 | by Noel Jerke (Author)  |
One of the biggest phenomena of the 21st century is Artificial Intelligence. Robots and machines are becoming outdated while advanced automated intelligent systems are becoming more relevant to the current times. As a matter of fact, AI, Machine Learning, and Robotic Advancement are the three pillars of our future. While most people do have an idea about robotics, only a few know about the concept of Artificial Intelligence. This is mainly because research is still undergoing to pursue AI and its further applications in the future. Besides, it is a relatively newer idea as compared to robotics.
This is an eBook on Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Robotics. For someone who has no idea about the subject can begin his or her reading from this book as it has been written in exceptionally easy-to-understand English. The book provides elaborate information on the topic while incorporating the different examples to validate as well as explain a point. Today, the top tech giants of the world are relying on the use of AI to make their work processes even better along with addressing the various types of security issues.
The book can also be considered an eye-opener because AI is going to change the world in an abrupt way. Many people might lose in this race of technological advancement while others would be the winners. Reading this book will help you prepare for this race to ace in the future where AI is going to take over.
Basic Questions Answered
Unlike many other books, this one begins by answering some of the frequently asked questions associated with AI. The first two chapters are about why AI is important for everyone in the current times and the historical aspect of how we came across this point.
While most people have a common perception that AI is just associated with technology and would not impact anything else, the first chapter becomes an eye-opener by highlighting the vast applications of AI which are going to replace the jobs of millions. From manufacturing to driving to basic computer jobs, AI will become smart enough to handle most of it on its own and that’s when it is going to cause troubles.
Whether that be Tesla’s self-driving Semi, pizza companies developing delivery robots or Amazon’s smart delivery drones moving things from one place to another is definitely going to be impacted by robotics.
(Ebook Excerpt)
Right from the beginning, the author takes the interest of the readers by highlighting some shocking information related to Artificial Intelligence.
The next big question that many have is that how have we come to such a point where technology is strongly influencing our daily lifestyles as well as creating a new way of living life. The excessive dependency has raised big questions as to what made us go here and how did we arrive at this point. The answers to these basic questions are provided in Chapter 2 which is all about the history of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.
From the earliest origins in Greek times, the author has provided historical examples where mechanization began to assist humans. From small-scale water tanks to large machinery, humans have tried their best to get help from some form of robotics in the ancient era as well. The other main points of discussion in this chapter include the era of the Industrial Revolution, as well as two of the World Wars. One unique thing many people may have not known is that cultural robots were also a big source of entertainment for people. As a matter of fact, it is these robots that gave birth to the idea of AI.
A personal favorite aspect about this chapter is the pictorial illustrations and timelines which give a quick summary of the entire history of AI as well as robotics.
From Robots to AI – Chapter 3 Onwards
The main concept of how robotics and AI are influencing our current lives is discussed in chapter 3 which is all about the basics of robotic technology and the various types of benefits and drawbacks associated with it. While reading this chapter, one would realize that it is not a biased one rather it has been written in a neutral tone. From this chapter, the detailed discussion on robots, types of robots, and their applications in contemporary times begin. The author has discussed several industrial, manufacturing, commercial, personal, medical, and military uses of robotic technology.
Fortunately, robotic technology has improved our living in so many ways and removed the chances of human errors as well. Besides, the next chapter is about the basics of AI. Reading these two chapters side by side gives you a clear perspective on the two technologies as well as the differences between their uses and applications. AI is becoming quite useful in various fields like workforce management, emailing systems, social media, map capabilities, strategic management, contingency management, and other vast fields as well.
The Bad Side of AI and Robotics
However, there are side implications as well which are discussed in great detail in Chapter 5. This chapter tells us about the excessive dependency and rise in research towards robotics and Artificial Intelligence. Possible side effects associated with Artificial Intelligence include robots getting way smarter than humans, the use of AI towards war and destruction, cyber security issues, as well as unfair use of the technology. The author has expressed his concern towards these issues and has attempted to create awareness regarding the problems with AI.
This robot is a real, remotely controlled bomber. Imagine Pearl Harbor, but with smarter, more powerful bombs and no pilots, and the general idea of what the Pegasus can do arises.
(Ebook Excerpt)
However, that isn’t just it. AI is not good because it hasn’t been perfected yet or there is no chance that AI can ever get as perfect as humans. The chances of a machine making a mistake, just because of an error are present. This error could prove disastrous. For example, the chances that planes can fly themselves are quite high with AI but it poses a major threat to human lives as machine faults and technical errors can occur anytime and they are not always resolvable.
The author has also discussed key governmental and surveillance issues associated with the usage of AI and Robotics.
The Good Side of AI and Robotics
Chapter 6 of this book provides the readers with an idea of how useful this technology is and what are the best ways to make the most out of it. Surprisingly, many of you may come across technologies that can be used in everyday lives or which are already being used in everyday lives without us realizing how smart our surroundings have become. The positive discussion on the aspect of AI and Robotics is based on the following benefits
- Benefits in Manufacturing
- Benefits in Power Plants
- Benefits in Exploration including Land, Water, Air, and Space
- Benefits in Medication
- Benefits in Safety and Security
- Benefits in Finances
- Benefits in Home Improvement
The author has also discussed the role of IBM Watson, one of the top tech firms in the world, towards the rising development and usage of AI and Robotics. Historically, IBM has been among the first ones to step into the research for evaluating this unique technology.
“According to IBM, Watson’s ability to collect and apply voluminous amounts of information from a comprehensive list of sources allows it to outperform human medical professionals. It can go through 1.5 million patient records and thousands of other medical documents at an impressive rate of 800 million pages per second.”
(Ebook Excerpt)
The Growth of Artificial Intelligence
While the previous chapters of the book are about information and awareness, Chapter 7 of this eBook is about the current situation of AI. It answers questions associated with factual and quantitative knowledge such as “How Big the Market for AI is, What is AI in Numbers, Robotics in Numbers” and other such questions as well. Statistical information provides the readers an idea about the aggressive growth of AI as well as the fields which have a higher scope of better jobs and career purposes in the near future as well. The author has discussed some of the top tech firms as well which have their keen interests in Artificial intelligence, Machine Learning, as well as other fields of robotics technology. These include
- Amazon
- Apple
- Microsoft
- IBM Watson
- Intel
- Nvidia
A thorough discussion has been made on startups working to develop newer solutions to modern problems via the help of AI and robotic engineering. The combined effort of startups is often recognized by the big tech firms which provide support to them financially and managerially so that these startups can come up with relevant and proper solutions to various problems.
“Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai has made it clear that it is moving towards an AI-first approach to business. Since then, Google has acquired several promising AI startups such as Deepmind and Mountain View, which leads to the development and creation of hundreds of subsequent AI projects.”
(Ebook Excerpt)
The Future of AI – Beyond Expectations
A common phenomenon that the public is aware of is that AI is going to have a major influence on different types of businesses and organizations in the future which is going to create a series of positive and negative implications. However, some still believe that the future of AI is going to be beyond our expectations. The rapid pace of development of AI technology is most likely going to create some changes that we can’t even predict at the moment.
Chapter 8 and Chapter 9 of this book are based on the futuristic aspect associated with the advancement of AI. The author has provided analysis on where the AI technology is headed and how much are we relying on it to overcome manpower. While this may seem like a benefit, in reality, a massive loss of jobs is affected which is discussed in detail in Chapter 9.
“The Guardian predicts that “…this revolution could leave up to 35% of all workers in the UK, and 47% of those in the US, at risk of being displaced by technology over the next 20 years…” 136 These predictions are based on the current trend in advancements and usage of contemporary robotics and AI.”
(Ebook Excerpt)
While all of this may seem a little worrying, it is always best to improvise, adapt, and overcome the change that is occurring around you. This is what is in the last chapter of the book. There are major ways mentioned by the author in which one can learn new skills as well as to adapt to the upcoming change. The future is all about AI and one can just prepare for it. Those who will fail to prepare for this change will be the losers of this major revolution.
“47% of US jobs are in danger of being replaced by AI technologies and computerization.”
(Ebook Excerpt)
Overview and Conclusion
On a thorough analysis of this book, it turns out to be one of the best ones on the subject of AI and Robotics. A good point about this book is that it has summaries at the end of every chapter. Readers can just have a quick overview of a particular chapter by just reading the summary. Besides, this book has everything in its proper form. The content is suitably arranged beginning from basics and history with ending on future perspective.
One reason why this book is considered authentic and valid with regards to the current era is that it has the most recent statistical figures mentioned. The author has provided references to some of the top organizations and authorities which makes this book precise to the factual and theoretical knowledge that has been mentioned. Besides, the neutral tone of the writer when discussing the benefits and drawbacks also makes this book a non-biased one.
One minor issue that was noted in the book was that IBM Watson was mentioned in great detail in Chapter 6 with the uses and types of robots. Later, it was mentioned briefly in Chapter 7 along with other top tech firms. The writer should have talked about IBM Watson in Chapter 7 directly as its inclusion in Chapter 6 was not very relevant.
Overall, this book has a vast amount of information on the topic of AI and Robotics. It is quite useful for aspiring students, existing job holders, business professionals, corporates, startups, and other related personnel as well. It will act as a guide to AI as well as how to survive in the upcoming era of AI where getting jobs is not going to be easy in any way.