Artificial Intelligence

Hey, Siri, what’s today’s weather?

Looks like it will be cloudy today.

Checking today’s weather is only one of the numerous tasks that I can do with Siri, a built-in, voice-controlled assistant for Apple users. I can also use Siri to facetime friends, message my family, play music, and do more things with my phone without having to touch the screen. With all the possible commands I can do, Siri has undoubtedly made my life more convenient. However, Siri is only one of the many examples of artificial intelligence (AI). Now, there exists self-driving cars, smart home systems, and many more developments. As AI continues to ease daily tasks, more businesses have begun to incorporate AI, and it is predicted to become a trend among companies this 2023.

Currently, some companies like Fujitsu and Walmart already have their security cameras equipped with AI. With this, the cameras can detect potential threats such as individuals placed on the watchlist of the company and shoplifters. More than security, AI surveillance in parking lots can provide data analytics, such as how many vehicles entered the parking lot, how long they stayed, and whether they paid the parking fee. Last 2020, 7-Eleven in Australia adopted AI in their cameras, and this has helped them receive accurate customer feedback. Other Australian stores like Kmart and Bunnings have also recently revealed that they use AI-equipped cameras to record the number of visits of an individual, a customer’s reaction to a price or signage, and their association with other shoppers. More stores are adopting AI in security cameras to provide them with data analytics. Hence, in 2023, AI-equipped surveillance cameras are predicted to become a trend.

Aside from utilizing facial recognition in surveillance cameras, facial recognition can also be used to unlock phones, make payments through mobile banking applications, and try on businesses’ make-up products or glasses. I personally use facial recognition in my mobile banking application, and I find it extremely convenient as I no longer need to input my security password to make payments. I have also used facial recognition in virtually trying on the glasses of Sunnies Studios Philippines. This was especially helpful for me during the pandemic as I needed new glasses but could not physically try on glasses in the stores. Last May 2022, Mastercard recently launched a new technology that allows consumers to show the palm of their hand or their face to authenticate their payment instead of swiping their card. Furthermore, a study conducted by Jupiter Research predicted that by 2023, mobile biometrics will authenticate $2 trillion in sales.

Although the development of AI can be beneficial, it also raises issues with unemployment and data privacy. AI speeds up production and can replace manpower. However, since AI still cannot totally think like a human, it will not totally replace human jobs. Furthermore, data privacy also becomes an issue with AI with its ability to identify individuals and store their data. With this, it has a high risk for companies to misuse AI by extracting and storing people’s data illegally.

Indeed, AI will continue to influence the business sector in 2023 and even in the years to come. With this, more startups will enter the AI industry and continue to bring convenience to us consumers. Hence, the information technology industry will most likely benefit most from the development of AI. Maybe, one day, we will even be able to ride in self-driving planes.

~ TAN, Cayenne

Source:

1. Artificial Intelligence Trends for business owners. Plat.AI. (2022, August 17). Retrieved from https://plat.ai/blog/ai-intelligence-trends-for-business-owners/

2. Browne, R. (2022, May 17). Mastercard launches tech that lets you pay with your face or hand in stores. CNBC. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/17/mastercard-launches-tech-that-lets-you-pay-with-your-face-or-hand.html

3. Crozier, R. (2020, June 22). 7-Eleven Australia deploys facial recognition on customer feedback tablets. iTnews. Retrieved from https://www.itnews.com.au/news/7-eleven-australia-deploys-facial-recognition-on-customer-feedback-tablets-549538

4. Mobile biometrics to authenticate $2 trillion of sales by 2023, driven by over 2,500% growth. Mobile Biometrics to Authenticate $2 Trillion of Sales by 2023. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.juniperresearch.com/press/mobile-biometrics-to-authenticate-2-tn-sales-2023

5. Pocket-lint. (2021, November 2). What is Siri and how does Siri work? Pocket. Retrieved from https://www.pocket-lint.com/apps/news/apple/112346-what-is-siri-apple-s-personal-voice-assistant-explained

6. Stores that use facial recognition for 'loss prevention'. what it might mean for you. UniSC. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.usc.edu.au/about/unisc-news/news-archive/2022/june/stores-that-use-facial-recognition-for-loss-prevention-what-it-might-mean-for-you