People have mentioned AI since 65 years ago, what will happen in 2018?

In 1950, - one of the first people to study computers came up with the question: 'Can machines think?'

2018 is forecast to be the booming year of new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). For more views on AI's history, meaning and future, invite readers to read the review of Mr. Ralph Haupter - Chairman of Microsoft Asia and Vice President of Microsoft Group on AI.

Artificial intelligence will explode in 2018.

The history of human development has proved one thing: The remarkable changes do not stem from a single breakthrough technology, but require the combination of many complementary factors at the same time.

The industrial revolution began around 1760 in the UK, as a result of steam power, increased iron ore production and the development of the first machine tools. Similarly, the parallel development of microprocessor, memory storage, software programs and other factors led to the computer revolution in the early 1970s.

Now, in the early days of 2018, we are entering a new revolution, a revolution that is expected to bring change to all organizations, industries and translations. public service worldwide.

What I want to talk about here is, and I believe that 2018 is the year when AI will begin to become formal, and begin to influence life in many ways, in a truly wide and true way.

AI: Journey over 65 years

The concept of AI is not new. In fact, in 1950, Alan Turing - one of the first people to study computers came up with the question: 'Can machines think?' And six years later, in 1956, the term 'artificial intelligence' was used for the first time.

It took more than 70 years to bring AI from a concept into a common practice with three innovative technology trends:

1. Big Data : The explosion of Internet-connected devices, sensors have exponentially expanded to create a huge amount of data. In a growing digital era, data is 'new fuel source' that brings sustainable and valuable competitive advantage.
2. Cloud computing (Cloud computing): Today, any individual with an idea and a credit card can have access to the cloud computing facility with the same power as electrical facilities. Cloud computing of multinational corporations or governments own. Cloud computing brings technology closer to everyone and at the same time promotes innovation.
3. Software Algorithms and Machine Learning : It can determine the subtle rules in the data itself. If we consider data as a new fuel source, the machine is the new internal combustion engine.

And so, these trends once they are ripe and combined together will promote and disseminate AI.

AI everywhere

My colleague, Harry Shum, who heads the AI ​​research department, said it was an "invisible revolution." AI will be present everywhere, act as a chatbot or virtual assistant for bank accounts, personalize daily news or protect your credit card against fraud . AI will became extremely popular, but not as abrupt and invasive as the previous technological revolutions.

AI will be applied to all aspects of life.

Specifically, AI will be applied to existing products and services, to bring those products and services to a new level. A simple example of personalization: I move a lot and often have to give presentations to many multinational and multilingual members on business trips across Asia - Pacific. With the support of Microsoft Presentation Translator technology application, the language was no longer a barrier when PowerPoint presented real-time subtitles with more than 60 parallel languages ​​at the same time I presented.

AI will also be applied more by businesses, in at least part of the value chain: Can be in research and development, design, logistics, manufacturing, service or customer interaction. According to IDC, by 2019, 40% of global digital conversions will be supported by AI.

What will AI do in 2018?

I see 4 developments of AI in the next 12 months:

1. AI will be a wide choice starting from 2018: AI is expected to dominate in 2018, when the benefits that AI brings to pioneers start to be seen by other businesses. According to IDC, AI income worldwide will surpass $ 46 billion by 2020. In Asia-Pacific region, investment in AI is expected to increase to $ 6.9 billion by 2021, increasing. significant with 73%.
2. Popular virtual assistant: The most widely used AI in the form of a chat chat with AI chat in many cases, from customers to businesses Gartner forecasts until 2020, more than 85% of the interaction between customers and businesses will be responsible for AI technology and do not need human presence.
3. Disseminating data and making decisions: We are living in the world of data, where data and information exist more than ever. The ability to analyze, evaluate data and distribute analysis and meaningful reporting to businesses to a certain number of employees becomes extremely important. With the ability to connect data from employees, business applications, and worldwide, AI will be the key to helping us do this.
4. Building a foundation of trust for AI: There will be a wide range of sectoral and government-level discussions to build and establish regulations and administer the use of AI. We have seen discussions about e-commerce and cloud technology. This is a prerequisite to shape the benefits of AI for the economy, society and the most trustworthy.

The future of AI is extremely bright and I see 2018 will be the year to establish a solid foundation for the widespread adoption of this exciting and important technology.