AI trends for 2019

Artificial Intelligence is more popular than ever. Chatbots are being set up, robots are being worked on and systems are getting smarter. A bright future awaits us in this area in 2019. In this blog we discuss a few trends.

From data analytics, to machine learning, to AI

'Data analytics', 'machine learning' and 'AI' are terms that are very similar: it has something to do with data and its artificial use. Yet there are differences. When using Artificial Intelligence, work is done in steps.

Data analytics is only the elaboration of relevant insights from data. This allows you to make faster and better decisions, also at a strategic level. Algorithms can be used to build models to better map the future. This brings us almost to the last step: Artificial Intelligence.

Machine Learning is about the ability of a computer system to learn from its environment and develop itself without any form of programming. Machine Learning focuses on learning from the data offered.

Artificial Intelligence goes a step further. This is a term we assign to everything from robots to text analysis. Organizations mainly use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to automate decision processes. This takes a lot of work off your hands.

Search engines, such as Google, are an example of Artificial Intelligence.

The difference between strong and weak AI

In artificial intelligence (AI), we make a distinction between 'strong AI' and 'weak AI'. Although 'strong' and 'weak' suggest that there is a preference, this is not the case. They can each be used for their own purpose.

Strong AI is mainly used in research related to creating a computer or software that can actually solve problems on its own. In other words: as if the system has self-awareness. A computer would almost think like a human being.

Weak AI is mainly concerned with research in limited areas. These appear to be intelligent areas, but they are not really. This may still sound vague. To make it more concrete, we give an example: search engines and expert systems. Good to know: strong and weak AI can be used interchangeably and are quite similar.

Increase in use: diversity

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere. It can be used for various purposes. Think of Google, which can use Google Maps to keep track of exactly how fast traffic is moving and thus explain to users which routes are the fastest to get to work.

According to Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, an absolute breakthrough can be predicted in 2019. According to the director, completely self-driving cars will be on the road in the coming year. He thinks it's "a matter of a year, not a decade." Researchers at Stanford expect self-driving cars to be produced in large numbers as early as 2021.

Could we use AI for everyday problems in the office? Could we have emails answered automatically? In 2016, something like a 'smart reply' was introduced. Google worked on it with 'Allo', an instant messaging app. With this function it would be possible to send short answers, with a choice of three pre-programmed answers. These answers were shown based on the content of the message.

Also interesting is the arrival of AI chatbots. It will soon be possible to have daily tasks performed by a chatbot. We simply start a conversation on our favorite social network and the robot gets to work right away.

Making battles makes robots smarter (Photo: Humanrobo, Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported | Wikimedia Commons).

improve AI

Of course it can always be better. The beauty of artificial intelligence is that it is always open to learn more. This year saw a breakthrough that will still be applicable next year: dueling neural networks. This improves AI by allowing robots, based on AI systems, to fight each other. This is done through ultra-realistic pictures and sounds.

This is so important because it requires some kind of fantasy from the systems. This makes AI less dependent on humans. On the other hand, it has risks: this makes it very easy to commit digital fraud. Google Brain, DeepMind and Nvidia, among others, are already holding artificial intelligence battles.

Artificial Intelligence can take care of many HR tasks.

Artificial influencing: impact of AI on HR

AI has an impact on Human Resources. Employees can be treated better, evaluations can be improved and the work can also be made more enjoyable.

More focus on employees

Employee engagement is one of the most important areas of Human Resources. Artificial Intelligence can play a major role in this. You could, for example, create better work calendars that take the employee into account. As a result, morale remains high: the employee feels valued.

New role models

In the coming year a lot of attention will be paid to new role models. When hiring new employees, an AI bot can first do an in-depth investigation of challenges and rewards for the candidate. As a result, the candidate always ends up in a role that suits him or her. Some studies even suggest that AI recruitment process can take over.

Improving evaluations

HR professionals do it all day long: keep progress reports and record an employee's performance. A lot of data comes from this, which can sometimes get complicated. This is where AI can come in handy.

This rather tedious task can be taken over by a system that makes an analysis based on cognitive and analytical factors. These factors have been developed and prepared in advance, based on questions and answers.

Making work more fun

You would almost forget, but work can also be fun. Make a workplace challenging for employees by engaging in 'gamification'. This is where AI comes in handy. Use it to prepare tasks as a kind of game and prepare the company for learning through play. We've playfully discovered everything we've ever learned in life, so why not extend that to corporate environments?