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AI, the latest buzzword for almost any and every product with even a modicum of technology attached to it. I'm sure you've seen the ads about how the new refrigerator utilizes AI to keep your food at the perfect temperature, or that smart thermostat that saves energy and keeps your home comfortable, maybe even how AI will power your vacuum cleaner to keep your floors dust free. The fact is, AI isn't simply for the big companies anymore, its hitting every industry, type of product, and job, and it's showing no signs of slowing down. If anything its advancing and spreading faster.
First off, what exactly is AI? AI is a broad term for a wide range of technology such as chatbots, predictive algorithms, and other software that mimic "intelligence." These technologies are being utilized in ways that even 5 years ago would have sounded like something out of a science fiction movie. By utilizing these technologies, companies are making products faster, more effective, more efficient, and more productive than ever before in human history.
One area you have likely heard the most about is cars. While innovations have been made over the decades, the fundamentals of cars has been, for the most part, the same. You put in an engine that burns fuel and uses a steering wheel to alter the course of the vehicle, all controlled by the hands and feet of the operator. In the last few years we have seen the rise of the "self driving car." While its not completely self driving yet, its getting there and fast. These cars use AI to make millions of calculations based on speed, road conditions, objects in the vicinity and more to help the vehicle stay on the road, at the right speed, while minimizing the chances of a deadly collision. I have no doubt that within the next 10 years, full automated vehicles will be prevalent in society, from taxi services to delivery vehicles, there is a good chance most of these will be fully AI operated.
While you may not be into all those high tech, electric self driving car, one industry you likely use to some extent is banking. Banks have been adopting AI for quite some time, from lowly and often hated chatbots to minimize customer service load, up to hedge funds utilizing AI to utilize huge amounts of financial data to predict trends and lower risks. One of the best ways that banks utilize AI is monitoring your spending. While this may sound scary at first, this allows the bank to atomically notify you the instant an "odd" charge hits your account, allowing you to stop it before it clears. I'm sure we've all gotten on of those "Was this you?" texts from our bank when we bought something out of the ordinary. This feature helps prevent fraud on your account in real time and makes life really difficult for identity thieves.
Another field we all use is medicine. Everyone gets sick or hurt and needs a doctor from time to time. In the past the level of care was dependent on the doctors experience, knowledge, and work load, which could lead to more issues if your case wasn't run of the mill. Now doctors can feed in vitals data like heart rate, pulse ox, and temperature as well as feeding in other information they collect from the patient to assist in diagnosis. While they are still relying on their expertise, this may bring up possible diseases that they wouldn't normally think about due to rarity or presenting in an odd way, helping them to use their knowledge and experience to more accurately diagnose and treat patients quickly and saving lives.
Education is seeing a huge uptick in AI usage, both from faculty and students. ChatGPT has been a major disruptive force in education with many students using it to write entire papers on a subject in seconds. While that is an example of AI being used in a less than productive way, lets say you want to learn about a topic. You could spend hours googling it, finding some information after sorting through ads, junk sites, and sites completely unrelated to what you are looking for because of the way search engines work. Paid ad sites and those with the right keywords filter to the top, and that's not necessarily always the most accurate way of finding information. While you should still fact check anything an AI puts out, because after all it is trained on this same data, it can be vastly more efficient by making connections between data to find the data thats actually relevant to what you are trying to learn.
This leads us into our next industry, tech. You may have noticed that Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, and other tech giants are in an AI arms race. The days of search engines are coming to an end and the way we are interacting with the internet is changing, and fast. They all know if they don't get in front of it now, their company will be the next MySpace or Alta Vista, an empty shell that more or less sticks around for nostalgia. AI is allowing people to write a question as if they were asking a person and get a response back that is the same way. They don't necessarily have to hit every site to piece together a complete picture because an AI will do that for them and give them the relevant information.
Still not convinced? How about an example. If I ask ChatGPT (the leading AI Chatbot as of this writing) "How do I repair the AC in my 2010 Dodge RAM?" this is the response 3.5 spits back out: Repairing the AC in your 2010 Dodge RAM can vary depending on the specific issue you're experiencing. However, here are some general steps you can follow:
Check the refrigerant levels: Low refrigerant levels can cause the AC system to blow warm air. You can use a pressure gauge to check the refrigerant levels. If they are low, you may need to recharge the system with refrigerant. It's recommended to consult the vehicle's manual or seek professional help for proper refrigerant handling.
Inspect for leaks: AC systems can develop leaks over time, which can lead to loss of refrigerant. Inspect the AC components, such as hoses, fittings, and connections, for any signs of leakage. If you detect a leak, it's advisable to have it repaired by a qualified technician.
Check the AC compressor: The AC compressor is responsible for circulating refrigerant in the system. If the compressor is faulty or not engaging properly, it can affect the AC performance. You can visually inspect the compressor for any damage or unusual signs, but diagnosing compressor issues may require professional expertise.
Test the AC controls: Ensure that the AC controls, such as the switches, knobs, and buttons, are functioning correctly. Faulty controls can prevent the AC from operating as intended. If necessary, have the controls tested or replaced.
Consult a professional: If you're uncertain about diagnosing or repairing the AC system, it's recommended to seek assistance from a qualified mechanic or automotive service center. They have the knowledge, tools, and experience to properly diagnose and address AC-related issues in your specific vehicle model.
Remember, working on the AC system can involve handling refrigerant, which requires proper knowledge and equipment. It's important to prioritize safety and follow appropriate procedures or consult a professional when necessary.
I am by no means a "car guy" but this response came back in under 5 seconds and gives me all the relevant information I need to get started. Lets try another example, say I want to try my hand at writing a fiction novel but have no idea where to start. I could google it, or I could ask ChatGPT "How would I go about writing a fantasy novel with lots of magic, drama, and action?" It's response?
Writing a fantasy novel with magic, drama, and action can be an exciting and creative endeavor. Here are some steps to help you get started:
Develop your story concept: Start by brainstorming ideas for your fantasy world, including the setting, magic system, and overall plot. Think about the themes and conflicts you want to explore in your story.
Create compelling characters: Build a diverse cast of characters with unique personalities, backgrounds, and motivations. Consider their roles in the story and how they interact with each other. Develop their strengths, weaknesses, and personal arcs to make them engaging and relatable to readers.
Build your fantasy world: Develop the rules and limitations of your magic system, including its source, different types of magic, and how it functions. Create a detailed and immersive world with its own history, geography, cultures, and creatures. Consider how the magic system and world-building elements shape the story and its conflicts.
Outline your plot: Outline the main events, conflicts, and character arcs in your story. Identify key plot points, including the inciting incident, rising action, climax, and resolution. Consider pacing, suspense, and how to balance the magic, drama, and action throughout the narrative.
Write engaging dialogue and descriptions: Craft compelling dialogue that reveals character traits, advances the plot, and captures the unique voice of each character. Use descriptive language to create vivid settings, immersive action scenes, and captivating magical moments.
Edit and revise: Once you have completed a draft of your novel, revise and edit it to improve clarity, pacing, and overall storytelling. Consider seeking feedback from beta readers or joining writing groups to gain valuable perspectives and suggestions for improvement.
Polish and publish: Once you are satisfied with your manuscript, you can explore the publishing options available to you. Research traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing to determine the best route for your goals. If pursuing traditional publishing, consider querying literary agents to represent your work.
Remember, writing a novel takes time, dedication, and practice. Be patient with yourself, allow your creativity to flow, and enjoy the process of bringing your fantasy world and characters to life.
While these examples are more aimed at your everyday person, specialized versions of these chatbots are being developed and trained on specific fields and industries allowing professionals access to more information, more quickly, so they can do their job more efficiently. There is an AI plug in called Codeium that allows software developers to utilize AI to increase efficiency of writing and debugging code. Ada takes in information to diagnose patients and allow them to share that information with a doctor for faster and more effective treatment. There are many more, for instance these AI programs are being used in multiple companies across multiple industries.
The fact of the matter is AI is here to stay, and its going to affect your life, and your job. These programs are a tool that can be used to help humanity, and by utilizing them you too can improve your productivity and efficiency. While the human component of the workforce isn't going away any time soon, it will need to adapt to these changes. AI is now available to everyone in one form or another, and utilizing it effectively can be the difference of staying on top or being left behind. If you would like more information on how to get started with AI today, All American Cyber can help. Contact us and begin your AI journey!
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