Artificial intelligence (AI) — once confined to the realm of science fiction — is quickly becoming part of everyday life. As this technology has evolved, it’s become increasingly accessible to individuals and companies alike. And applications of AI now range from business to healthcare, bringing about a cultural revolution in the way people live and work.
Organizations are harnessing the power of AI to gain insights from complex datasets, allowing for smarter decision-making. And the rise of virtual assistants, like chatbots, allow just about anyone to simplify and accelerate day-to-day tasks.
But it's not all about efficiency — AI's potential extends to shaping the way we address pressing global challenges, from climate modeling to disease prediction.
And while this technology is fascinating to watch from afar, the real magic happens when you take these tools and make them work for you, leveling up your skills and even helping you find better work-life balance. Let's dive into the captivating world of AI and explore how you can use it for good in your personal and professional life.
What’s artificial intelligence technology?
AI seeks to simulate human reasoning and decision-making processes through computer systems. This innovation relies on machine learning, a process where computers learn from data using algorithms rather than explicit instructions.
Modern AI relies on “deep learning,” in which systems build their own neural networks, enabling them to rapidly adapt and respond to data — often outpacing the speed of the human brain. Deep learning enables computers to learn from vast amounts of information and improve their performance over time, much like how humans acquire expertise through experience.
These networks automatically identify patterns within data, allowing machines to perform tasks such as image recognition, natural language processing, speech synthesis, and more with remarkable accuracy.
11 fascinating artificial intelligence applications
Chances are you’re already familiar with popular AI tools — like ChatGPT from OpenAI — capable of generating text, images, and video that blend in with human-generated content. As impressive as these tools are, they’re just the tip of the iceberg.
With the growth of the AI landscape comes an array of applications reshaping industries and redefining possibilities. Let's explore the diverse uses for AI:
1. Streamlining business operations
The uses of AI in business are often industry-specific, but business owners can leverage AI tools to automate and streamline their administrative and back-office processes. You can use automated tools for tasks such as:
- Invoice processing
- Automated accounts receivable/payable
- Monitoring financial data
- Sales forecasting
- Managing HR/payroll
Business leaders rely on these AI applications to work more efficiently, allowing teams to focus on the revenue-generating processes that align with the company’s mission. In fact, tech giant IBM reports that roughly 25% of businesses use AI tools to fill talent gaps.
2. Innovating job searches and professional development
AI in job-seeking and professional development enhances users applications and significantly amplifies their visibility and preparedness in a competitive market. Here’s how AI can help your next career leap:
- Crafting tailored cover letters that align your skills with job requirements
- Scanning your resume and evaluating it against a job description
- Recommending courses for upskilling based on market trends and your existing skill set
- Preparing you for interviews with critical feedback on your responses in a mock interview
This blend of tech and career management helps ensure you’re not just a contender but a standout in your professional journey.
3. Supporting education
If you’re an educator, you know just how demanding the role can be. AI-powered tools can lend a helping hand, assisting teachers, tutors, and administrators with a variety of tasks, including:
- Generating lesson plans, outlines, or prompts
- Summarizing larger content to create study guides, syllabi, or worksheets
- Scheduling and managing meetings and parent-teacher interactions
The powerful capabilities of AI can augment your current processes and make your workflow more efficient. For instance, some AI-powered bots allow you to dictate your thoughts out loud, then convert them into a script you can use for lectures, study guides, and more.
4. Simplifying everyday life
The best AI apps can enhance the day-to-day in surprising ways, offering digital “life hacks” to maximize your time and make life a little easier. Common examples include:
- Facial recognition technology on your mobile devices to protect your data
- Personal assistants that can manage your schedule
- Apps that can help you predict your grocery needs
Now, you can manage your finances, your household, and even your personal health with the help of AI.
5. Enhancing healthcare
AI systems successfully augment the human-led processes associated with the healthcare industry. These applications include:
On the research side of things, AI models allow scientists to advance their research before moving forward with real-world applications, leading to faster, safer breakthroughs.
6. Bolstering marketing efforts
AI tools empower businesses to engage their current customer base and target new segments. Marketing teams can use AI to:
- Deliver personalized ads based on the behavioral analysis of their target audience
- Provide branded customer service with an automated chatbot
- Create optimized content marketing timelines and strategies based on customer behavior
- Generate SEO-friendly content, video scripts, and social media posts
Chatbots, for example, rely on natural language processing (NLP), which gives these programs the ability to create lightning-fast outputs and interact with customers while retaining your company’s brand voice.
7. Fortifying cybersecurity
AI provides a secure barrier against cybersecurity threats and fraud. The exact applications vary by industry, but companies are already using AI programs for tasks including:
- Analyzing data for advanced fraud detection
- Adapting to new threats
- Responding to unexpected activity
- Correcting human errors
The real advantage of AI is that it’s highly adaptive. Machine learning algorithms allow cybersecurity tools to identify and react to threats in real time, enabling businesses and computer systems to keep up with evolving cybercrime.
8. Redefining transportation
Businesses use AI-powered tools to optimize their logistics networks. But the technology can accommodate a variety of other transportation needs, including:
- Self-driving cars and delivery vehicles
- Managing ride-sharing apps
- Conducting routine inspections of vehicle computer systems
Self-driving cars have only been adopted in select states, but several major automakers are embracing this technology. Of course, technology this powerful must be used with the utmost attention to safety. But when done right, AI in vehicles could make delivery, ride-sharing, and public transportation more affordable than ever before.
9. Personalizing entertainment
Entertainment — from TV and music to video games — has become an emphatically personalized experience. Consumers are switching from generic bundles to AI-driven algorithms that respond to their preferences. In 2021 alone, more than a quarter of American households intended to cut their cable subscription and replace it with streaming apps like Netflix or Apple TV.
AI is changing home entertainment by:
- Providing recommendations for new movies or shows based on your viewing history
- Creating smart playlists on streaming platforms
- Designing non-playable video game characters that mimic human behavior
The end result is an entertainment experience uniquely tailored to your viewing choices, musical tastes, or play style.
10. Transforming supply chain management
Many empty shelves are the result of inefficiencies in the global supply chain. In response, business leaders and logistics providers are using AI and machine learning to adapt. Applications of AI in logistics include:
- Using machine learning algorithms for route planning and optimization
- Managing inventory based on past sales data and cyclical trends
- Automating administrative tasks
- Coordinating reverse logistics for customer returns
Some companies are even using self-driving delivery vehicles, and the future will likely bring an expansion of this technology for greater route efficiency and compliance.
11. Elevating e-commerce
Entrepreneurs can use AI technology to enhance the online customer journey in strategic ways, including:
- Automated chatbots that interact with customers in real-time
- Personalized recommendations for related products
- Fraud prevention tools that minimize false transactions or fake reviews
You may already have experienced applications of AI when shopping on Amazon: AI algorithms generate your personal product recommendations based on your previous shopping habits. Like Amazon, merchants of any size can use AI tools to engage customers and enhance their online business.
6 examples of artificial intelligence you should try
Don’t be shy — hop on the AI train. Here are six simple ways to experiment with this technology at work and home:
- Composing emails or social media posts using language models such as ChatGPT
- Installing smart thermostats that regulate your home when you’re away
- Generating images and logos for events or newsletters
- Using an AI-powered search tool like perplexity.ai for more precise web searches
- Improving your resume and generating cover letters
- Managing your workflow with project management tools or scheduling apps
AI can lend a helping hand
Modern applications of AI are forever changing the way we live and work. But embracing AI isn't about replacing human effort — it's about amplifying it.
Whether you’re an AI beginner or have been following the industry from the jump, there’s always more to learn about how this technology can improve your life.
And outsourcing busy work — no matter how big or small — can have a surprising impact on your well-being. Think about what you could do with even a little extra free time: take on a new hobby, spend more time with friends, or crack open a good book.
With the right tools at your disposal, you can navigate life more efficiently. Tap into the power of AI and streamline your professional tasks, unlock insights that were once buried in data, and even minimize repetitive chores around the house.
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