AI trends for 2019

Artificial Intelligence is more popular than ever. Chatbots are being rigged up, robots are working hard and systems are getting smarter. We have a bright future ahead of 2019 in this area. In this blog we discuss a few trends.

From data analytics, to machine learning, to AI

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

Data analytics is only the elaboration of relevant insights of data. This allows you to make faster and better decisions, also at the strategic level. Using algorithms, models can be built to better map the future. With this we almost go to the last step: Artificial Intelligence.

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

Artificial Intelligence goes one 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 out of your hands.

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

The difference between strong and weak AI

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

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

Weak AI is mainly concerned with research in limited areas. These seem like intelligent areas, but they are not real. Maybe this sounds vague. To put it into practice, we give an example: search engines and expert systems. Good to know: strong and weak AI can be used interchangeably and look 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 how fast the 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 that self-driving cars will 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 'smart reply' was already introduced. Google worked on it with 'Allo', an instant messaging app. With this function it would become possible to send short answers, with a choice of three preprogrammed 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 started right away.

By making fights, robots become 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 great thing about artificial intelligence is that it always remains open to learn more. This year came a breakthrough that can still be applied 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 imagination from the systems. This makes AI less dependent on people. On the other hand, there are 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 many HR tasks off your hands.

Artificial influencing: impact of AI on HR

AI has an impact on Human Resources. It is better to deal with employees, to improve evaluations and to make work 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. For example, you could use it to create better work calendars, taking the employee into account. As a result, morality remains high: the employee feels valued.

New role models

In the coming year, much attention will be paid to new role models. When hiring new employees, an AI bot can first do an in-depth study 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 is the whole recruitment process can take over.

Improve evaluations

HR professionals do it all day long: keep track of progress reports and register employee performance. A lot of data comes from that, which can sometimes be complicated. This is where AI can come in handy.

This rather boring 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 the work more enjoyable

You would almost forget it, but working can also be fun. Make a workplace challenging for employees by focusing on 'gamification'. AI comes in handy here. Use it to prepare tasks as a kind of game and to prepare the company for playful learning. We have discovered in a playful way everything we have ever learned in life, so why don't we expand it further to business environments?