Imagine you have an employee who can read very quickly, never forgets what he has read, and can draw conclusions from that information almost instantly. He never gets tired or makes mistakes if the input is correct. All he is limited by is the amount and quality of information he is given.
Artificial intelligence, in simple terms, is such an employee. With the help of this technology, a computer solves problems that previously required human participation. For example, it communicates with clients in a chat or makes a forecast for sales volumes.
How AI Works
What we call artificial intelligence today are programs trained to perform certain types of tasks.
For example, the Midjourney neural network, which generates images, was trained on millions of other images and text descriptions of these images. And ChatGPT, whose main task is to create texts, pre-study all the texts it could get its hands on.
AI is based on a mathematical model that is specifically trained using pre-prepared data. There are two methods by which AI services are trained to perform tasks:
- Machine learning;
- Deep learning.
1. Machine Learning
Machine learning involves the AI receiving a set of input data that it needs to see patterns in, such as report tables or product cards. Sometimes developers feed the AI model labeled data with obvious patterns, and sometimes they feed a set of data without obvious patterns.
This type of learning is used when it is necessary to group some initial data or create associations between them. This is how “People also bought this product” recommendations are created in online stores, track selections in streaming services, analytics and reports in CRM.
2. Deep Learning
Deep learning is a neural network-based learning approach where the AI learns not from the original data set, but from the learning results obtained in the previous step. Because of this, developers do not always know how exactly the neural network came to certain decisions.
Deep learning enables AI to produce more complex products: texts, images, music. Chatbots are evolving with deep learning: they communicate with themselves and become more human over time, which means they are more useful for business tasks.
Researchers distinguish three types of artificial intelligence:
- weak AI;
- strong AI;
- super AI.
Strong and super AI is just a theory in which AI will have self-awareness and thinking superior to humans. Today we are dealing only with “weak AI”. But even existing AI technologies can replace human labor in some tasks.
How Businesses Use AI
Artificial intelligence is used in generative neural network services such as Midjourney and ChatGPT, autopilots and other applications.
For example, AI can fully control a car in street traffic, in any weather, and even if road markings are damaged or partially missing. A driverless taxi can already be ordered in Moscow’s Yasenevo. But although the car itself will be controlled by a program, a human will still sit in the driver’s seat: this is required by law.
Computer vision technologies together with AI are used in medicine to analyze X-ray images and make diagnoses. Facial recognition, which is also based on AI, is actively used in retail and banking: for example, now in some stores you can pay for purchases with your face – the camera at the checkout will automatically find the buyer’s bank account and write off the money from it.
The most widespread are applied AI technologies. They help businesses analyze data, create business strategies, optimize CRM work, or communicate with clients in chats.
Some tasks are more difficult for neural networks than others: for example, AI cannot yet cope with fact-checking. We will tell you how neural networks can be used now in a separate article.
Researchers predict that AI will play a significant role in the economy in the future. According to McKinsey surveys, 56% of companies have already assigned at least one task to AI in 2021. They use algorithms to work with risk management, recruitment, marketing, logistics, and production.
What is important to remember
- Artificial intelligence is a technology that allows creative work to be delegated to computer algorithms.
- With the help of AI, it is possible to analyze large amounts of data, generate texts, images, music and videos.
- Businesses can use AI to make work more efficient or save on labor costs
