The Pomp

Overviews of Current AI Conversations

Overview. The Pomp. The Buzz. The Fret.

AI 101: Article 3.1 “The Pomp” by Bart Niedner, 27 June 2023

The Pomp 

The pomp surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) is deafening. And for a good reason — AI has much to offer! Let’s look at some important, trending AI conversations.

AI in the Future

Imagine the future of AI like a train, powerful and always in motion. It has the potential to take us to fantastic new destinations, speeding up our journeys and increasing our efficiency in various fields, from healthcare to personalized services and data analysis — much like a high-speed rail line connecting cities that were once distant and inaccessible.

However, just as a train has the power to transform travel, it also brings challenges and concerns. We may worry about losing control and being locked in a speeding carriage with no way to slow it down — mirroring fears around AI impacting human agency, data privacy, and creating a dependence we may not fully understand. Also, there’s the question of what happens to those who once drove the old horse and carriage — this reflects the concern that AI might make certain jobs obsolete.

Yet, like the advent of railways, experts anticipate that AI will also stimulate innovation, opening up entirely new industries and job opportunities we can’t yet imagine. Instead of simply replacing old jobs, it could create new ones, just as the rise of railways led to jobs in train manufacturing, infrastructure development, and more. One of the best paying and most in-demand job skill sets in IT right now is “AI prompt engineering.” And, all over the Internet, we see numerous AI-knowledgable creatives offering courses and offering their AI knowledge for fees. Neither of these work arenas existed at scale six months ago. This train has a real head of steam!

There are ongoing discussions to address potential threats and pitfalls around safety mechanisms and regulations — akin to creating train signals, rules of operation, and cooperation among different railway companies. In the same vein, experts suggest enhancing global collaboration and designing policies to steer AI towards enhancing ‘humanness’ and promoting the common good.

The journey into the future of AI is a thrilling ride filled with anticipation and uncertainty. But as we continue to innovate, learn, and adapt, we can shape its direction and harness its potential for our collective benefit if we pay attention and act. Will you be a part of this important effort?

AI and Climate Change

Imagine our fight against climate change is like a complex board game. AI is like the master strategist that can help us win this game by forecasting future scenarios (like predicting weather conditions), strategizing our moves (such as efficient allocation of renewable energy), and constantly learning from past games (or, in our real-world analogy, learning from historical climate data).

AI, however, is a complex tool. It can be a double-edged sword, like a strategist who can play for multiple teams. Ethical worries related to AI, like public surveillance and intentional misuse, are like potential cheating mechanisms in the game. They can unfairly influence the game and lead to unwanted outcomes. Data bias, another key issue, is akin to giving an unfair advantage to some players over others, leading to an unequal game.

Moreover, while AI is great at strategizing the game, it’s also a power-hungry player. Current predictions indicate that by 2025, AI’s “energy consumption” (think of it as the food and drinks it needs to keep going during the game) could account for about 10% of total electricity usage. That’s a significant resource commitment we need to consider.

Nonetheless, the potential benefits are alluring. In a recent survey, 87% of CEOs agreed that our ‘AI strategist’ is essential to winning the climate game. They see its value, especially in reducing and measuring emissions effectively.

We must devise a new game plan to harness AI’s full potential. This plan should focus on three main areas: mitigation (reducing the climate impact), adaptability and resilience (planning for and bouncing back from changes), and fundamentals (understanding the underlying rules and workings of the climate better).

Hence, like any complex game, we must approach the role of AI in climate change strategically, keeping in mind its strengths, weaknesses, and ethical implications.

AI and Energy

Imagine the energy sector as a giant, complex machine with countless gears and levers that must be carefully manipulated for the system to function at its best. Now, picture AI as a highly-skilled mechanic with an uncanny knack for understanding and optimizing complex systems. From boosting the performance of green energy options like wind and solar power to making buildings and transport more energy-efficient, AI plays an instrumental role in making our energy machine run smoother and smarter.

In more specific terms, AI could be like a conductor, orchestrating a symphony of supply and demand in the energy market. It’s like a weather forecaster, strengthening our predictions about climate change. It’s even an arbitrator, enabling decisions that can reduce carbon footprints in various industries, and a strategist, figuring out the best way to distribute resources.

The potential of AI extends to the promising field of nuclear fusion too. The fusion process is akin to trying to contain a miniaturized sun within a bottle, and the pursuit of controlled nuclear fusion is as transformative as the quest for AGI (Artificial General Intelligence). Imagine AI as a careful scientist, not just observing but controlling and understanding the whims of this fiery sun-in-a-bottle.

For instance, scientists are now using machine learning, a subset of AI, to track and comprehend the behavior of plasma blobs in fusion reactors — like using high-tech binoculars to keep track of fast and unpredictable hummingbirds. In a collaboration between Google’s DeepMind and physicists, AI is being applied to fine-tune control of a nuclear fusion reaction, potentially speeding up our progress toward making this revolutionary power source practical.

Yet, as with any powerful tool, AI brings its challenges. Just as a careless mechanic could unintentionally harm the machine, unchecked AI could favor conventional energy sources over greener alternatives or contribute to a negative environmental impact through resource consumption. Clear guidelines and policies, like a mechanic’s manual, are crucial to ensure AI contributes positively to our energy future and mitigates climate change.

Trending Uses of AI

AI is already used in various industries and domains, including healthcare, finance, transportation, customer service, manufacturing, entertainment, cybersecurity, and others. Here are a few trending examples.

AI in Healthcare

Just as a multi-talented personal assistant can make life easier and more efficient, Artificial Intelligence (AI) serves a similar role in the healthcare industry — but with superhuman speed and accuracy. Think of AI as the Sherlock Holmes of medicine, using its remarkable skills to analyze medical data, diagnose diseases, suggest treatments, and even engage with patients.

Like a master chef creatively combining ingredients, AI employs several sub-fields, such as Natural Language Processing (which helps understand and generate human language) and Machine Learning (where the AI learns from experience) to concoct innovative solutions. Whether using AI services like PathAI to diagnose cancer as accurately as a seasoned pathologist or relying on AI chatbots like Buoy Health to interpret symptoms and offer preliminary advice akin to a friendly nurse, it’s clear that this technology is becoming an invaluable tool in healthcare.

Moreover, just as a detective leaves no stone unturned, AI helps research complex illnesses, bringing new hope to the fight against conditions like pediatric cancer, osteoporosis, and bipolar disorder. With AI on our side, we’re enhancing the quality of healthcare and making it more accessible and affordable, a boon for patients and providers alike. In this way, AI is showing itself to be an essential and reliable ally in our ongoing quest for better health.

AI in Finance

Imagine you’re running a lemonade stand. Now imagine having a team of experts who can predict how many people will come by your stand each day, which days will be the busiest, who’s likely to buy lemonade, and when you’re most likely to run out of lemons. You’d have the best lemonade stand in the neighborhood! Well, that’s what AI does for the finance industry. It provides invaluable insights and predictions to optimize operations and, more importantly, to serve their customers better.

These ‘AI experts’ are like your local weather forecast, but for finances. They use data to predict financial ‘weather conditions.’ They analyze a person’s credit history to predict if they’re likely to pay back a loan (like checking if it’s going to rain or shine) or study spending patterns to tailor personalized banking experiences (like suggesting you bring an umbrella if it usually rains at this time of year). This ‘weather forecast’ ability helps firms reduce risks and make smarter decisions — such as who gets a loan, how to manage investments, or even spotting potential fraud (like the storm on the horizon).

AI acts like a super-powered crystal ball, leveraging past patterns to anticipate future financial trends, just as meteorologists use historical weather data to predict tomorrow’s forecast. This ‘crystal ball’ is already helping about 70% of financial firms assess loan risks more accurately. By making sense of massive amounts of data, AI enables companies to make sounder decisions, reducing the risk of losses while increasing potential profits. So, just as you’d check the weather forecast before planning a picnic, financial firms now lean on AI to navigate their world more successfully.

AI in Transportation

Imagine the world of transportation as a massive, intricate orchestra. In this symphony of movement, each vehicle, from cars to bikes and even air cargo taxis, is like an individual musician, each with their part to play. Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes the ever-alert conductor, harmonizing this vast ensemble, ensuring every piece works together seamlessly, and even predicting potential off-notes (such as potholes) before they occur.

To dive deeper, consider AI as allowing our maestro access to all-seeing traffic officers at each corner. It can monitor road conditions, oversee intersections, keep a vigilant eye on pedestrian and cyclist paths, and swiftly detect any accidents, all in real time. It’s like having thousands of vigilant eyes watching every corner, keeping us safe and our travels efficient. Additionally, AI can study traffic patterns, determine the root cause of traffic snarls, and ensure smoother, safer journeys for everyone.

According to the UITP, 86% of public transportation entities are actively partnering to harness the power of AI in their operations — a testament to its increasing importance. The global AI market in transportation is forecast to surge to a remarkable $3.87 billion by 2026. Like an eagerly awaited crescendo in a musical performance, the potential benefits of AI in transportation are building up. From bolstering traffic safety and reducing environmental pollution to enhancing the overall quality of everyday life, the AI-led transformation in transport is rapidly becoming a melody everyone will want to tune into.

AI in Customer Service

Think of AI in customer service as an incredibly skilled multi-tasker juggling multiple roles in healthcare, government services, and retail sectors. AI can act as a knowledgeable medical assistant in healthcare, answering health queries and scheduling appointments, similar to a nurse coordinating patient care. In government services, it’s like an always-available civil servant, providing instant information on public services. In retail, AI can be the personal shopping assistant, suggesting products based on your preferences.

Let’s dive a little deeper. For instance, AI platforms like Ada Health in healthcare can assess symptoms and suggest possible conditions, much like a triage nurse in an emergency room. In government services, AI chatbots like those used in Singapore’s public sector answer citizens’ queries promptly and efficiently, similar to a service counter at a town hall. In the retail world, platforms like Shopify use AI to provide product recommendations, acting like a personal shopper who knows your style and preferences inside out.

Looking ahead, AI has the potential to become a comprehensive assistant in every sector, smoothly integrating into our daily routines. It could be the virtual health consultant giving medical advice, the digital civil servant simplifying bureaucratic processes, or the e‑commerce assistant personalizing your shopping experience. However, it’s important to remember that while AI can significantly enhance convenience and efficiency, the human touch is still integral to providing a truly personalized and empathetic service experience.

AI and Creativity

Let’s picture AI in the creative domain as an unwavering behind-the-scenes crew in a theater production, ceaselessly transforming the director’s vision into reality. Like this diligent crew, AI finds its place in various artistic fields, be it music, dance, culinary arts, writing, or design. It can rejuvenate classical artwork, weave new melodies, choreograph fresh dances, or put an unexpected spin on a traditional recipe or story plot.

Now, imagine the role of a playwright or novelist in a production, crafting engaging dialogues and plots. Sophisticated AI chatbots like ChatGPT are increasingly augmenting this role. They analyze vast amounts of text data, and then, akin to writers, they generate coherent and contextually appropriate responses or narratives. This technology can already create engaging dialogue for plays or even complete novel plots.

Building on our theater analogy, consider platforms like DALL‑E, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion. These AI tools create rich, high-quality images from text descriptions (prompts) — like set designers who convert abstract ideas into captivating, tangible worlds. Adobe Photoshop’s ‘Generative Fill,’ an AI-powered tool, acts like an ingenious props artist, adept at filling spaces with contextually apt elements. Generative Fill’s ability to adjust an area of an image rather than create a whole new image gives tremendous iterative design power to digital artists.

Looking toward the future, AI might evolve from the backstage crew to the director’s chair, creating its own cinematic masterpieces. Given its ability to generate images and audio, we may soon see AI-produced films that could stand toe-to-toe with any Hollywood blockbuster. However, it’s essential to remember that, like our faithful theater crew, AI is still the tool, the means to an end. The human imagination remains the shining star, the soul of all creativity.

Your Role in The AI Discussion

Please engage in the ongoing AI discussion here and elsewhere. It is essential to remain informed, curious, and open to its potential. Let’s explore the possibilities of AI together! What are your thoughts? What would you like to explore?

About the “AI 101” Article Series

AI-RISE articles in the AI 101 series are introductory material for anyone who wants accurate, conversational knowledge of this important technology shaping our world. This article makes the discussion more accessible to someone new to the AI conversation.

---

Article by Bart Niedner

Bart Niedner, a versatile creative, embarks on a journey of discovery as he delves into both novel writing and the intriguing realm of AI-assisted writing. Bart warmly welcomes you on this journey from novice to master as he leverages his creative abilities in these innovative domains. His contributions to AI-RISE and BioDigital Novels reflect AI collaboration and exploratory work – the purpose of these websites.

About Bart Niedner

---

“Get Your Geek On!” (Related Reads)

1. Kalejs, Erin. “7 AI Innovations Helping to Combat Climate Change.” AI For Good, May 2023, aiforgood.itu.int/7‑ai-innovations-helping-to-combat-climate-change.
2. Davenport, Thomas H. “How Generative AI Is Changing Creative Work.” Harvard Business Review, 16 Nov. 2022, hbr.org/2022/11/how-generative-ai-is-changing-creative-work.
3. Edelman, David C. “Customer Experience in the Age of AI.” Harvard Business Review, 15 Feb. 2022, hbr.org/2022/03/customer-experience-in-the-age-of-ai.
4. “How Artificial Intelligence Will Affect the Future of Energy and Climate | Brookings.” Brookings, 8 Mar. 2022, www.brookings.edu/articles/how-artificial-intelligence-will-affect-the-future-of-energy-and-climate.
5. “AI, Automation, and the Future of Work: Ten Things to Solve For.” McKinsey & Company, 31 May 2018, www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/ai-automation-and-the-future-of-work-ten-things-to-solve-for.
6. Bianzino, Nicola Morini. “Is AI the Start of the Truly Creative Human?” EY — US, June 2023, www.ey.com/en_us/ai/is-ai-the-start-of-the-truly-creative-human.

---

Encourage Participation

---

Interested?

First Name

Last Name

Email address:

Interests BioDigital Novels (the books) AI-RISE (the AI blog)

I have read and agree to the Terms, Conditions, & Policies.

Leave this field empty if you’re human:

---

Featured Image

---