Decoding AI: How is AI used in everyday life

I’m Bria, a tech enthusiast and go-to expert for all things gaming and gadgetry. Bringing over a decade of tech troubleshooting and passion for the latest gadgets to guide you through your tech queries.

If you’ve recently opened a social media or internet search app, you’ve probably noticed artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots or similar features.

Even big companies like Google® have AI-generated answers splashed across their search results pages, often as the first thing you see before reaching your intended website. Similarly, other companies are catching the AI wave, with Apple® acquiring OpenAI® and its breakthrough product, ChatGPT®, aiming to incorporate this technology into their future device lineups.

With its rapid expansion, many people are left wondering about machine learning's workings, applications, and safety.

How does AI work?

AI technology is more than those photos that look more uncanny than realistic. At its core, artificial intelligence involves creating algorithms that allow computers to learn from vast amounts of data, analyzing and interpreting information to make informed decisions or predictions—in the same way you would enter a question into a search engine and skim the results until you find the best one.

Is AI dangerous?

While AI brings many benefits, it also raises concerns such as privacy issues, job displacement, and the ethical implications of autonomous systems. The potential danger of AI depends largely on how it is developed, used, and regulated. All of which can also be said of the internet, but here we are.

Issues like algorithmic bias, control over autonomous systems, and cybersecurity are valid concerns. However, with stringent safety protocols and ethical guidelines, the risks associated with AI can be significantly minimized.

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How can you use AI for everyday tasks?

You might have heard the stories of ultra-powerful AI robots that could rival Skynet and compute numbers that outpace the best number-loving engineer. So, how could average people use AI for their everyday tasks?

Well, we mentioned chatbots and internet search engines because that’s where you’re most likely to encounter them daily. Artificial intelligence might even have helped you find your new favorite show or band by learning what you liked and providing similar options.

Examples of AI in everyday life

Artificial intelligence can be seamlessly woven into many people's daily routines, often without them even noticing. Making it the opposite of the digital boogeyman. Here are some common tasks where AI frequently plays a role:

1. AI-powered personal assistants. AI powers virtual assistants like Siri®, Alexa™, and Google Assistant™, helping with tasks such as setting alarms, reminding you of appointments, answering questions, and controlling smart home devices.
2. Content recommendations. Streaming services like Netflix® and Spotify® use AI to analyze your viewing or listening habits, recommending movies, shows, and music based on your preferences.
3. Navigation. Apps like Google Maps® and Waze® use AI to analyze real-time traffic data, suggesting the quickest routes to destinations and providing updates on congestion or accidents.
4. Customer service. Many websites use AI-powered chatbots to offer instant customer service, answering common questions and guiding users through troubleshooting steps.
5. Email filtering and organization. Email services use AI to filter out spam and categorize incoming messages into categorized folders, helping users manage their inboxes more efficiently.
6. Social media. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram use AI to personalize what you see in your feed, including ads, based on your interactions, likes, and connections.
7. Online shopping. Online retailers utilize AI to suggest products you might like based on your search and purchase history, enhancing the shopping experience.
8. Security and surveillance. Home security systems use AI to distinguish between ordinary movements and potential threats, like unauthorized entry or heavy wind on an upstairs window, notifying you only when necessary.

You can also use AI to enhance your creative work, like writing or recreating images. Just be mindful of plagiarism and the odd thing it does when creating fingers for generative artwork.

Even students can use it to help give their presentation slides a little more pizzazz or transcribe the class lecture by listening, knowing you aren't in danger of missing something that’ll most likely be on the next exam.

How does AI help us at home?

You’re probably familiar with smart speakers like Amazon Echo®, Google Home®, and Apple HomePod® that use AI to respond to voice commands, but they can do so much more at home (like clean your floors).

Did you know some smart fridges use AI to help reduce food waste and keep food fresh? For example, Samsung® smart fridges with AI Family Hub+ use AI to recognize and label the different kinds of food inside them. Some of these fridges track inventory, suggest recipes based on what's inside, and alert you when you’re running low on certain items. Some can even make shopping lists or place orders for you.

AI-enabled ovens monitor the cooking process, adjust temperatures and cooking times based on the dish, and suggest recipes. Some are equipped with cameras and can stream the cooking process to your phone, making adjustments—when your short ribs are starting to look more burnt than braised—based on visual cues.

AI-enabled devices like the Google Nest™ Learning Thermostat adapt to your routines for optimal home temperature control. Interested in securing your home? You can add an AI security camera, which enhances home safety by recognizing faces and sending alerts for unusual activities directly to your smartphone.

AI-powered laptops

This new wave of technology has existed long enough for reputable programs and computer manufacturers to create machines to utilize AI to its fullest potential. AI enhances your laptop experience by adapting to your lifestyle, optimizing performance, and providing advanced features such as voice and facial recognition for seamless logins and improved camera interactions. Whether you're in a Zoom meeting or live streaming, AI makes sure that you maintain eye contact with the camera, subtly adjusting your image even when you're reaching for a snack, making your online interactions smoother and more engaging.

These innovations are making laptops not just tools, but smart companions. While AI technology might not replace your current gaming laptop—yet—you can experience it through subscription services like Microsoft® CoPilot®.

Understanding AI's capabilities and limitations is essential as we increasingly weave this technology into our daily lives. By staying informed and proactive, we can use AI to streamline and improve our everyday tasks and address complex challenges across various industries.