The talk around Artificial Intelligence has become mainstream with the launch of OpenAI’s generative AI Chatbot ChatGPT. ChatGPT got 1 million users within first 5 days of its launch and completed 100m users worldwide by January 2023, since its launch in November 2022.
It has become the biggest exposure for people to witness on what generative AI can do and how it can disrupt public life, for better or worse. According to a report by Investment bank Goldman and Sachs, if generative AI delivers on its promised capabilities, the labor market could face significant disruption. But let’s focus on the good things that are possible with AI when combined with another technology, the internet of Things (IoT).
IoT and AI
IoT is a network of interconnected devices embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies where devices can communicate with each other, collect data, and make decisions based on that data. Some popular examples of IoT around us include smartphone, smart lighting, Bluetooth beacons, smart speakers etc.
On the other hand, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science that focuses on creating intelligent machines that can perform tasks that would typically require human intervention.
While both of these technologies are different, they can however work together to create powerful applications that can revolutionize the way we live and work. With the network of IoT devices (there are more than 15B IoT devices at present) connected over the internet, sharing data, use of AI will certainly felicitate a data backed decision making and actions, unlocking a new level of automation in human lives that was previously unheard of.
IoT and Artificial Intelligence Working Together
One significant way that IoT and AI can work together is through the use of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms. Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence and computer science which is dedicated to, as the name suggest, Machine Learning, where machines can self learn through past data. When it comes to IoT, through ML, IoT devices can learn over time and form predictions based on the data collected.
In a smart building, sensors can collect data on temperature, humidity, and lighting levels and based on this collected data, ML algorithms can predict when to adjust the temperature, lighting, and ventilation systems to provide an optimal work environment. You getting the drift?
This is just one example. In smart homes, when smart lighting systems work with AI and ML, it can learn when the occupants go to sleep, when the intensity needs to be dimmed, when lights need to be turned on/off etc.
IoT, Vast amount of Data, and AI
Since IoT is about machines communicating a vast amount of data with each other over the internet, AI can help these IoT devices analyze the vast amounts of data collected by sensors.
As IoT devices continue to proliferate, the amount of data generated will only increase and will be challenging to analyze. If businesses can’t make sense of their operational data, it will result in rash decisions and potential loss of business and opportunities. AI algorithms can sift through the data to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies. It can provide business leaders with data driven insights that can lead to better growth, enhanced customer experience, and value creation.
ML algorithms can help machines identify equipment that is at risk of failure, potentially saving organizations a lot of money. Deep leaning and predictive maintenance can help unlock new ways to schedule maintenance without losing productive hours and without endangering any employee.
Artificial intelligence can help IoT devices make decisions autonomously, without human intervention, paving the way for true automation.
In Tesla’s self-driving cars, AI algorithms can interpret the data collected from sensors and cameras to make decisions on when to speed up, slow down, or change lanes making self driving cars are a reality in 2023. Similarly, in a smart home, AI can detect when the homeowner is away and adjust the home's temperature, lighting, and security systems accordingly.
The potential for AI and Internet of Things to come together is unlimited and going forward, this will certainly be the future.
To conclude, IoT and AI can work together to create innovative and powerful applications that can revolutionize different industries. The use of AI algorithms can help IoT devices learn, analyze data, and make decisions autonomously. Moreover, the collaboration of IoT and AI/ML has the potential to create smarter and more efficient systems, leading to better outcomes and improved quality of life.