Artificial Intelligence, a path to new challenges

When you think of technology, what comes to your mind? Probably something that has Artificial Intelligence, like a robot, screens with graphics and data, or even apps on your phone.

Even if you don’t realize it, AI is present every day in your life. Solutions developed from Artificial Intelligence make people’s lives easier, making tasks that were previously repetitive and time-consuming, more automated and simple.

This technology is so common that nowadays many people are studying to work as an AI professional. And although it is an area considered difficult due to its base with mathematics, logic and programming, if you like this type of subject it is interesting to study about Artificial Intelligence to get a great professional opportunity in the future.

Thinking about the importance of AI in people’s lives, in this article you will understand what it is and how Artificial Intelligence and its different types work. In addition, you will realize how having an AI application in people’s daily lives and also in industries is increasingly common. And finally, you will understand how to enter this very promising area, if that is your professional desire.

What is Artificial Intelligence and how does it work?

Since the 1950s, scientists and entrepreneurs have started looking for a way to develop machines capable of mimicking human intelligence and behavior. It is from this objective of the past that the fear of being replaced by machines was born. People were afraid of it in the past and continue to be afraid of it today.

Today, on the other hand, we know that Artificial Intelligence is used for many other uses. One example is when you talk to a virtual assistant in an online store when you activate voice searches on your cell phone or need to enable some transaction in apps using facial recognition.

In addition, in industries, many equipment use AI to interpret data and learn patterns from it. Afterwards, they are even able to improve the system so that better analysis, reporting, and identification of trends are performed.

But the development of Artificial Intelligence has not happened in a linear way since the 1950s. In fact, between 1960 and 1990, several projects and dreams of researchers had to be put on hold because there was not enough technology to put them into practice.

However, after this period of ups and downs, AI began to have more and more applications and investments. Engineers and data scientists began to work more and more focused on developing algorithms, codes, and complex structures to make Artificial Intelligence grow more and more.

Understand what is Machine Learning and Deep Learning in AI

When we say that machines are learning from the activities they perform, we are talking about Machine Learning. This application of AI is used for computers to develop to the point of having the autonomy to make decisions with minimal human participation.

This learning happens when the machine has contact with a lot of data and can identify a pattern among them. These data go from simple information and become a source of knowledge for the systems. As a result, the machines are able to suggest improvements, always based on what has been collected previously.

Do you know that list of recommended movies from Netflix? Or a Spotify playlist that was designed especially for you. Or maybe even purchase recommendations from a store based on your latest choices and filters.

All of this is possible today because Machine Learning exists. More and more companies see benefits from this type of AI application, as they are able to get closer to customers even without having to make an effort to do so.

In addition to Machine Learning and its applications, we also have Deep Learning. In order to make machines capable of thinking, Machine Learning focuses on how to do it without having to be programmed for the task.

But Deep Learning goes beyond the scope of Machine Learning and creates more complex hierarchical models that really seek to simulate how humans learn.

Deep Learning is also the area of ​​Artificial Intelligence used so that speech recognition exists, and also simultaneous translations in videos, for example.

There are many other uses of AI in everyday life and industrial operations. Therefore, below, check out the 10 most common AI applications, 3 of them in industry and companies, and another 7 in the daily life of the general population.

10 most common AI applications

To start the most common AI applications, it is possible to mention 3 cases where Artificial Intelligence is used by companies and industry.

3 AI applications in companies and industries

1. Chatbots for customer service

Chatbots have revolutionized the way companies do customer service. If before it took several minutes or even hours to talk to a client, today many basic problems can be solved by the Artificial Intelligence of chatbots.

If at any time an unexpected or very complex question is asked and the robot is unable to continue the service, the customer enters the queue to talk to a human and continue solving their problems.

The good news is that the percentage of cases in which this happens is not very high, which is why this technology is so worth it.

Some basic activities that have been automated this way:

• Customer registration;
• Consultation of automated information such as credit card statements, bank account details, product prices, exchange or refund policies, service hours, etc.;
• Reduced number of calls;
• Reduced response time and greater customer satisfaction with service.

2. HR Departments

Even if they work with people development, the human resources department of the company you work for probably uses some application of AI in their day-to-day operations.

A practical example is the performance evaluation of employees. In the past, it was necessary to evaluate various numbers, results, and employee achievements to say whether or not they were achieving their goals.

Today, with software that analyzes this information in an instant, it is much easier to have an overview of the employee. Furthermore, when someone registers information in the system, there is no risk of forgetting or incomplete information.

As a result, managers are able to make decisions faster and based on reliable data.

3. Industrial predictive maintenance

An industry normally uses a series of equipment that can have sensors and task automation. Thus, this technology is able to assess the need for parts replacement or fine adjustments before problems occur.

In a continuous production process, when an unexpected stop happens, a lot of time and consequently productivity is lost. That’s because it is difficult to identify the problem that happened, which part should be replaced, or adjustments that should be made.

Also, when it is possible to identify how to fix the equipment, it may be necessary to wait for a specific part to be purchased and delivered. Or even the need to schedule a technical visit with the supplier.

But with the use of AI, a small heat sensor, for example, may be able to identify that the internal temperature of the machine is different and ring an alert. This will be evaluated by the machine operator and if necessary a predictive action will be taken.

Finally, this is a great advantage for scheduled maintenance. Because even if there is AI in the machine, still some preventive maintenance procedures must be carried out.

This AI application is useful in this regard because the machine itself will be able to inform the ideal time to carry out maintenance without hampering the progress of the production.

7 AI applications in everyday life

Now that it has been possible to understand important applications of Artificial Intelligence in companies and industry, it is time to address the most frequent uses of AI in people’s daily lives.

1. Google 

Google is a company with several products, and in all of them, Artificial Intelligence is used, so much that it is considered an AI-first company. Some Google features that use AI the most are:

• Google Chrome searches;
• Storage of photos and videos by Google Photos;
• Sending emails via Gmail;
• YouTube video search;
• Travel routes by Google Maps.

Thinking about a practical example on Google Photos, you can see that the AI ​​of this system can recognize images stored there. If you search for keywords like “pets”, “parks” and “hugs”, the system will find the related images for you.

In addition, Google Photos identifies faces and groups all your photos with someone else for you to access.

Another example is YouTube. Have you ever noticed that whenever you watch a video or music video, new similar content is recommended?

This is because the system is able to understand what you like to watch the most and recommend new similar content so that you continue to be entertained on the platform. All this is because Artificial Intelligence is being used.

2. Electronic Commerce (e-commerce)

In the world of online sales, Artificial Intelligence is able to help leverage results and analyze in detail what happens on sales pages.

As mentioned above with YouTube, online stores also use the AI ​​recommendation application. But now we are talking about recommending products or services offered by that e-commerce.

Each consumer receives individual recommendations, considering their search history and also completed purchases. With this action, the chances of a new purchase grow, after all, they are products and services that the customer identifies with.

In addition to this general application to e-commerce, large companies in this sector such as Amazon and eBay go even further.

These companies provide image and voice searches. So if you don’t know the name of a piece of clothing but you have a reference in an image, you can attach that the search engine will find similar options for you.

Likewise, if you are lazy or can’t type the product you are looking for for whatever reason, you can use the voice search system and the AI ​​will understand your order and show you the results.

3. Home Automation

Home automation is becoming more and more common, but as the technology is still expensive, they are not accessible to everyone. Although many families continue to dream of having robots around the house helping with cleaning, organizing the house, doing the shopping, and even taking care of the children, this is not the reality of smart homes.

To consider you have a smart home, think about everything that can be automated:

• Opening and closing doors, windows, and curtains;
• Turn the lights on and off;
• Activate and deactivate household appliances;
• Have a security system controlled by the cell phone;
• Receive information about appointments or news through an assistant;
• Among others.

This market is expanding in Brazil and around the world, and new solutions are always emerging to make consumers’ homes smarter. If this is a goal for you, always follow the news that is being released.

4. Facial Recognition

Originally, facial recognition systems were developed to identify people through images or videos. However, currently, facial recognition technology is widely used to unlock cell phones or access banking applications, for example.

Through Artificial Intelligence, this type of system can identify the presence of faces, in addition to indicating the attributes that this face presents. So when you register your face to unlock your cell phone screen, even putting on or taking off your glasses can affect the recognition.

Other things that this AI application is able to do are: identify the mood of the analyzed person, identify if the eyes are open or closed, what is the hair color, and the face geometry.

But in addition to cell phone use, facial recognition is also used to recognize famous people at events, and to help identify people who are victims of human trafficking.

5. Surveillance cameras

People’s safety is a very delicate issue, after all, it is important that governments always work to offer safe environments and streets to the population. In practice, to ensure this, Artificial Intelligence can help.

Modern surveillance systems are positioned at strategic points in the city and have several functions. In addition to filming what is happening on the streets (for public safety purposes), the cameras can also identify individuals fleeing justice, for example.

This happens with facial recognition and in-depth analysis of various characteristics of the person-of-interest. Then an alert can be issued for police work to continue from that identification.

6. Financial market

If you have studied a little about the stock market and its fluctuations, you know that it is humanly impossible to follow everything that happens at all times in this sector. Because of that, an important application of AI is to automate analysis and observations through software and applications.

Thus, better and faster decisions can be made, in addition to being able to identify trends in numbers that until that moment were getting lost.

7. Navigation apps

Selecting your destination on a trip or driving around the city makes life a lot easier for anyone. If in the past it was necessary to memorize the route, ask for directions on the street, and probably get lost sometimes, today all this is solved with navigation apps.

This technology is able to analyze the network of mobile devices, data provided by satellites, and interpret traffic data in real-time.

This is how you get varied options of routes to use so that you can get to the place you want as quickly as possible.

As you can see, there are numerous opportunities to be developed using Artificial Intelligence.

And for that to happen, more and more qualified professionals need to enter the job market. Being an AI professional, like a Data Scientist, for example, can be a good option for those who like math, logic, and technology.

The AI ​​job market in Brazil

Working with AI in Brazil and around the world is a great opportunity, taking into consideration that since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, around 48% of Brazilian companies have started to use some type of Artificial Intelligence in their operations.

In addition, according to a study by Stanford University in the United States, Brazil is the country that hires AI specialists the most in the world.

Therefore, if this is your professional goal, it’s important you know that in addition to working in Brazil, it is possible to find good job opportunities in other countries. Whether to work remotely or even live in a new country.

What are the main specifications of an AI professional

Someone who wants to work with AI should be interested in subjects such as automation, robotics, programming, algorithms, and software programming, and engineering.

And to be able to study and stand out in the area it is essential to have knowledge of mathematics, technology, logic, and engineering.

Of course, this area is challenging and considered difficult by many people, but if you like these subjects and want to be well paid for your work, the area of ​​Artificial Intelligence can be a good option.

You can start by studying general subjects like programming, math, programming languages ​​like python, C or CC++, algebra, big data, and machine learning.

Another possibility is to follow the syllabus of an AI-focused specialization course. These exist in several universities in Brazil and in the world, and when they are courses from serious institutions you can trust them.

But it is important to always check the topics covered before starting an AI course. And compare if the skills you will develop with the course are really useful and demanded by companies with open job vacancies in the area.

After all, it’s no use having the interest, studying, and when you arrive for a job interview you realize that you could have put dedication into other areas within the great sector that is technology.

What are the Job titles and salaries of an AI professional

There is a wide range of positions for those who want to work with Artificial Intelligence, the most common ones are presented below. So, you can already have an idea of ​​the terms and salaries paid to an AI professional.

Data architect

The average salary is BRL 9,350 per month.

Machine Learning Scientist and Machine Learning Engineer

The average salary is BRL 7,338 per month.

Data scientist

The average salary is BRL 6,769.46 per month.

Software developer and systems developer

The average salary is BRL 4,436 per month.

Although the professions above are quite common, the truth is that professionals from any field can specialize in AI to add value to the work they already do today.

After all, technology will only develop more and more, and the more up-to-date the professional is, the greater the chances of getting a good position in the job market.

Learn about IndustriALL and its work with Artificial Intelligence

IndustriALL is a startup company that aims to boost the performance of industries through Artificial Intelligence and Systems Integration.

These are two pillars of Industry 4.0, which is indispensable for companies to remain competitive in the market today.

It is through Artificial Intelligence and Systems Integration solutions that it is possible to improve products and services, understand how problems are affecting results, and increase productivity.

IndustriALL recognizes the importance of a data-driven culture and works with cutting-edge technology to understand, organize, and activate data.

Data today is a great asset that industries and companies in general have. Based on this type of information, IndustriALL offers support so that decision-making is more assertive, risks are reduced, productivity increases, and production losses are not so common anymore.