No doubt each of us has come in contact with Artificial Intelligence (AI) – whether it is by shopping online and seeing ‘suggested for you’ products, or ads popping up in your Facebook feed, or at the bank when we are making a check deposit at the ATM.
Other industries, ranging from health to fitness to media to dating apps to finance have all adopted AI in some capacity to optimize and automate their processes. Although known in the academic world since the 1990s, AI is only coming to mainstream utilization in recent years. So what exactly is the power of AI and why is it becoming so popular now?
AI is what is known as a forward model in computer science, meaning it is a computer model that makes decisions based on the input into the model, such as data that can be in the form of pictures, numbers, and really anything that is mathematically quantifiable. Thus, this type of model is able to modify its prediction based on the dynamic flow of input. So, the longer that the model receives input, the ‘smarter’ it becomes and the better guesses it can make about future behavior.
It is different from the backward model, or non-AI predictive computer algorithms, in that in a backward model a prediction is made on a past data set and the unique parameters that are chosen at the time of the model building. Therefore, it does not have the capacity to modify its guesses or predictions because no matter how many times the backward model is fed data, it will always give the same answer for the same data point, this is a crucial difference to the forward model, where the answer changes with more data that is fed into the model.
The reason why AI is being prevalently used now than before is twofold: 1) the science and the advancement behind algorithm development; 2) with the abundance of data generated makes it a perfect time to use this model. One of the key principles of algorithm design for AI is that there must be enough ‘training’ data on which to ‘train’ the model before it is able to make meaningful predictions. This number can range from 10,000 data points and above. The abundance of data did not exist in the same capacity as it does now, and with the prevalence of high-speed computing, this is a perfect time utilize this model.
Now, that we understand what AI is and why it is being used now, let’s examine what AI can and cannot do. AI is able to replicate and automate decisions based on certain parameters that are fed into the program, but no matter what AI cannot be creative. It is only a program that is able to quickly and efficiently match and sort data, it is unable to make creative decisions about things, ideas or places.
Although it can replicate behavior, it does not have imagination, because it is just a sorting algorithm with advanced functional optimization and regression techniques. The human mind, on the other hand, is rapidly creative and imaginative. Humans are able to think of stories and imagine things which we then bring to life. As Walt Disney said, “if you can dream it, you can do it.” AI cannot do that, rather what it can do is repetitive tasks at an extremely efficient rate. So in the age of AI human creativity will have more premium than ever before.
The key takeaway is that more and more industries will be leveraging the power of AI, which may lead to a reduced workforce in the areas of the workforce that require repetitive tasks. Instead, the world will need more creativity in all endeavors, even in regards to implementing and leveraging AI technology creatively.
This article was first published in Forbes Magazine. The writer Dr. Anna Powers is an entrepreneur, advisor and an award winning scientist. Her passion is sharing the beauty of science and encouraging women to enter STEM fields.
