Artificial intelligence powers the world around us, fueling even the simplest tasks like selecting a movie to stream, listening to your favorite music on Spotify, and unlocking your phone to make a call.
AI algorithms are being applied across industries. In simple terms, AI sifts, sorts and learns from our words and actions, and predicts intentions and changes to information. AI delivers speed and accuracy.
Here’s a look at some of the daily tasks powered by artificial intelligence:
What to Stream
Ever scroll through Netflix and wonder how it knows the kinds of movies and shows you like to watch? Netflix and other streaming services use AI to select what you’re most likely to watch based on your viewing history. The Netflix recommendation engine will recommend genres and actors it believes you will like. The system will even suggest what to watch based on the time of day you’re logged in. About 80 percent of what you watch on Netflix is driven by this AI tool.
Unlocking Your Phone With Face ID
Smartphone devices that feature Face ID use machine learning algorithms to scan and recognize your face to unlock your phone. The technology is so precise that only twins can unlock each other’s phones using their image.
Online Shopping
Much like Netflix, retailers like Amazon useAI to recommend products you and others like you are likely to purchase. The company has taken the recommendations a step further by boxing and shipping products it expects customers in a specific area will want based on their purchasing history. This process uses the patent-pending “anticipatory shipping algorithm.” The packages wait at Amazon hubs, and even on trucks, until an order arrives.
Social Media
AI powers a lot of what you see and who you regularly engage with on social media. AI learns from your posts, engagements and friendships, and it adjusts your feeds based on those insights. It even suggests friendships.
Social media networks like Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn use AI to advertise more effectively to users. AI algorithms are applied to develop creative social media ads. These ads are optimized automatically to generate clicks and conversions.
Managing Your Finances
Banks have become savvy users of AI. As you deposit, save, transfer and pay bills, AI monitors your activities. AI algorithms determine when your account is running low, remind you to make a payment, and monitor your activity for anything that looks unusual. That AI helps keep your finances and spending in check.
Transportation Apps
Many people rely on mapping apps to get to appointments. Many of those apps, such as Google Maps and Waze, rely on AI to monitor existing traffic, weather and other conditions to find the best route.
Email providers, spam checkers and antivirus software all use AI to work more effectively and quickly. They all rely on natural language processing (NLP), a technology that analyzes language in text and speech and make recommendations. Gmail and other email providers use NLP to finish your sentences, knowing what you’re likely to write. NLP helps with texting and email. The next time Gmail offers to finish your sentence, you’ll know that’s AI in action.
Smart Home Devices
Alexa, Nest and other devices use artificial intelligence to adjust the air conditioner, turn on and off lights, activate security systems, and even let you in if you're locked out. Alexa, a sophisticated chatbot, will even talk to you, answering questions and providing options and recommendations. Some appliances, such as refrigerators, use AI to let you know when you’ve run out of popular items.
Search Engine Searches
It’s not magic that helps Google, Bing and otherISPs find just what you’re looking for. AI algorithms sift through mountains of data to narrow your searches and save you time. Algorithms track your site visits, personalizing ads based on your search history.
