progress in technology and computing. Machines can now process larger datasets quickly and accurately, resulting in improved accuracy from machine learning algorithms.

Innovations in deep learning algorithms enable machines to conduct complicated tasks, like problem-solving, with higher precision. As machine learning advances, the utilization of AI is expected to become increasingly impressive.

Two Forms of Machine Learning

Supervised learning is the most prevalent, where the training data used are annotated to identify features of interest. For instance, photos can be labeled if they include a dog or written sentences if the term ‘bass’ refers to music or fish. Once trained, the system can appropriately add labels to new data, such as distinguishing a dog in a newly captured image.

Hand hovering over number in hologram on top of phone on table

Unsupervised machine learning is a form of artificial intelligence where processes are automated to detect patterns and group data. This technology can be applied for tasks such as content summarization, item identification, information retrieval, and video analysis.

Linear Regression

Linear regression is a supervised learning model employed by data scientists in the field of statistics. It identifies the relationship between input and output (dependent and independent) variables, allowing it to predict values accordingly. This model finds many uses in industries like healthcare, insurance, eCommerce, social media marketing, and banking for linear discriminant analysis.

Linear regression models are straightforward and efficient, providing accurate predictions with adequate data. They can identify correlations between variables and scale to large datasets. These features make linear regression models a vital resource for data scientists in different industries.

Logistic Regression

Logistic regression is an AI model that best suits classification tasks, such as predicting email spam or the likelihood of a customer’s product purchases. It is related to linear regression, but can specifically be used for binary classification.

Woman looking at product in her hand

Logistic regression models can classify data points into discrete classes. Weights are assigned to input data and probabilities are computed for each of the classes. When the computed probability for a certain result is higher than the predetermined threshold, it will be labeled accordingly. 

Decision Trees

Decision trees are a popular AI model that can be applied to regression and classification problems. This model is efficient, using data from prior decisions to reach an outcome. Decision trees typically use an if/they pattern; for example, “if you have a sandwich at home, you won’t need to purchase lunch.” Predictive analytics was initially driven by simple decision trees.

Decision trees are efficient tools to optimize decision making by examining multiple criteria. They provide quick and accurate analysis of large datasets, allowing businesses to uncover patterns that may be overlooked or difficult to read. With decision trees, companies can better assess their operations and strategies for maximum outcomes.

Random Forest

Random forests are a powerful AI model used for solving both regression and classification problems. It consists of multiple decision trees, each returning its own result, which is combined to make an accurate overall prediction. The random forest model is particularly useful when working with large datasets.

Machine learning labeling items in picture of empty kitchen

The random forest combines the results of multiple decision trees to provide a greater accuracy in predicting complex, high-accuracy problems. It creates these trees by randomly sampling features from the data and training them on different subsets of the data. As each tree has different results, combining all the results gives a higher level of accuracy than any single tree could achieve.

What Is Deep Neural Network?

Deep neural networks are a popular AI/ML model that has been applied in mobile app development. This type of network is modeled on the human brain, with multiple layers of artificial neurons processing multiple inputs and providing a single output. Thus deep learning was born.

Their capabilities are valued especially in mobile app development, where applications require a high level of performance for complex computational tasks.

What Does AI Really Look Like?

Because of Science Fiction, there is a popular misconception that AI is represented by robots, blue brains, or the terminator. This does not represent the reality of current AI and Machine Learning technologies; understanding how these technologies work is necessary for effectively and ethically designing them.

Self automated car

The field of AI is vast and it comes in multiple forms, from data-processing algorithms to robotic systems that engage with their environment. It can be seen in everyday products such as smartphones, cars, and domestic appliances.

Changing the view of AI requires demonstrating its physical form. Examples include technologies that analyze information from multiple sources, such as robotic cleaning products or customers’ search behavior. Many AI tools do not appear human but are aiding communities on a daily basis. It is essential to understand ethical implications and construct AI-powered systems securely in order to maintain safe and elaborate systems.

FAQs

Can AI exist without human beings?

AI is dependent on humans, as it is made from data and algorithms that are generated by us. That being so, AI cannot truly be without humans because it relies on our creativity and understanding for its definition. However, AI can adapt itself over time through interaction with the environment and data collected. This enables the system to become progressively smarter.

Can Python be used to create AI?

Python is often utilized to develop artificial intelligence (AI). It is favored for AI due to its versatility, readability, and compatibility with other applications. Python allows developers to quickly construct sophisticated algorithms which can manage complex tasks in any domain. If you’re wondering whether AI is hard to code, you can read more about it here.

What are examples of real-world applications of AI?

To improve customer service, chatbots provide real-time responses to queries. Computer vision systems are being used in security, healthcare, and retail for facial recognition and identifying objectsVoice-controlled digital assistants, like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri, allow users to access information or do tasks. AI’s have gained recognition because of their capacity to accurately process large amounts of data at great speeds.

 

Adam is a crypto expert & AI enthusiast who has been researching and writing on the topics since 2017.

He’s spoken on numerous podcasts and has been featured in many prominent media publications such as Forbes, CNN & CNBC.