How Artificial Intelligence will Boost the Internet of Things

Artificial Intelligence  

Could artificial intelligence hold the key to the success of the internet of things? Some experts think so. Here’s an interesting look at how AI and the IoT relate to one another. 

One of the most heavily hyped concepts of the decade, the Internet of Things promises to create a whole new world of convenience. Massive volumes of data will be created by interconnected devices and sensors, allowing a multitude of industries to grow and change with this new insight. Yet at the moment there are still several barriers between the present and an exciting interconnected future.

Relationship between AI and IoT

If you look at the capabilities of the Internet of Things from Nokia Networks or other providers currently working on it, it involves the movement of vast amounts of data. This data can be used in a variety of real life situations, predicting the flow of traffic in a city or assisting with logistics in agriculture. Eventually, with the use of sensors and cameras, new devices like self-driving cars will become a reality. Yet at the same time the sheer volume of data required to carry out these tasks is often beyond human analysis. This is why many industry experts believe that artificial intelligence will need to be able to step in and fill these gaps.

For the IoT to work on a widespread basis, big data analysis requires both speed and accuracy on a level beyond human capabilities. But with the assistance of AI technology, intelligent machines would be able to take vast quantities of data points and quickly sift through them to pull out the points that are the most relevant. With those points, real-time updates and decisions can then be made to facilitate the operation of the IoT.

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AI applications for IoT

There are a number of ways in which the two technologies could work together – equipped with new sensors, smart machines can gather a wider range of information. This can be used to give machines the ability to see with cameras and hear with sonic sensors. With more data to work with, AI systems can make increasingly accurate predictions based on an individual’s preferences, making machines smarter than ever. At the same time, AI applications can cull through mountains of data points to extract the bits that will be meaningful for users.

Fitness trackers are already one of the most popular types of IoT devices. The next step is that the data collected by fitness trackers will be shared with a health service. For example, if your heart rate was irregular, your doctor would receive an alert. Yet the system must be able to understand what is “irregular” in the first place, sifting through mountains of data to find any irregularities. This is where AI would step in, to analyse data from millions of users at a speed that could save lives.

The bottom line

There are still a number of issues that need to be worked out in both spheres of technology. For AI and IoT to work together in perfect synchronicity, issues with compatibility will need to be smoothed over. Security and privacy is a major issue for the Internet of Things, particularly with recent high-profile cyber-attacks in the public consciousness. Yet the trajectory of this future trend has already been put in motion. If billions of objects are connected in the next few years, it means that AI could be the viable support system that will allow this technology to soar.

By  33rd Square

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