Artificial Intelligence is already all around us in our daily lives and before exploring the business and tourism-specific applications in the following chapters, it is worth first considering its wider use in society, as this is also driving the adoption of AI and global discussion on AI risks and governance.
AI has fantastic potential and can already be used in a very wide array of applications today – from screening for cancers, to AI powered hotel check in robots. AI is also already being used by many of us every day, without ever realising it. For example in email spam filters, the predictive text function on smartphones, or to provide personalised recommendations in food delivery and movie streaming apps.
The possibilities of AI are almost limitless. But three transformational future uses for everyday life are often cited AI for autonomous transport, AI in education and AI in the home.
1. AI for Autonomous Driving: In the future, AI in the transport sector could revolutionise how we move between places, with AI essential for driverless vehicles. Autonomous taxis (or Robotaxis) are already operational in certain cities of the U.S. and China, with the vehicle ‘AI brain’ taking data from the car’s sensors to detect and recognise objects like other cars, traffic lights or pedestrians. This data is then used to make decisions in real-time, such as when to brake, accelerate and steer. As these AI systems gain more experience on the road and collect more data, they use machine learning algorithms to improve their driving skills and get smarter in how to handle all kinds of driving scenarios safely.
2. AI in Education: Sophisticated AI chatbots have already shown that they can answer exam questions and pass some of the world’s most demanding tests, including law bar exams 2, university MBA courses and medical doctor exams, in some cases with higher average scores than humans. Many students and school children are already using AI tools today to assist with their homework and will grow up with access to the power of AI at their fingertips. Universities and schools around the world are currently developing guidance and guardrails on how AI should be used in the educational sector, but it's great power could also enable AI to provide more personalised educational experiences, with AI tutoring systems able to adapt and cater for individual needs and a student’s specific learning pace.
3. AI in the Home: AI is already in our homes and in our everyday lives, from AI-powered smart speakers, lighting, temperature controls and security systems, to AI-powered apps on our phones. AI-driven smart home systems are increasingly popular and, in the future, could evolve to provide even greater comfort, convenience and efficiency, with advanced AI algorithms learning from residents’ habits to optimise energy usage.
Robots in the home to help with household chores have been science fiction for many years. But today AI-powered ‘virtual companion’ apps allow people living alone to have human-like conversations with virtual humans on their phone. In Sweden, where a significant proportion of the population lives alone, energy provider Stockholm Exergi and Accenture paired voice assistant speakers with AI and asked elderly Stockholm residents to recount their life stories in a project called Memory Lane 5. The AI-powered speaker could ask context specific questions to the person it was listening to, which would drive meaningful conversations and tackle loneliness. Many extraordinary stories have now been kept and placed online for future generations to listen to.
These examples and many other potential applications of AI could drive a revolution in society – much like the internet did from the 1990’s – with AI having the potential to touch every area of society and transform how we
live, learn and communicate. But AI’s impact goes far beyond social changes, as AI can also help tackle some of the world’s greatest problems, from climate change to infectious diseases, through advanced simulations and predictions. There is therefore tremendous potential for AI to significantly benefit humanity.
Artificial Intelligence is already all around us in our daily lives and before exploring the business and tourism-specific applications in the following chapters, it is worth first considering its wider use in society, as this is also driving the adoption of AI and global discussion on AI risks and governance.
AI has fantastic potential and can already be used in a very wide array of applications today – from screening for cancers, to AI powered hotel check in robots. AI is also already being used by many of us every day, without ever realising it. For example in email spam filters, the predictive text function on smartphones, or to provide personalised recommendations in food delivery and movie streaming apps.
The possibilities of AI are almost limitless. But three transformational future uses for everyday life are often cited AI for autonomous transport, AI in education and AI in the home.
1. AI for Autonomous Driving: In the future, AI in the transport sector could revolutionise how we move between places, with AI essential for driverless vehicles. Autonomous taxis (or Robotaxis) are already operational in certain cities of the U.S. and China, with the vehicle ‘AI brain’ taking data from the car’s sensors to detect and recognise objects like other cars, traffic lights or pedestrians. This data is then used to make decisions in real-time, such as when to brake, accelerate and steer. As these AI systems gain more experience on the road and collect more data, they use machine learning algorithms to improve their driving skills and get smarter in how to handle all kinds of driving scenarios safely.
2. AI in Education: Sophisticated AI chatbots have already shown that they can answer exam questions and pass some of the world’s most demanding tests, including law bar exams 2, university MBA courses and medical doctor exams, in some cases with higher average scores than humans. Many students and school children are already using AI tools today to assist with their homework and will grow up with access to the power of AI at their fingertips. Universities and schools around the world are currently developing guidance and guardrails on how AI should be used in the educational sector, but it's great power could also enable AI to provide more personalised educational experiences, with AI tutoring systems able to adapt and cater for individual needs and a student’s specific learning pace.
3. AI in the Home: AI is already in our homes and in our everyday lives, from AI-powered smart speakers, lighting, temperature controls and security systems, to AI-powered apps on our phones. AI-driven smart home systems are increasingly popular and, in the future, could evolve to provide even greater comfort, convenience and efficiency, with advanced AI algorithms learning from residents’ habits to optimise energy usage.
Robots in the home to help with household chores have been science fiction for many years. But today AI-powered ‘virtual companion’ apps allow people living alone to have human-like conversations with virtual humans on their phone. In Sweden, where a significant proportion of the population lives alone, energy provider Stockholm Exergi and Accenture paired voice assistant speakers with AI and asked elderly Stockholm residents to recount their life stories in a project called Memory Lane 5. The AI-powered speaker could ask context specific questions to the person it was listening to, which would drive meaningful conversations and tackle loneliness. Many extraordinary stories have now been kept and placed online for future generations to listen to.
These examples and many other potential applications of AI could drive a revolution in society – much like the internet did from the 1990’s – with AI having the potential to touch every area of society and transform how we
live, learn and communicate. But AI’s impact goes far beyond social changes, as AI can also help tackle some of the world’s greatest problems, from climate change to infectious diseases, through advanced simulations and predictions. There is therefore tremendous potential for AI to significantly benefit humanity.
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