Is AI Going to Be Commonplace Soon?

AI has affected your life, as you may already be aware. And from here on out, its influence will only increase. A future where AI is widely used could change people’s lives. Imagine never having to worry about food spoiling or nutrients. Milk from you never spoils. Every food you consume is healthful. or being aware of just what to pack for a trip, taking into account the weather and the occasion.

Though it’s not quite here yet, the day may not be far off when a store recognizes you as soon as you walk in and begins to recommend items that are specifically targeted to you. For this reason, it’s critical to comprehend and remove the obstacles preventing the widespread use of AI.

The Hardware Challenge is the First.

Think of the smart refrigerator. While Samsung debuted this type of appliance in 2018, it is still more of a novelty. Grandview Research reports that in 2019, North America accounted for 31% of the worldwide “smart fridge” market, making it the region with the highest popularity. These aren’t touchscreen-equipped Star Trek type of devices, either; instead, their internal circuitry makes them “smart” by enabling greater efficiency and self-monitoring. It’s possible that the consumer is unaware of the appliance’s “smartness.”

Large appliances need to be changed more frequently than phones. Large products are typically replaced when needed by consumers, thus purchasing a new one only because it is marginally more efficient is less common than purchasing a new phone due to a little longer battery life.

Hardware updates are also not a simple procedure. Any fridge cannot simply have a Wi-Fi card installed in the hopes that it would transmit a service record to the nearby repair facility. The majority of the electronics we use on a daily basis are not designed to be modular or to be expanded significantly beyond their current state. Anyone who owns even a few smart lightbulbs will tell you that this is a significant barrier to integrating internet of things (IoT) devices. Hardware compatibility is essential, yet we’re still a ways off.

Nevertheless, in order to create the AI-powered life of the future, smart refrigerators and other smart hardware items are vital. Getting everyone on the same page will take some time, as some of us will embrace the future of AI-powered devices sooner than others. Early adopters will play a critical role in paving the path for widespread acceptance, assisting in the resolution of issues, and demonstrating that these products not only function but also improve people’s lives.

Privacy Is the Second Challenge.

If you’re anything like me, it seems strange to think that an AI could know what I want to eat. Customers are starting to realize that we are entering a time where the value of our personal data will increase. According to a 2019 survey, more than 60% of participants thought linked devices were “creepy,” which is likely to slow down the adoption of these gadgets.

Despite the fact that this may all seem overwhelming, there are some intriguing solutions that solve the problems. Furthermore, you probably already profit from this way of thinking without even recognizing it. We need to enter a room stocked with networking equipment in order to comprehend.

The majority of us have seen generic but sophisticated “data centers” in TV series and motion pictures, therefore we are familiar with server rooms.  Most customers are unaware that businesses don’t simply replace all of the hardware in their data centers at once. Similar to how you probably don’t purchase a new router every time you purchase a new laptop, data center components are occasionally changed out and may end up consisting of a patchwork of suppliers and services.

Network administrators used to be able to micromanage the separate components of their systems while unifying their control at some point in time. This calls for specialized software that can combine all the requirements from all the devices and regulate them as needed while hiding the specifics from managers.

Over time, data centers undergo upgrades that incorporate an increasing amount of privacy. Although we’re not quite to the point where we should put our complete trust in AI, in the coming years, most data centers should prioritize privacy.

The Final Difficulty: Price.

Nothing we’re talking about is inexpensive, as you may imagine. Currently available AI solutions can be too expensive. But that won’t always be the case.

Thirty years ago, a smartwatch’s processing power was comparable to that of a Toyota Corolla in size and cost. A $5 chip that is smarter than every equipment used in every NASA space mission prior to 2000 is now available. The price will decrease.

By adding software on top of current technology rather than waiting for specialized AI-specific chips, we are already advancing AI to its limits in more affordable ways. By connecting to “dumb” machines’ networks and electrical grids, we can add functionalities to them.

Going back to our non-smart refrigerator, what if you swapped out your old electrical box for a smart one that could identify your home’s refrigerator based on how much power it uses? Knowing the make and model would allow the smart power box to make decisions regarding the fridge’s contents based on that (although incomplete) knowledge. You may add sensors without spending much money by adding a counter-embedded scale and a smart kitchen camera.

The most advanced AI systems will eventually overcome all of these obstacles. They won’t need specialized chips, which would force customers to replace outdated hardware with new, in order to provide AI to the final consumer. In the end, ubiquitous AI depends on its availability when needed. They will be as inexpensive as air and private from the beginning. Are any of us paying any attention to the nearby Wi-Fi these days? No. We depend on it and use it. Soon, AI will be the same.