Artificial intelligence – the word may cause uncertainty for many people. What exactly will happen in the next few years, where and how? It seems certain: AI will change professional and private life.
AI is an umbrella term for different machines and programs that, like humans, can independently learn, judge and solve problems.
We’ve been carrying them in our pockets for a long time or have them standing in the living room – millions of Germans already have contact with artificial intelligence every day, if only through Siri in the telephone or the voice assistant Alexa. But the uncertainty is great: from the horror scenario “machines take over the world” to fear for jobs. At the same time, artificial intelligence is rapidly gaining importance in almost all areas of life. Above all, the industry has high hopes in a market that is – at least in Germany – often still in its infancy.
“Key Technology” Artificial intelligence
AI is an umbrella term for different machines and programs that, like humans, can independently learn, judge and solve problems. Learn computers by analyzing vast amounts of data. Sophisticated algorithms can recognize patterns in pictures, texts, or spoken language, predict patterns based on these events, and make decisions. In the meantime, they can even recognize emotions in human faces, but they are (still) unable to express their own emotions, compassion and genuine creativity.
Artificial intelligence in everyday life
Learning systems are not only in the speech recognition of Apple and Amazon. There is a Google assistant who can – more authentically than Siri and Alexa – book hairdressing appointments. Also, that cell phones display photos for specific characteristics – such as all with cars or palm trees or specific people – is due to Artificial Intelligence. It is also installed in a lawn mower or vacuum cleaner robots. In modern cars, navigation, telephone and air conditioning can be controlled via AI via voice and sometimes even via gestures. Artificial intelligence is also included in the parking and lane departure warning systems.
AI in Business and Research
In medicine, AI is supposed to support the early detection of cancer, robots are already performing parts of surgeries much more precisely than a surgeon. Among other things, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence is working on exoskeletons that could be used in inaccessible places such as deep sea or space, but which should also make it easier for nurses to do their physically demanding work.
The learning algorithms should also conquer the financial market and control the stock selection of funds. In agriculture, scientists are working on systems that detect whether potatoes are affected by the disease – the use of fungicides is thereby significantly reduced. Probably the best-known area of use is autonomous driving. AI not only has to recognize stop signs, but also foresee dangers – for example, anticipating that a ball rolling on the street between parked cars could chase after a child.
Germany wants to catch up
The world leaders in AI are the US and China with companies such as Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Alibaba or Huawei. “They alone invest billions in AI every year,” says digital president Bitkom, Achim Berg. Germany is indeed a world leader in basic research for many years. “But it did not produce too many products.” Nevertheless, Industry President Dieter Kempf sees a good starting position: “If we succeed in Germany in combining our industrial know-how with AI know-how, we will secure ourselves an excellent competitive position.”
The strategy of the Federal Government
The Federal Government wants to support the research and application of artificial intelligence by 2025 with three billion euros – and builds on the fact that the economy, science and countries at least once again invest just as much. Among other things, a network of at least twelve networked research centers is to be set up. At the universities, 100 additional professorships will be established. Medium-sized companies should be supported in tests. In addition, more data should be available with which AI systems can learn.
In which sectors AI becomes important
In almost all industries, business associations say. AI becomes important where data can be collected and interpreted, affecting almost the entire economy. Berg also says: “In the future, there will hardly be any products or services that do not use AI technology in one way or another.” AI becomes the basis for the development of autonomous cars as well as for efficient logistics with optimal route planning. And in production, AI systems are capable of automatically detecting defects in components.
What AI means for jobs
Do you still need a taxi or bus drivers in the future when cars and buses drive autonomously? And what happens in the factories? The economy is trying to take fears. Although it brings the technical progress with it, that some activities are eliminated and others arise new, says the Chief Executive of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Martin Wansleben. DIHK surveys, however, hinted at no loss of employment.
However, the demands on employees will rise. “AI will move into our professional life as well as into our private lives,” says Berg. “Artificial intelligence will in the foreseeable future in the foreseeable future, in the vast majority of cases, not completely relieve the work, but support us in our activities.”
When is the time?
Until AI is used nationwide, it should take time. Only 20 percent of all German companies use AI, 30 percent are still in the development phase, according to the BDI. In a Bitkom survey, two-thirds of companies say that AI will have changed society noticeably in ten years at the latest.
This article was originally published by CIO FROM IDG.