Welcome to the exciting and innovative world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Unquestionably, AI has become one of the most transformative technologies of our times, bringing unprecedented changes to the way we live and work. It has moved beyond the confines of science fiction, now playing a critical role in differentiating businesses in the cluttered digital landscape and providing bespoke solutions to complex challenges.

Artificial Intelligence is an area of computer science that focuses on creating machines capable of thinking, learning and problem-solving. The goal is to build systems that can perform tasks that would usually require human cognition, such as understanding natural language, recognising patterns, problem-solving and cognitive learning. AI-powered technology includes Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Neural Networks, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Robotics, each with a plethora of subfields and applications.

Globally, AI investment reached an estimated $50.1 billion in 2020, up 32.4% from 2019, according to IDC. The statistics on AI adoption, even in traditionally risk-averse sectors, are equally impressive. A recent Gartner survey of over 3,000 CIOs revealed that the percentage of enterprises implementing AI grew from 4% to 14% between 2018 and 2019, a staggering 270% increase in just one year. Such steady adoption underscores the ability of AI to transform whole industries, paving the way for unprecedented levels of efficiency and effectiveness.

Interestingly, AI has become a critical aspect of custom software, app, and web development. This is particularly true for organisations, companies and startups that need bespoke systems rather than off-the-shelf ones. Companies like Bradford Apps have leveraged AI’s capabilities to articulate unique technological visions into reality, empowering businesses to outperform their competition and create value for their stakeholders.

From creating personalised user experiences in online shopping to enabling safer driveless cars; from improving early disease detection and treatment in healthcare, to combating climate change by managing energy consumption more efficiently, AI is a cornerstone of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, presenting phenomenal opportunities across all walks of life.

Yet, as influential as AI is, it remains intangible and enigmatic to many. Awareness of its implications and its humanity-centred applications is essential for understanding the future of technology and our role in it. Therefore, even if the subject is encompassing and somewhat dense, it’s essential to dedicate time and effort to analyse, understand and embrace it. The goal of this blog section is to shed light on AI’s many facets and extrapolate how it might continue to evolve.