Artificial intelligence includes computer systems that behave intelligently, similar to human intelligence. For intelligent behavior, we can give examples of expectations such as learning from experience, making sense of mixed and contradictory data, using what is learned for new and unexpected situations, and making predictions. We also often hear the terms Machine Learning and Deep Learning, which are components of Artificial Intelligence.
In traditional software applications, data are typically inserted into the Model, which consists of a set of rules developed by experts as input, are processed, and output information is formed, under normal circumstances. Such output information can also be a forecast, for example weather forecast information.
In Artificial Intelligence applications, unlike traditional software applications, not the rule set, but the experience brought by the past data set is at the forefront in the development of the Model. Any newly-entered data are questioned and the resulting information is used to improve the model one step further. After hundreds, thousands, and then millions of data, the system, which evaluates the data it processes for continuous learning and improvement of the model, becomes perfect, turning into “Artificial Intelligence,” and it can make better predictions and decisions compared to human intelligence.
Thus, Artificial Intelligence systems analyze their own environment and take action to achieve certain goals autonomously. They use methods of sensing (sensors, sound and image processing, etc.), learning from data and taking action (optimizing, making decisions, predicting, etc.) similar to humans. An artificial intelligence system can be used not only as a software application, but also as a component of a technical system (for example, a car), often in robots or other hardware.
So, although Artificial Intelligence is nothing new as a concept and discussions on it began decades ago, why has it only recently become popular? From a technological point of view, the facts that the high computer speeds and capacities that are needed for Artificial Intelligence are now available and more accessible to a wider audience with the help of cloud computing, that big data collection has become easier with IoT and other tools, and that robotics and other components that will eliminate the human factor in practice are now ready for this transformation undoubtedly had serious impacts.
From the point of view of economic opportunities in parallel to this, making sense of the collected big data at a higher level, and transforming it into value thanks to Artificial Intelligence led to a serious enlightenment, considering the various business areas, most of which have difficulties in increasing productivity and improving under intense competitive pressure when entering an era in which information is the greatest value. Inspired by successful Artificial Intelligence projects, we increasingly see new project ideas and initiatives.
Although many artificial intelligence applications that make our daily lives easier, have a catalytic effect in the advancement of science and technology, and increase productivity in the business world have entered our lives, we can say that we are just at the beginning of developments in this field. The future expectation is that a large number of artificial intelligence applications in the dimension of innovation will be made available to change human life.
Artificial Intelligence studies, for which developments intensively continue, include smart education systems, autonomous driving systems, real-time translation systems, cyber security systems for the protection of information, applications for diagnosis and treatment in the field of healthcare, artificial intelligence applications in the field of law, and applications that provide expansions in the field of marketing. We can list Industry 4.0 projects such as artificial intelligence applications for banks, insurance companies and consultancy companies at the services industry side, and human-robot interaction and predictive maintenance applications in the production industry.
Considering the fact that Information Technologies companies are ranked first on the list of companies with the highest global brand value in the Information Age, it is clear that much more value will be achieved by entrepreneurs who invest in Artificial Intelligence itself and present it to the market by developing it, compared to that derived from simply using the Artificial Intelligence applications. Countries and institutions with policies that support these initiatives through strategic plans will undoubtedly gain serious advantages in this rapid digital transformation journey. Such support should include universities, R&D organizations and private R&D companies, and their collaborations on the research and innovation side, while it should include collective awareness, user training and the development of digital competencies on the society, i.e. user side.
Public institutions should aim to successfully make new digital services that they will model available to the public. On the private sector side, incentives and facilities that enable rapid commissioning should be offered for project investments for the use of Artificial Intelligence, which SMEs in particular will have difficulty in.
Undoubtedly, an easily accessible, faster and more reliable Information Technology Infrastructure is an indispensable component of this digital transformation. On the infrastructure side, 5G and other high-speed data communication lines, high-security data centers and high-performance computer systems need to be made accessible. Obviously, while doing this, managing information security risks, including cyber security threats that increase with each passing year, is another challenge to overcome.
Creating positive effects in the development of humanity, Artificial Intelligence will also undoubtedly create negative socio-economic effects, as some experts warn. These include changing or eliminating many profession profiles, forcing management styles to change in the private and public sectors. Predictions show that in the near future, computer software will go beyond use as a business tool. With the inclusion of artificial intelligence in the game, we will see that Computer Software has become the center of almost every business. Everything else that seems to be at the core of business today will be transformed into side elements or disappear.
It will still be up to humans to present the opportunities that this change will bring, as added value to humanity in a fair manner without restricting rights and freedoms. It seems that an exciting transformation adventure, only limited by imagination, awaits us.
Vedat DAVARCIOĞLU
Head of IT Systems and Services Management
CITS Bilişim Hizmetleri ve Yazılım San. Tic. A.Ş.