The Future is Knocking: The AI Revolution

Things like healthcare, education, eradicating poverty, and security have the potential to be dramatically improved by artificial intelligence (AI). AI makes it possible for robots to observe, read, or search through massive amounts of data for patterns more quickly, improving and enhancing our daily lives.

Here are some significant dates: 

In 1997, IBM's "Deep Blue" computer defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov. 

In 2017, Google's "Alpha Go" defeated the best player in the world at the game of Go. 

In 2018, Hanson Robotics' humanoid robot "Sophia" delivered a speech at the United Nations. 

In 2018, Facebook's AI poker bot "Pluribus" defeated top players. 

In 2018, Google Translate translated texts into other languages faster 

I believe there are three key factors accelerating this development: 

1. The phenomenal growth in hardware performance over the past 25 years, the sharp decline in electrical power consumption, and the ever-increasing performance of cameras, microphones, and sensors of all kinds. 

2. The development of strong algorithms linked to intricately interconnected neural networks. Without any particular programming, these networks are capable of recognizing patterns. 

3. The enormous amount of data stored in the cloud contributes to the greatest rise in success. The billions of photos, texts, movies, and personal files that exist are all training data for intelligent machines.

AI will fundamentally change society and the work environment. Here are several areas that stand out in particular:

A) Smart Factory - the future vision in industry

A Smart Factory is a highly digitized shop floor that continuously collects and shares data through connected machines, devices, and production systems, e.g. in mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, electrical engineering, agriculture, but also medical technology. Employees will have a virtual impact on the work process without direct physical contact.

B) Smart Office

A Smart Office is a workplace where technology enables people to work better, faster and, of course, smarter. Beacons, sensors, and mobile apps help employees perform menial tasks better and faster, so they have enough time to focus on growing businesses and innovating. In clinics, companies or banks, voice-controlled AI systems will process data and give recommendations for diagnoses or optimization of processes.

C) Smart Grid

A Smart Grid is an electricity network enabling a two-way flow of electricity and data whereby smart metering is often seen as a first step. Smart grids – as a concept – became known over a decade ago and are essential in the digital transformation of the electricity sector. A network becomes intelligent and sustainable if an appropriate exchange of information can control optimal electricity generation, electricity consumption and electricity storage. In Germany it has been decided that every electricity meter will meet these requirements by 2032.

D) Intelligent traffic lights for smart cars 

If we want to lessen traffic congestion, safeguard the environment, and improve safety, the future of mobility will and must change. With the use of sensor technologies and GPS, a smart car is a vehicle that supports both partially and fully autonomous driving. Intelligent traffic signals continuously track, learn, foresee, and react to traffic demands and situations with the best signal timing possible for the time being. With the use of these technology, numerous pilot programs have lowered travel times and greenhouse gas emissions by over 25% while halting cars 30% less frequently.

E) Smart City

A smart city is a location where traditional networks and services are improved for the benefit of its people and businesses by using digital and telecommunication technologies. A smart city uses information and communication technologies for more than just better resource management and lower pollution. It entails improved water supply and waste disposal facilities, more effective ways to light and heat buildings, and more affordable, accessible, and environmentally friendly urban transportation. It also entails creating a local administration that is more responsive and engaging, making public areas safer, and addressing the requirements of an aging population.

F) Smart Agriculture 

Agriculture workers currently use AI and digitization on a regular basis. Using big data, the cloud, and the internet of things, smart farming is a management concept that aims to give the agricultural sector the infrastructure it needs to use cutting-edge technologies for tracking, monitoring, automating, and analyzing activities. Agriculture is changing due to automation, robot use, machine control of fertilization and weed control, use of renewable energies, and control over feeding.

G) Protection of Privacy

The privacy, data protection, and security issues presented by AI systems are also evolving. Important infrastructure must be protected since global networks have become new entry points for criminal activity. 

In conclusion, AI already possesses the ability to perform a number of extremely useful tasks that humans will never be able to complete. AI has the potential to have a positive impact on society, economy, and culture on a par with the internet if we can use that to supplement what people do well.