Google sees AI turning popular

AI CAN BE USED TO PREDICT SALES PATTERN AND MAKE MANUFACTURING SMARTER BY REDUCING HUMAN INTERVENTION

NEW DELHI: Artificial intelligence (AI), once a boon for science fiction movies, is set to insinuate itself into every nook and cranny of our lives, according to internet giant Alphabet, nee Google.

Google’s artificial intelligence chief John Giannandrea, who calls computers “dumb”, sees more companies adopting the AI technology in India, especially in the financial services, healthcare and manufacturing sectors.

In its pursuit to become an AI-first company, Google will give $20 million to Indian startups to encourage wider adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques.

It is uploading these technologies in the cloud so that businesses and individuals can use these after making a payment, he said.

Giannandrea is optimistic that these technologies will turn popular. “Society adapts to latest technology. People nowadays are performing more intellectual roles than 50 years ago.”

At Nasscom 10,000 Startups Change Makers Summit, after e-commerce, the largest number of applications was filed in financial-tech, AI and IoT sectors. Nasscom is evaluating these companies for funding and government grants.

Other large companies are also investing in artificial intelligence. Microsoft plans to build AI capabilities across applications, services and infrastructure, and transform what people and organisations do.

“Microsoft has an approach … that seeks to democratise AI, to take it from the ivory towers and make it accessible for all,” said Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, at Microsoft Ignite 2016 technology conference held last month.

IBM’s AI analytics Watson has been deployed at Manipal Hospitals to treat cancer better.