This is not my first article on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in this space,
and given that it is a trending subject, it probably will not be the last.
اضافة اعلان
For the minority who may not have followed the AI trend,
whereas traditional computer programing is essentially about straightforward
calculation, plain information, and direct data retrieval, AI consists of
applying more advanced, more elaborate programing methods, allowing those using
the system to have the machine make “human-like” decisions and predictions, all
based on previous experiences registered and gigantic amounts of data analyzed.
Hence the terminology: artificial, because a machine is doing it, and
intelligence, because it tries to imitate human thinking, reasoning and
decision-making processes.
What has made real-life implementation of AI
possible, above anything else, is the gigantic amount of data now available on
the global networks that AI can tap to function. Additionally, comes a combination
of powerful, lightning-fast computer processors, inexpensive massive memory
size and data storage, and modern programming techniques and algorithms.
One way or another, a large number of the new,
advanced computer applications and software in general involves AI. Computers
are not just powerful calculators anymore. Until about 2015, the French would
often refer to computers as “calculateurs”; these days are gone. Now the global
IT community wants to see computers as thinkers, too.
Among the systems that would not function without
AI: self-driving vehicles, automated HR applications, advanced graphics
generation programs like Canvas and Dall-Ethat, personalized e-shopping, some
spam-filtering algorithms, GPS-based mapping (Google Maps for example), as well
as certain online games.
Simplilearn.com says: “The Alien Isolation games …
uses AI to stalk the player throughout the game. The game uses two Artificial
Intelligence systems - ‘Director AI’ that frequently knows your location and
the ‘Alien AI’, driven by sensors and behaviors that continuously hunt the
player.”
Large corporations, typically where the number of
employees exceeds 5,000, now use the AI-powered HR system to take current,
minor decisions, without any human intervention at all. This includes recruiting
staff at a basic level, by automated analysis of the CVs and the applications
for employment received, and even firing employees in some extreme cases.
One way or another, a large number of the new, advanced computer applications and software in general involves AI. Computers are not just powerful calculators anymore.
It is, however, the prediction side of AI that is
the most daring, the most thrilling, and at the same time the most debated and
controversial.
Weather forecast, for periods exceeding a couple of
weeks is only possible with an AI-powered system, albeit always with a “certain
degree of certitude”. Even more accurate: “At École Polytechnique Fédérale de
Lausanne in Switzerland, researchers have created an inexpensive system that
can predict when lightning will strike to the nearest 10 to 30 minutes.”
(Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics)
The celebrated Google Assistant, Amazon’s Alexa,
Apple’s Siri, and Microsoft’s Cortana are AI-based systems. The fun part that
sometimes comes with their reactions and answers is included, but not
necessarily intended by the designers.
Last week I experienced a software bug — a hilarious
one — in Google Maps, while driving in Amman. I set and customized the voice
language of the app on my phone to French. It is just a matter of personal
taste and about staying in touch with my mother tongue in a pleasant way.
Whereas most of the time the voice delivery is perfect, the other day, and in
the middle of the directions it was giving me over the car speaker, it suddenly
switched to English, but started pronouncing the words as if they were French.
It took me a few seconds to understand what was going on and to refocus on driving
safely. I turned the app off and then on again, and everything went back to
normal. AI-powered applications, even by powerful and AI-hungry giants like
Google, are yet to be perfected.
Again, some aspects may be funny, but the predictive
side of AI is to be approached with caution.
IT is my specialty and has been my field of work
since 1980, and I do believe that AI is bringing a significant contribution to
advanced programing and will fuel the sophisticated, automated, and smart
systems to come. Yet, despite that, I utilize AI with caution, and realize that
it has its limits — at least for now.
Carlos Alija’s post on LinkedIn earlier this year
said it quite eloquently: “We live in a world … that has quickly built a blind
trust in data and AI. That presumes, sometimes arrogantly, that you can predict
outcomes and behaviors with a few pieces of information and past benchmarks.
I’m glad that our humanness is still here to remind us that it is the
unpredictable, the unexpected and what comes from the heart that makes life
interesting.”
A tidbit of information: The concept of AI was first
presented by pioneering American computer scientist John McCarthy, circa 1956.
Jean-Claude Elias is a computer engineer and a classically
trained pianist and guitarist. He has been regularly writing IT articles,
reviewing music albums, and covering concerts for more than 30 years.
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