Episode 87

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are revolutionising the way in which businesses work. With programs automating tasks and predicting solutions, tasks may take significantly less time and require much less work than they would prior. The easier it is to satisfy your customer’s needs, the greater the customer satisfaction and opportunity to grow your business.

• What is Machine Learning?
• Is Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence the same thing?
• How can Machine Learning help business?
• Privacy concerns with Machine Learning
• And more!

What is Machine Learning?

At a very broad level, ML is unique sets of software that will allow a computer to learn from data and be able to predict accurate results. For example, if a billion pictures, each tagged with English words, were uploaded to a computer program called a neural network, a machine learning algorithm would be able to produce a picture based on words that were tagged. With more data points, the algorithm would be able to produce an image with greater accuracy to the words submitted. The algorithm’s accuracy will gradually improve with more data it receives. In a way, the process imitates the way that humans learn.

is Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence the same thing?

ML and AI are often used interchangeably though they have key differences. AI, like Google Assistant, Siri or Cortana, aim to solve tasks by emulating human intelligence. For instance, a Chatbot may be mistaken for a human though all the responses are programmed and prewritten. If a question deviates from the automation, a human will step into the conversation. ML, however, learns from data and aims to predict results for specific tasks. ML is a part of AI but not all AI is ML.

examples of Machine Learning Today

With advancements in technology, AI and ML have altered many of our daily processes. In the past, traffic lights would work on a timer. These days, computers are used to predict when the best time to change the lights is in order to achieve the best traffic flow. ML can determine what stage of life you are in based on what products you look at in a department store and your demographics and when use this data to suggest what are the most relevant advertisements to show the individual. Other examples based on ML are Google search engines, Video Surveillance, Netflix’s recommendation engine or stock predictions.

how can Machine Learning Help Your Business?

ML is making many processes for businesses and working environments easier, faster and more accurate. For instance, ML is starting to be used in network management tools and automation tools where, in the case that an individual cannot connect to a network, ML will predict the most likely cause of the issue and suggest solutions via an automated email. This is a significantly faster solution than contacting or sending out a technician to diagnose and resolve what may be a common issue. Accounting software is becoming more and more accurate in predicting things such as transaction categories, greatly reducing the error rate with bank reconciliation for many companies.

Privacy Concerns with Machine Learning

Many people feel as though their phone or computer is listening to them. You may be having a conversation about a restaurant you have never been to and the next moment, even though you have not searched for it, Google Maps has listed directions to this restaurant. It may seem scary and a breach of privacy though, the reality is we are constantly being tracked, particularly through social media.

With ML, privacy concerns are high though the advantages of the technology are greater. Before the advancements in ML, tasks such as license plate recognition or fingerprint recognition were time confusing and the code was difficult to work with. Developments in ML have improved these processes greatly. Face tracking algorithms have advanced to the point where ML can even recognise an individual from the way they walk with gait tracking. This allows law enforcement to track criminal behaviour more effectively.

In terms of business, ML algorithms and programs provides many opportunities to improve your workflow and the user experience though, with large amounts of sensitive data, the need for cyber security is heightened. If you’re looking to modernise and improve your businesses processes, talk to us today about how you could incorporate ML into your business structure and improve your cyber security stance.

Wine of the Week

The Wine of the Week is a 2018 Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz. With a bold yet balanced flavour of French Oak, soft berries and bitey Tannin,  it is a great performer.

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