Between Alexa, Google Home, and Siri it feels like AI technology is all around us. And it is. Believe it or not, you could even be using synthetic intelligence (by proxy) when you go to the doctor.
It can be a scary topic for people worried about robots taking over their day to day job. But the reality is, AI will make lives a whole lot easier and the future benefits of AI are far-reaching.
Read on for six Industries soon to be improved by Artificial Intelligence, in a good way.
1. Marketing
Have you heard the story of the young avid Target shopper that got notified of her pregnancy by Target itself? Yes - this young woman (who was still living with her parents) didn't know she was pregnant until she received a marketing mailer from Target, advertising baby and pregnancy products.
Target's algorithm knew that she was (probably) pregnant, based only on what she bought.
And since she still lived with her parents, you can imagine that the "why did you send my daughter this mailer" and the "dad, I'm pregnant" conversation didn't go well.
That's an extreme example of marketing's AI or synthetic intelligence tracking lifestyle buying changes. But if we look a little deeper, we see it can also track transitions from one life stage to another, too.
You've probably noticed this if you shop online often - that the internet knows what you need almost before you need it.
2. Music Streaming
Spotify has gotten praise for it's "we think you'll like this" algorithm when it suggests new music for you to listen to. It's a step above iTunes, which has this option too.
Whether it's a different tracking system they use or they're just better at it, people find more success using Spotify to find new music.
As we go towards a more streaming and less buying music culture, this "music personality" AI is going to get more important. More players are getting into the music streaming game, such as Tidal and iHeartRadio that could learn something from Spotify.
They won't be the last to start a streaming site - and we expect to see more niche-specific sites in the future.
3. Healthcare
What if your hospital's or doctor's office computer/processing system knew you were getting sick before you did?
While it's unlikely that AI would be able to tell when you're getting a common cold or a stomach bug, it could notice warning signs that doctors miss.
With so much data to analyze, sometimes doctors can concentrate on one thing and miss the big picture, or vice versa. AI technology can help them fill in those gaps and keep people well.
We predict that disease prevention will become much more collaborative in the future. We'll still need doctors and surgeons, as one-on-one medical advice is irreplaceable, but preventing diseases and long-term chronic illnesses will be a team effort.
There's hope that the AI system will help in the administrative healthcare process too - as billing mistakes cost both doctors and patients millions of dollars a year!
4. Customer Service
You log onto a website and you see a glowing or pulsing icon in the lower right corner. You click it and a little chat box pops up, prompting you to ask any questions to the "24/7 support team" or "customer service rep Anna".
While this is a good way to get customers to ask questions and reduce cart abandonment, it's also an example of AI. Chances are that those customer service reps are bots!
Bots that are well-trained/programmed to act and converse like a real person. If the bot doesn't know the answer, it may transfer the user to a real rep, whether they let the customer know or not.
Not only is this trend helping online businesses sell more products and services, but it gets them more site views as well. Google's SEO algorithm likes pages that focus on the customers' experience.
The easier you make getting information for the customer, the more likely Google is to promote your page in the search rankings.
Soon, it's going to be considered "required" in the retail industry.
5. Trucking
We still have a ways to go when it comes to self-driving cars, as Tesla tests have shown. But while the technology doesn't have the kinks all worked out just yet, we know that giants like Walmart are interested in AI-driven trucks.
They caused a stir a few years ago when it came out that they'd invested in a set of Tesla semi-trucks in 2018. These 30 smart trucks are part of Walmart's goal to have their delivery fleet 20% electric by 2022.
And if Walmart is doing it, you can expect other retail giants, like Target and Publix, aren't far behind.
In a few years, perhaps there'll be an "electric truck delivered" part of the grocery store for more eco-conscious shoppers!
6. Motorcycles
An AI-enabled motorcycle? Yes - BMW and other manufacturers are working on self-balancing (which is a large part of motorcycle driving) bikes. They're still a concept-bike, but there was a successful test run on a straight, closed track.
It sounds like we're one step closer to the flying cars sci-fi shows and novels have always promised!
The Next Big Shift in Synthetic Intelligence: Your Company
There's no reason - even if you're not in any of the industries listed above - that you can't get on the AI technology train. Without a doubt, there's some way that synthetic intelligence can make your day-to-day life easier.
Even if your customers or clients never see it. To figure out what's possible and plausible, you'll need to speak to an AI expert.
Let's make your life easier and your company more efficient- we're only one click away!
Tagged as: A.I.
About the Author:
Craig Lamb is a co-founder and serves as Chief Information Officer at Envative, a software development company offering custom end-to-end solutions in web, mobile and IoT. With over 25 years of experience in Information Technology leadership, he is a researcher and promoter of new technologies that are leveraged in Envative's custom development efforts. Craig's expertise and keen insights have made him a respected leader and an engaging speaker within the tech industry. His greatest source of professional achievement, however, is on the consultative and technologically advanced business culture that he (along with his business partner, Dave Mastrella) has built and cultivated for more than two decades.