2022 will be a crucial year as we witness artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) continue to stride along the path to turning themselves into the most disruptive yet transformative technology ever developed. Google CEO Sundar Pichai said that the impact of AI would be even more significant than that of fire or electricity on the development of humans as a species. It may be an ambitious claim, but AI’s potential is very clear from the way it has been used to explore space, tackle climate change, and develop cancer treatments.
Now, it may be difficult to imagine the impact of machines making faster and more accurate decisions than humans, but one thing is certain: In 2022, new trends and breakthroughs will continue to emerge and push the boundaries of AI and ML.
Here are the top eight AI and ML trends to watch out for in 2022.
1. An Efficient Workforce
Since the advent of AI and ML, there have always been fears and concerns regarding these disruptive technologies that will replace human workers and even make some jobs obsolete. However, as businesses began to incorporate these technologies and to bring AI/ML literacy within their teams, they noticed that working alongside machines with smarter cognitive functionality, in fact, boosted employees’ abilities and skills.
For instance, in marketing, businesses are already using AI/ML tools to help them zero in on potential leads and the business value they can expect from potential customers. Furthermore, in engineering, AI and ML tools allow predictive maintenance, an ability to predict and inform the service and repair requirements of enterprise equipment. Moreover, AI/ML technology is widely used in fields of knowledge, such as law, to peruse ever-increasing amounts of data and find the right information for a specific task.
2. Natural Language Processing (NLP)
NLP is currently one of the most used AI technologies. This technology significantly reduces the necessity for typing or interacting with a screen as machines began to comprehend human languages, and we can now simply talk with them. In addition, AI-powered devices can now turn natural human languages into computer codes that can run applications and programs.
The release of GPT-3—the most advanced and largest NLP model ever created—by OpenAI is a big step in language processing. It consists of around 175 billion ‘parameters’—data points and variables that machines use for language processing. Now, OpenAI is developing GPT-4, a more powerful successor of GPT-3. Speculations reveal that GPT-4 may contain roughly 100 trillion parameters, making it 500 times larger than GPT-3. This development is literally a bigger step closer to creating machines that can develop language and engage in conversations that are indistinguishable from those of a human.
Some of the NLP technologies expected to grow in popularity are sentiment analysis, process description, machine translation, automatic video caption creation, and chatbots.
Also read: Natural Language Processing Will Make Business Intelligence Apps More Accessible
3. Enhanced Cybersecurity
Recently, the World Economic Forum stated that cybercrime poses a more significant threat to society than terrorism. When more intelligent yet complex machines connected to a vast network take control of every aspect of our lives, cybercrimes become rampant, and cybersecurity solutions become complex.
AI and ML tools can play a significant role in tackling this issue. For example, AI/ML algorithms can analyze higher network traffic and recognize patterns of nefarious virtual activities. In 2022, some of the most significant AI/ML technology developments are likely to be in this area.
4. The Metaverse
The metaverse is a virtual world, like the internet, where users can work and play together with immersive experiences. The concept of the metaverse turned into a hot topic since Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, spoke about merging virtual reality (VR) technology with the Facebook platform.
Without a doubt, AI and ML will be a lynchpin of the metaverse. These technologies will allow an enterprise to create a virtual world where its users will feel at home with virtual AI bots. These virtual AI beings will assist users in picking the right products and services or helping users relax and unwind themselves by playing games with them.
Also read: What is the Metaverse and How Do Enterprises Stand to Benefit?
5. Low-code and No-code Technologies
The scarcity of skilled AI developers or engineers stands as a major barrier to adopting AI technology in many companies. No-code and low-code technologies come to the rescue. These solutions aim to offer simple interfaces, in theory, to develop highly complex AI systems.
Today, web design and no-code user interface (UI) tools let users create web pages simply by dragging and dropping graphical elements together. Similarly, no-code AI technology allows developers to create intelligent AI systems by simply merging different ready-made modules and feeding them industrial domain-specific data. Furthermore, NLP, low-code, and no-code technologies will soon enable us to instruct complex machines with our voice or written instructions. These advancements will result in the “democratization” of AI, ML, and data technologies.
6. Hyperautomation
In 2022, with the aid of AI and ML technologies, more businesses will automate multiple yet repetitive processes that involve large volumes of information and data. In the coming years, an increased rate of automation can be seen in various industries using robotic process automation (RPA) and intelligent business process management software (iBPMS). This AI and ML trend allows businesses to bring down their dependence on the human workforce and to improve the accuracy, speed, and reliability of each process.
Also read: The Growing Relevance of Hyperautomation in ITOps
7. Quantum AI
Modern-day businesses will soon begin utilizing AI powered by quantum computing to solve complex business problems faster than traditional AI. Quantum AI offers faster and more accurate data analyzing and pattern prediction. Thus, it assists various businesses in identifying unforeseen challenges and bringing out viable solutions. As a result, quantum AI will revolutionize many industrial sectors, such as healthcare, chemistry, and finance.
8. The Domain of Creativity
Creativity is widely considered a skill possessed only by humans. But today, we are witnessing the emergence of creativity in machines. That means artificial intelligence is inching closer to real intelligence.
We already know that AI can be used to create art, music, plays, and even video games. In 2022, the arrival of GPT-4 and Google Brain will redefine the boundaries of the possibilities of AI and ML technologies in the domain of creativity. People can now expect more natural creativity from our artificial intelligent machine friends.
Today, most of the creative pursuits of AI technology are rather demonstrations of the potential of AI. But the scenario will significantly change in 2022 as AI technology will get into our day-to-day creative tasks, such as writing and graphic designing.
AI/ML Future Growth
All these trends in AI and ML will soon influence businesses all over the globe. These disruptive technologies are powerful enough to transform every industry by assisting organizations in achieving their business objectives, making important choices, and developing innovative goods and services.
The AI/ML industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 33% by 2027. Estimates suggest that businesses will have at least 35 AI initiatives in their business operations by 2022.
Data specialists, data analysts, CIOs, and CTOs, should consider using these opportunities to scale their existing business capabilities and use these technologies to the advantage of their businesses.
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