What is AI and how does it work?

Nowadays we hear almost everyday and in every field of work about "AI"- that stands for "artificial intelligence." However, not everyone truly understands its meaning, let alone how it works, and its functionality and versatility to adapt to every field of business. Even in academia, AI has become the most salient topic of discussion across specific fields of study and interdisciplinary ones. For that reason, in this article we will explore broadly what is the AI and how does it work.

What does artificial intelligence (AI) mean?

AI means a computer or machine which can do tasks that usually need human thinking. However, it does not mean that the computer has feelings or a real brain. Below, a brief summary of the main tasks that an AI can do:

• answer questions

• understand your voice

• recognize faces in photos

• translate languages

• give suggestions like what to watch or buy

Is AI already part of my daily life?

Naturally, to everyone of us, this question might have crossed our minds. And yes, you may be using AI without even realising it. Here are a few examples to illustrate this point:

• smartphones that listen when you talk and answer your questions

• email programs that move unwanted messages to the spam folder

• navigation apps that tell you the best way to drive/walk/cycle/take public transport

• TV services that suggest shows you may enjoy based on your own preferences

• chat boxes on websites that answer basic customer questions or FAQ

As we can see now, everyone can find themselves at least in one of the above points in everyday life, so we can admit that AI is already making our daily life easier quietly in the background.

How does AI work?

Said in simple words, AI learns from examples. You can imagine it like teaching a child: the more examples you show, the better they learn. For example, if a computer sees many pictures of cats and learns that these are cats, it will start to recognize cats in new pictures. That's it: AI looks for patterns, explores trends and connects dots. The same idea works with spoken words, written texts, or even decisions. The more it practices, the better it becomes. Nonetheless, AI is still in a stage that requires people to assist in its processes in order to ensure that its functionality conforms to the national laws of the country, the regulations of the private agency, and/or respects the rules, norms and other social values of a particular society and universal human rights.

Should I be worried about AI?

Not really! AI can help in many ways. From helping doctors to identify diseases, in supporting people to overcome certain disabilities, up to saving time in daily tasks for everyone. Yet, as any other tool in the market, it still requires caution to be used. That is why IT and legal experts have imposed a set of rules to make sure that AI is safe and fair in terms of not jeopardizing government services, society's norms and culture, and to be politically correct without falling into an instrument for disseminating disinformation to advert public opinion.

Examples in everyday life: with and without AI

Without AI	With AI
You search the TV guide to find something to watch	Your TV suggests shows based on what you like (by looking at the previously watched history)
You check the weather on TV or in the newspaper	Your phone tells you the weather automatically (by detecting your location automatically or showing your previously searched places)
You sort through your emails by hand	Spam emails are moved away for you automatically
You ask a person for directions	Your phone shows the fastest route with live traffic updates (after setting up those preferences)
You wait on hold to speak to customer service	A chat on the website answers simple questions right away (or provides FAQ depending on subjects)
You need to translate something with a dictionary	Your phone or browser can translate text instantly (not only by writing the text, but even via camera access or voice message)

Final thoughts

Artificial intelligence (AI) sounds like a big idea from the future, but it is actually part of our life today. You do not need to understand all the details to benefit from it. Instead, look at it simply as a smart helper that works quietly behind the scenes to ease our lives. The key takeaway is not to be afraid of the AI, but to properly grasp its meaning by understanding how it works and how we can utilize it to support our needs in life for daily tasks, work and even pleasure.

If you are curious about AI or want to know how it could support you or your business, Redest Company stands ready to help! We explain things clearly, step by step, and without complicated language. Please don't hesitate to contact us! We look forward in providing our expertise & support!

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