It seems like we’re just on the cusp of artificial intelligence seen widespread use in business and industry. Just a few years ago, it was being treated as a “fine in theory” technology without much in the way of practical use cases. But especially after 2020, that’s rapidly changing.
VentureBeat recently released a list of promising areas where they think AI will make big strides this year. Let’s examine what the areas which most apply to business and the corporate sector.
Graph neural networks
Many domains have data that naturally lend themselves to graph structures: computer networks, social networks, molecules/proteins, and transportation routes are just a few examples. Graph neural networks (GNNs) enable the application of deep learning to graph-structured data, and we expected GNNs to become an increasingly important AI method in the future.
Applications
Many of last year’s top stories highlighted nascent advances in practical applications of AI, and 2021 looks poised to capitalize on these advances. Applications that depend on natural language understanding, in particular, are likely to see advances as access to the GPT-3 API becomes more available. With Microsoft’s purchase of the GPT-3 license, we may also see the technology appear in Microsoft products as well.
Companies are starting to realize that cyber threats in the form of malware, ransomware, and other bad actors are an increasingly-worrisome threat, especially in the wake of SolarWinds.
VentureBeat’s article makes the valid point that artificial intelligence’s biggest business use case comes in the form of identifying new threats.
Listen: My TechDecisions Podcast Episode 107: Artificial Intelligence in the Enterprise
Another common use case: intelligent virtual assistants helping mission-critical workers access information and answering customer questions quickly.
Experts or call center agents answering phone calls can leverage these assistants to reduce call times.
Like any newly-minted technology, AI will definitely be (and already is) prone to errors. But there will be a period of correction — if that hasn’t already begun.
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