Typically, AI means technology that is able to demonstrate behavior that is typical for humans, like planning, learning and reasoning.

AI has become a critical part of the technology industry and it’s seen as the technology of the future. These intelligent solutions constantly shape other industries as well and bring smart technology to places where there traditionally hasn’t been any.

Yet, AI isn’t really a standardized product that would have similar features no matter the situation

Artificial intelligence is a so-called umbrella term, which is a term that covers a broad category of things underneath instead of just a single item. Even as the different AI’s differ from each other significantly, they still fall under the same category. Because of this, the discussion and terms of AI might be complicated and sometimes difficult to understand.

There are many different kinds of artificial intelligences, for many different purposes and they can be built in many different ways. Naturally all of the different models have their own features, strengths and weaknesses.

The same applies for the quality of the different AI models. AI models that are built differently also match the specific needs differently in their own way, which partly explains why the quality of different models varies.

Do you know how many times a day you use AI?

This might not be a subject that crosses your mind very often, but the reality is that we utilize different AI solutions more than we even realize. AI has become a significant part of our daily lives, and because of its increasing popularity these intelligent solutions can be found in products and services that traditionally haven’t had any – like vacuums.

In this article we want to point out and highlight the differences between the AI’s with the help of a few everyday examples. These examples differ significantly from each which proves how versatile the field of AI truly is.

We bet that the AI solutions present below are familiar to many and perhaps used on the daily as well.

All of these products and services use AI. Even as they vary a lot from each other they still fall under the same umbrella, AI. Let’s begin shall we!

Google Maps

Thanks to different map applications, navigating from a place to another has become way easier. Different route suggestions, estimated travel time, estimated time of arrival and information about possible traffic jams can bring a lot of value to the user.

If it’s a road trip in Italy, it might be more tempting to take the long scenic route, but if it’s a commute to work the shortest route with least traffic might be the best choice for the user. These different choices in the app give the user a chance to affect their own user experience and make it the best possible one.

Choosing the route is made very easy and simple for the user, but at the same time there is a lot of work and different functions in the background, that enable that the information is available to the user within seconds.

According to Google, over 1 billion kilometers are driven daily across the world with Google Maps, and to no surprise it is the world’s most popular map application.

How is the route defined?

In order to estimate the traffic situation in the near future Google Maps analyzes historical data of when and where traffic jams form. This data is combined with real-time traffic data with the help of machine learning and these two data sets the application creates predictions.

Google Maps also uses predictive traffic models. With the models’ help it’s possible to notice if the traffic situation changes during the trip and it then estimates whether rerouting would be beneficial. In addition to the predictive traffic models there are also other features that affect the routing. These features are for example official data from the local authorities, information about road conditions and real-time feedback from users.

Translate – different translator applications

Learning a new language and translating different texts have gotten so much easier due to the different translator apps that are available. With their help it’s possible to translate whole sentences and paragraphs within seconds, saving a massive amount of time and effort.

A translating app is also a great travel companion. Thanks to image and speech recognition features it’s possible to communicate better when facing a language barrier or even read a foreign language menu without knowing anything from the local language yourself.

Google Translate

Google Translate is the most commonly known translator app, and it has helped people to translate text for the past 15 years already. The service translates up to 108 languages and it is possible to even use the translator without an internet connection.

Before Google Translate used to break the text into single words and translate the text word by word. Nowadays it uses deep learning and recurrent neural networks that enable it to translate whole sentences at a time. Translating the sentences as a whole makes the text more connected and helps to maintain the message of the sentence.

Even though translators aren’t as good as translating as humans, they are still great helpers that make our everyday lives easier.

Google Translate and other services translate languages like English, German and Spanish the best as there is a lot of data available about them. Less common languages are more difficult to translate and the translation quality isn’t as good, as there is a significantly smaller set of available data to utilize in the process.

FaceID and fingerprint recognition

The different kinds of face and fingerprint recognitions are probably the most familiar to us from our own smartphones. Instead of using an access code, the phones are unlocked by recognizing the user’s face or fingerprint. In addition, you can use the recognition for example as an authentication to log in to online banking, use it as a user ID or accepting invoices and purchases.

Nowadays, we all store a large amount of personal information on a variety of different smart devices, such as phones, making data protection a natural priority for all of us. Because facial and fingerprint recognitions are personal, it may protect your data better than, for example, a password that could fall into the wrong hands.

How does the recognition work?

Apple’s FaceID is one of the most advanced facial recognition solutions. It identifies the user whether they are wearing a hat or glasses and it is even designed to work in complete darkness.

FaceID collects and analyzes data on the user’s face by using a TrueDepth camera. The camera projects and analyzes more than 30,000 invisible dots on the user’s face, allowing it to create a depth map as well as an infrared image of the user’s face. When using FaceID this information will be compared with the facial data gathered during that identification and the FaceID will make a decision based on its findings.

In fingerprint recognition, biometric systems look for similar features, i.e., details and specific features that make a fingerprint unique. These details are converted and stored in digital form, so that in the future the sample of the login attempt is compared with the existing data. In order for fingerprint recognition to work successfully with AI, there must be a sufficiently large number of detailed fingerprint pattern material that can be utilized.

Netflix

Do you ever feel that the streaming service you use seems to know better than yourself what would be interesting to watch next? Many may not think that streaming services like Netflix also use AI in their services, but it’s true!

Netflix and other streaming services are a great example of how artificial intelligence gets to know its users.

Netflix uses machine learning to provide the best user experience and service to its users. Its AI takes into account the user’s previously watched movies and series, genres, and what other viewers of the same type have watched, among other things. If a user’s viewing preferences change, the AI will learn more about the user at the same time and modify and shape the movie suggestions accordingly.

Once the streaming service is personalized to the user, it’s more likely that the user will find what they would like to watch easier and quicker.

On the other hand, if streaming services like Netflix didn’t have any AI solutions, choosing a Friday night’s movie could take significantly longer. But then at the same time, one could find something to watch at that one wouldn’t normally even consider. Which one would you prefer?

Self-driving cars

Self-driving cars, or robotic cars, might not be a common everyday-lives-thing for everyone, but their popularity is definitely on the rise. Thanks to AI and machine learning, cars can drive independently. Robotic cars can assist the driver in driving or even drive completely on their own.

In the case of self-driving cars, the car collects data around it, interprets it and makes decisions based on the interpretations. Data is collected for example by using sensors, built-in cameras, navigation systems and radars.

According to the European Commission, some degree of human error, such as impaired focus, is part of up to 95% of car accidents in the EU. Because AI is a non-human system, it is possible to avoid errors that are typically caused by human behavior.

The use of self-driving cars can reduce the number of potential road accidents and thus improve road safety. In addition, as technology becomes more widespread, the amount of air pollution could also be reduced.

Robot vacuums

Robotic vacuum cleaners have evolved considerably during their relatively short history. The first models contained only the simplest features that allowed the robotvacuum to identify walls and avoid stairs. Today, among the various models, there are ones that utilize AI much more extensively.

Some of the latest models of robotic vacuum cleaners have advanced decision-making capabilities. In this case, the vacuum cleaner can, for example, scan the size of the room to be vacuumed, identify possible obstacles and remember the most efficient vacuuming routes and methods.

The possibilities offered by a robotic vacuum cleaner are definitely time and effort saving – everyday luxury, if you can say so about the vacuum cleaner. Thanks to intelligent solutions, it’s possible to remotely put the robot vacuum to clean with the help of a mobile application, so that the user does not even have to be at home to get a clean home.

FabricAI

FabricAI is a tool for the accountant that performs automated purchase invoice processing by using AI. FabricAI includes more than 2,000 mass-customized artificial intelligence models that predict for example revolving lists, cost centers, bookkeeping accounts, and VAT processing.

The artificial intelligence directs only the invoices relevant to the business operations for the accountant to process. Because of this up to 95% of purchase invoices can be processed without a person.

Thanks to FabricAI, an accountant can use the time saved for more meaningful tasks, and while the AI learns the accountant’s work methods, tacit information becomes visible to the entire company and it helps to standardize the procedures.

That’s quite the variety, don’t you think!

As the examples show, artificial intelligence is very versatile and can be built for many different purposes.

Although the using purposes are different, there is still the same idea behind it – the purpose is to make the user’s life easier, add value and save time. No wonder that the popularity of AI solutions has risen sharply in recent years.

But one more note about the examples above has to be noticed – all of the examples shown in the article are the market leaders, the best known and widely trusted among the users in that specific industry.

There are many alternative products for all of these examples different AI products.

I bet many of us have tried using a different service provider for the same purpose and found that the results are not as good. The route of the map application may route you through the smallest most inconvenient roads to the destination, or the translation of the language translation application doesn’t seem to make any sense at all.

These everyday examples of AI prove that there can be significant differences in artificial intelligence, and it is not a standardized product, nor should it be seen as one.

Because of this, it is important to understand that when it comes to AI, there are differences in the products (and the quality!), so it is worth familiarizing yourself with the subject when making a possible purchase decision.

AI in business

Many companies are interested in incorporating AI into their business to keep up with the competition and development. But at the same time, however, there might be uncertainty about how the specific AI in question will add value or cost savings to the company, or even how will this AI differ from other products.

Roughly speaking, if someone says they are utilizing AI in their business operations without any detailed descriptions about it, it can be difficult to say whether they have a robotic vacuum circling around the office, or perhaps a production AI that performs manual tasks on behalf of the employees.

How to distinguish an effective AI from a large variety of products?

At FabricAI, we believe that artificial intelligence must be reliable and measurable in order to generate value for its user.

If the predictions produced by the AI cannot be relied upon, it provides only minimal value and will not fulfill its function. Successful AI solutions are able to produce reliable predictions for a sufficient number of cases and at the same time make the operations easier and more efficient.

AI solutions in financial administration

There are currently many different AI solutions on the market that are tailored to process purchase invoices. However, it’s important to remember that there are also significant differences between them, which makes it particularly important to compare and evaluate the solutions before purchasing.

The different AI solutions for financial administration and accounting differ, for example, in terms of what data they predict and how reliable the forecasts are. Without a proper comparison of available solutions, there might be surprises or letdowns as to what the solution can and cannot do, after the purchase decision.

The AI solutions of financial administration have evolved to the point where economic benefits can be expected quickly from the solutions. In order to increase operational efficiency, it is not enough to just get a forecast for the invoice, instead a plan and methods are needed as well to utilize the forecasts.

If you are thinking of purchasing an AI solution for your business, keep in mind comparison and reliability. There are many different solutions and many different qualities under the umbrella of AI, so this time the choice truly matters.

Oh, and when it comes to automated purchase invoice processing, FabricAI handles every single aspect of the process, while providing measurable and reliable results.