Real Life Examples of Artificial Intelligence

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Does artificial intelligence seem like something that is completely separate from your daily life and is only relevant for those working with robots on a daily basis? We get it; the use of artificial intelligence has grown exponentially over the past few years and is something that’s so ingrained in our daily life that we almost forget it’s there. After all, when we think of artificial intelligence, we think of ChatGPT or machine learning, and not simple things like spam filters in our inbox or Netflix’s recommendations. 

The reality is that artificial intelligence is surrounding us constantly in more ways than we can really count. We’ve selected some that you probably benefit from every single day, and some others that will have a big impact in the years to come.

But first, let’s explain what artificial intelligence is, its origins, and what we can expect from the future. 

What is Artificial Intelligence? A Beginner’s Guide

You might think that artificial intelligence is tough to understand, but it’s really not: it’s just the simulation of human intelligence by computers. This means that, with limitations, artificial intelligence machines are able to mimic human behaviors or intelligence to help automate tasks, make decisions, and analyze large amounts of data. It seems a bit dull, but artificial intelligence has expanded far past simple sifting through data and making decisions for companies; it’s something we all use every single day. 

Demis Hassabis, Co-Founder of DeepMind technology, is one of the professionals in the industry urging for caution as well as optimism. A leading figure in AI, Demis’ TED interview, How AI is Unlocking the Secrets of Nature and the Universe, delves into some of the incredible innovations happening on a global scale because of AI.

How does artificial intelligence work?

Artificial intelligence tools require special programming and development and don’t work with a specific programming language; some variation of each will be needed for a specific task. To actually be put into work, AI engineers feed the system with large amounts of data that it then takes and processes; only after that is it able to use what it’s learned to make informed decisions. 

For example, a chatbot on a store’s website is fed with information about return policies, shipping details, and contact information so that it’s able to free up customer service representatives and talk to customers. When programming the AI tool, the following four areas are highlighted:

What are the origins of artificial intelligence?

For ages, stories have been filled with tales about robots or devices that could think like humans, but the artificial intelligence that we know today was far from reality for quite a while. When artificial intelligence became a serious pursuit for scientists in the 1950s, computers were extremely expensive and certainly not something everyone had, independent research nearly impossible. Throughout the next few decades, various scientists and government agencies tried to encourage AI research, but it wasn’t until the end of the twentieth century that computers became skilled and widespread enough to take on such a challenge.

Today, artificial intelligence has absolutely skyrocketed over recent years and is an integral part of our daily lives. We know it might be hard to believe, but we truly mean it: artificial intelligence is everywhere.

So now you know everything about how AI works and where it came from. But you’re not here for that. You’re here because you want to know how AI impacts your everyday life, right? Let’s dive in…

Real Life Examples of Artificial Intelligence 

Artificial intelligence, in some form, is something with which we interact every single day. To help prove our point and show that artificial intelligence is only going to continue advancing and growing, we’ve collected eight of our favorite examples of artificial intelligence in real life. Let’s dive right in. 

Social Media: Keeping you scrolling

Has the thought, “is my phone listening to me?!” ever crossed your mind? If you’re a social media user, probably! And although you might think that it is in fact listening to you, there’s a much simpler reason: artificial intelligence.

Through artificial intelligence tools, websites can keep track of user behavior, suggesting content that they think you’d enjoy. Through these tools, you’re able to get a customized user experience that shows you ads, content, and material that’s similar to what you’ve interacted with in the past. For instance, Instagram uses AI to filter out spam and offensive comments, improving user experience. TikTok employs AI algorithms to analyze user behavior and preferences, curating personalized content feeds. 

Additionally, AI-powered chatbots enhance customer service by providing instant and around-the-clock support, making interactions smooth and satisfying. The use of AI in monitoring for inappropriate or harmful content ensures a safer, more welcoming environment for everyone. By harnessing the power of AI, social media platforms are becoming more responsive, inclusive, and engaging spaces.

Digital Assistants: Hey Siri!

One of AI’s biggest triumphs is taking basic human tasks, such as setting reminders or turning on/off lights, and automating them, freeing up a person’s time and making things just a little bit easier. While these seem simple enough, teaching your Google Home or Alexa to recognize your voice, speech patterns, and accent is quite the artificial intelligence feat and one that’s been developed over time.

Lots of online companies also use chatbots to free up their customer service agents and direct customers to the right space, providing details about order status, shipping and returns, and how to get in touch with the company.

Here’s a great breakdown by TechGig so, if you’re curious, you can find out how assistants like Siri work:

Maps and Navigation: Getting you home

Long gone are the days of printing out directions and bringing it with you in the car, hoping that traffic will be okay and you’ll arrive on time. Map applications such as those developed by Google and Apple provide you with not only directions, but real-time updates for traffic, public transportation, closed roads, and anything else of which you should be aware. 

The two biggest players in the maps app arena, Apple and Google, are continuing to develop their already game-changing tech with AI. Apple is planning to leverage its impressive Intelligence to create immersive experiences with generative AI. Google will integrate AI to simulate weather conditions to help you better plan your trip.

Rideshare apps like Lyft, Cabify, and Uber also use artificial intelligence to take your location, pair you with a nearby driver, and decide the price based on the time, length of the trip, and demand for drivers. 

Banking: Keeping your money safe

When was the last time you physically went to a bank to transfer money, get account information, or change your mailing address? You probably can’t remember and that’s because the digitization of financial services and inclusion of artificial intelligence has truly transformed the industry, making it much more convenient for users to use an app or website to handle their money in a completely safe and private manner. 

For example, ING uses AI-driven chatbots to offer personalized financial advice, while Santander employs machine learning algorithms to detect and prevent fraudulent activities. Meanwhile, HSBC leverages advanced analytics to predict market trends and drive smarter investment strategies. 

It’s a great example of how AI is improving your everyday life without you even realizing it!

Recommendations: Keeping you watching

Have you ever finished an amazing show on Netflix and immediately see a suggestion for yet another show you just know you’re going to love? Thanks to the content you interact with and searches you make, streaming services use artificial intelligence tools to suggest new shows for you. The technology behind it includes collaborative filtering, which compares your viewing habits with others who have similar tastes, and content-based filtering, which looks at the characteristics of what you've watched.

Online stores also use recommendation AI tools to look at your previous purchases and searches and provide suggestions based on what they think you’d buy. For example, if you buy the first book in a series on Amazon, you might get ads or suggestions for the next book in the series or new books that have similarities.

Facial Recognition: Never forget your password again! 

Facial recognition has completely transformed our phones, allowing us to access any app or unlock our phones without a passcode or fingerprint. Through both detecting that there is a face and then using artificial intelligence technology to recognize your specific facial features (which can now be done even through a mask!), you have a uniquely secure way to access your personal information.

This technology has expanded beyond just phones; airports and high-security institutions now use facial recognition to validate your identity quickly and efficiently. If you’re curious about how this technology works, check this out: The Evolution of Biometrics: Security and Identity in the Digital Age.

Writing: No more spelling mistakes

Thank God for spell check, right?! For those that grew up in the age of computers, spell check played an incredibly important role in underlining mistakes and showing us how a word should actually be spelled. But artificial intelligence tools have advanced over the years and now offer prediction options as you write, offering you suggestions based on the database of human speech they have. 

Just like you learned grammar and spelling in school, AI engineers and researchers work with machines to teach them rules so that they’re better equipped to assist you with your writing. And when it comes to suggestions, they predict what you want to say by reviewing and analyzing tons of data. 

Tools like JasperAI, Copy.ai, Grammarly, and Writesonic, help professionals across all industries to harness the power of the written word. Perhaps one of them even wrote this blog post for you, who knows!

Self-Driving Cars: An accessible way to move 

This may seem like something purely from the future, but autonomous vehicles are here. Imagine a world where everyone, regardless of age or physical ability, can enjoy the freedom of travel without the constraints of traditional driving. Companies like Tesla, Waymo, and Cruise are at the forefront of this innovation, using cutting-edge technology like sensors, cameras, and AI to navigate roads.

This may not be part of your day to day just yet. But this technology is making leaps and bounds, and it may not be long before we see more driverless cars on roads around the world. Check out this video from Unbox Therapy, showing you how it feels to ride in a Waymo driverless car:

AI in Daily Life: What’s Next?

These eight uses of artificial intelligence are just some of our favorites and ones we see all around us. But there are so many more out there and even more that are just around the corner. And the best part? As such a new and rapidly expanding field, the possibilities in the field of artificial intelligence are wide reaching.

Besides enjoying more efficient apps and being able to open your phone with nothing but your face, how can you harness the power of AI? The key is to stay open-minded and curious. Lifelong learning is going to be crucial for adopting this technology.

Perhaps you want to dive more into the ethical implications of AI, and understand the societal impact of new tech. Or you want to know how to harness the power of AI to make you a better leader.

If you’re just getting started, check out this interview with Ironhack CEO, Ariel Quinones, where we dive into everything you want to know about AI but are too afraid to ask!