AI on OPT: AI What?
Andrea Cappa
8/8/20244 min read
When thinking about AI in the past, I, Robot (2004) was one of the first pop culture references that came to my mind. Either because I was quite young when I first watched it, and it strongly impacted me, or because, based on Isaac Asimov's works, it was my first exposure to the Three Laws of Robotics. Asimov designed these to rule over the robots in his works so that they could never hurt humans.
Today, whenever we hear about AI, due to the incredible noise that constantly lives around it, it's unclear whether we are assisting the best invention ever or something that will inevitably lead to the end of the human race. When we don't understand something, it becomes easy then to become prey to sensationalism and paranoia. So, we might want to understand AI a little better before asking ourselves if we respect Asimov's Laws to avoid the coming of a supreme form of intelligence that will rebel and get rid of us.
AI what?
Let's start with the very basics. In simple terms, AI refers to machines that mimic human intelligence — think of it as teaching computers to think and learn from data. AI isn't a single technology; it's a combination of various techniques and tools. The most common types include machine learning, where computers learn from data and improve over time, and neural networks, which are designed to work like the human brain, identifying patterns and making predictions (don't worry, we'll talk about these in more detail in future articles - but if you are eager to know a bit more, check this video out).
The idea of AI has been around for a long time — since the 1950s, in fact. Back then, researchers dreamed of creating machines that could mimic human intelligence. Fast forward to today, and we have AI in our phones, our cars, and even our homes. AI can learn from experience, recognize patterns, and get better over time, much like how we learn and improve at things. ou can find a bit more history about AI here.
But why does AI matter? It's not just about cool gadgets and smart apps; AI is fundamentally transforming industries. Companies are using AI to automate processes, improve decision-making, and personalize customer experiences at scale. In short, understanding AI isn't just for tech bros; it's crucial for anyone looking to thrive in today's business landscape.
AI in Business
So, why does AI matter for businesses? Well, AI is a game-changer. It's not just a buzzword; it's transforming how companies operate and compete. Let me give you a few examples on how AI is making waves in the business world:
Automation: AI can take over repetitive tasks, which means employees can focus on more important work. For example, customer service teams use AI chatbots to handle common questions, freeing up human agents to deal with more complex issues.
Data-Driven Decisions: Companies generate tons of data daily, and AI helps make sense of it all. By analyzing data, AI can offer insights that help businesses make better decisions, like which products to stock up on or how to optimize supply chains.
Personalization: AI can tailor experiences to individual customers. Based on what you've watched before, consider how Netflix suggests shows you might like. This kind of personalization keeps customers engaged and coming back for more.
Innovation: AI isn't just about improving what we already do; it's opening up new possibilities. From self-driving cars to AI-generated music, businesses that embrace AI are leading the way in innovation.
For businesses, the key to success with AI is to start small and think strategically. Identify where AI can make the biggest impact in your operations, and then scale up from there. The companies that do this well will be the ones that thrive in the AI-driven future.
PS: If you're on OPT and reading AI on OPT, come close, and let's hug and be friends. I feel you. And if you have a job already - good job, soldier - remember your fellow OPTs and reach out when you see an opportunity in your company. No AI can replace humans on this matter (I... think?).
While writing this article, I listened to Fuji Kaze.
Enjoy my fav song.
I'm Andrea, a Senior Product Manager with 5+ years of experience building B2B SaaS solutions.
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Ciao!
It's not all about business.
Ok, enough with business for this article. Let’s have a look at a few cool AI-related videos I found:
And that’s a wrap for our second article in the "AI on OPT" series. Next time, we'll dive into the process of designing AI and data products, exploring how businesses can harness the power of AI to create innovative solutions. Stay tuned!
Andrea
"A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm"
1st Law of Robotics, by I. Asimov