Speaking of the latest tech making a splash in the business
and IT worlds, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
are frequently top the list. And it's easy to see why they mesh so well
together.
With data being the lifeblood of AI, the growing stream
generated by connected devices (estimated at a staggering 80 zettabytes by 2025) provides the fuel for AI applications
to advance. Individually, AI and IoT are impressive, but when brought together,
they can multiply the benefits companies already reap from investments in these
technologies.
Outperforming traditional business intelligence tools, AI's
ability to analyze data from the IoT is propelling its adoption, with Gartner
predicting a jump from 10% to 47% of AI-powered IoT projects by 2027. If you’re as excited
about AI development
as me, let’s examine AI and IoT’s potential to reshape industries.
AI and IoT = AIoT: A Brief Overview
AI and IoT are two of the most transformative technologies of
our time. AI aims to create intelligent machines that can learn and
problem-solve, while IoT connects everyday objects to a network, generating
vast amounts of data. Due to the need to make sense of all that information,
the synergy between AI and IoT was inevitable, and now we're witnessing the
next chapter: AIoT.
So, AIoT, or Artificial Intelligence of Things, blends the
AI’s analytical capabilities and IoT
connectivity technology to create self-operating systems. In practice, it
means that IoT devices powered by AI can not only collect information but
analyze it and take action on the spot. In this duo, AI is the brain that
interprets data and makes decisions, and IoT is the eyes and ears.
For AIoT to work effectively and without human intervention,
it requires the integration of software, smart devices, and platforms. Here’s
how it works:
- Sensors
and IoT devices gather information from their surroundings.
- AI
learns the data, searches for patterns, and figures out the context behind
the request.
- AIoT
makes a decision and instructs devices on the actions to take.
- AIoT-driven
devices get smarter proportionally to the data volume they receive. And
this is the moment where the actual connection between AI and IoT takes
place. That’s when AI teaches devices to better distinguish and react to
the information and requests they receive.
Why Use AI for IoT
The IBM Institute's interviews of the top executives
revealed that 19% prioritize investments in AI and IoT integration due to the
unique benefits this combination brings. So, let’s find out what are those
advantages.
Next-level Data Processing
Imagine having a mountain of gold but lacking the tools to
refine it. That's the challenge with the increasing data streams from IoT
devices. AIoT is the solution that can analyze those petabytes of information
gathered by devices with ease. The speed at which AI can turn plenty of data
into practical findings is essential today.
For example, in manufacturing, long delays in response can
throw off the whole day's work and cost a pretty penny. A network of AIoT
sensors spread throughout a manufacturing facility can monitor machinery for
signs of wear or failure. Because this information is processed instantly, IoT
solutions can respond faster to new events and changes without interrupting
production.
Productivity and Efficiency Gains
Well, AI’s main benefit is the automation of those
repetitive tasks that consume precious work hours. With AI-driven IoT
architecture, you can automate inventory, routing, warehouse management,
and the list goes on while your human talent can shift to more business-critical
tasks.
What’s more, autonomous AIoT solutions can find
inefficiencies in your operations to fix. Excessive energy consumption that
influences your utility bill or supply chain logistics can be improved for
quicker deliveries and lower emissions.
Predictive Maintenance
Imagine knowing exactly when your equipment needs
maintenance. AIoT makes it possible. Sensors collect data, feeding into
AI systems that predict potential failures. This advanced predictive
maintenance prevents costly downtime, extends equipment life, and optimizes
resources. Every industry that heavily relies on complex machinery will see
impressive results, and in energy, Deloitte predicts the reduction of
maintenance costs by 5-10% thanks to energy
software solutions powered by AIoT.
Personalized User Experiences
Amazon is at the top of the game when it comes to making
shopping personalized. Customers admire their AI-driven product recommendations
that anticipate their needs. Constantly improving in this direction, the
company started to use their smart speaker, Alexa learn more about what their
customers like and offer even more relevant products. Yet, here is critical not
to step over the line regarding data privacy.
How AI and IoT Reshape Different Industries
While the most obvious and well-known AI in IoT applications
is about smart household devices (smart homes, thermostats, fridges, etc), I
analyzed the AIoT’s impact on different sectors used in broader ways.
Healthcare
Most experts agree that online health monitoring and
prevention is the future of healthcare. Now, doctors don't even need to be in
the same zip code as their patients to keep an eye on their health, thanks to IoT in healthcare
devices and wearables. It's very handy for keeping up with a patient's health
history.
IoT and AI also make it easier for doctors to make diagnoses
and catch illnesses early. Already, AI surpasses specialists in identifying
cancer from scans. And perhaps most impressively, AIoT can use the health
information from fitness trackers to predict disease risks and progression.
Smart city
Smart cities stand to gain a lot from blending AI with IoT.
Sensors, lights, and other tech solutions driven by AI can make cities safer,
greener, and a better place to live. Here's how AIoT and machine learning could
change the game:
- Improve
traffic flow by tweaking traffic lights to cut down on jams
- Better
public safety thanks to AI monitoring systems and devices
- Enhance
urban planning
- Adjust
public transportation services based on citizens’ demands
- Save
power by using it only when and where it's needed
- Plan
for more efficient garbage pickup to keep the streets clean
Retail
More and more retail stores starting to use smart cameras
with computer vision and facial recognition to spot customers and collect some
information to improve shopper experiences. AI-driven IoT cameras can identify
customers' gender, age, and products they prefer and help retailers enhance the
shopping experience and develop more targeted ads. Amazon Go successfully uses
these technologies in their stores.
You can see weighty improvements in logistics and supply
chain management, as well. AI and IoT allow you to track goods movements,
predict supply chain issues, and optimize product flow among other things.
Manufacturing
Robotics, AI, and IoT are not new technologies in
manufacturing. Many factories have been using them to automate and accelerate
their processes. Take a chocolate factory for example, where they use Siemens'
AI to track the humidity, temperature, and equipment, while deep learning
models identify and fix anomalies. In this scenario, AIoT removes hardware
dependence, allowing factories to:
- Swiftly
address issues
- Streamline
operations
- Improve
worker safety
- Save
costs.
Automotive
The roads of tomorrow are paved with AIoT. The car industry
uses a number of AI and IoT applications for vehicle assembly and maintenance.
Today, car manufacturers can predict potential part failures before they happen
thanks to IoT collecting essential details on car health and AI analyzing that
data.
AI and IoT are also behind one of the exciting developments
- autonomous cars. They receive information from built-in sensors and cameras
to track road conditions, understand driver behavior, and decide the safest
speed to travel.
To Wrap Up
The future looks quite promising for AI and IoT, especially
when they work together, as we have seen. The IoT and AI blend will undoubtedly
continue to advance and soon become the most popular technology tool for
businesses. As with any technology, earlier adoption gives companies a
competitive edge over their peers.