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A Byte-Sized Insights Article!Byte-Sized Insights is the blog and newsletter page from The Little Web Design Shop, LLC located in Mount Olive, Mississippi. This blog invites guests to submit articles by emailing blog@webdesignshop.us.
Topics can include anything related to marketing, web design, brochure design, online services, social media, starting or selling a business, business management, and business legalities.
Artificial Intelligence
Hype or has it been with us for years?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere these days. It headlines news stories, powers smart devices, and sparks heated debates about the future of humanity. But while the current buzz might make it seem like AI is a sudden, futuristic invention, the truth is much more grounded—and surprisingly familiar. So, the big question is: Is AI just hype, or has it been with us all along?
Firstly, what is an AI tool? Let us clearly define AI and consider if the hype is worth it!
An AI tool is a software application that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to perform specific tasks and solve problems. AI tools work by using machine learning algorithms to analyze data and make decisions based on patterns and trends in the data. Different industries implement AI tools; from healthcare and finance to marketing and education, AI tools are automating tasks, analyzing data, and improving decision-making.
Early browsers were basic AI tools! Today, it seems that any website that offers an online solution or service classifies itself as an AI tool! However, in my view, there is a tighter definition that we should be using.
“An AI tool processes information that is submitted, inspects and implements algorithms and finally converts that information into something else or starts a workflow.”
The hype is real – and there are multiple good reasons!
AI has undoubtedly captured the public imagination. From ChatGPT and self-driving cars to facial recognition and real-time language translation, today’s AI can feel like something out of science fiction. Startups are raising millions, corporations are restructuring around it, and governments are racing to regulate it.
The reason for the hype? AI’s capabilities have taken a massive leap thanks to advancements in computing power, big data, and machine learning. It is not irrational to think that AI is new and untested. What used to be experimental is now part of everyday life, and everyone uses AI in at least one form every day without even knowing it.
AI tools people use today that have been around for a while include:
- Email spam filters use basic AI algorithms to separate junk mail from your inbox.
- Built on decades-old concepts, voice assistants like Siri or Alexa apps use speech recognition and natural language processing.
- Google Search and recommendation engines (think Netflix or Amazon) have used AI to personalize results for years.
- Banking fraud detection relies on pattern recognition artificial intelligence to flag unusual transactions.
These applications do not always look like robots or digital assistants, but by the truest definition, they are artificial intelligence tools!
What is the difference between “AI” and everyday technology?
One reason AI feels like hype is that the definition is constantly evolving. When technology is new and mysterious, the world labels it as “AI.” Once it becomes dependable and integrated into daily life, people just call it “software” or “automation.” This definition transition is known as the “AI effect.”
The AI we are seeing today is more powerful and visible than ever to the average person. The difference lies in scale and accessibility. Tools like ChatGPT make advanced language processing available to anyone with a smartphone or computer. AI art generators, customer service bots, and data analysis tools, are now an integrated into workflows across industries.
More recently developed AI tools that “average folks” are now using are:
Both Hype and History
AI is both overhyped and deeply familiar. Yes, it is generating more headlines than ever. But no, it did not suddenly appear out of thin air. Software applications we rely on today have been using artificial intelligence for years. Since the Enigma Machine built by Alan Turing that cracked secret messages sent by the German military in World War II to modern online tools, AI is now a solid part of the world’s history! The hype is helping accelerate adoption, funding, and innovation. But behind the scenes, AI has already been part of our lives for years and it is highly likely to stay, whether we choose to call it!
AI’s ability to learn from massive amounts of data and improve over time is true but can also be misleading. There is a group of people who would go as far as saying that AI is disruptive and destructive. We have all watched movies or read books that show how automation and a computer that can teach itself can cause the end of the world.
To everyone, I issue a word or warning…use AI tools but use them with caution…be prepared to review, edit and make sure the results are really what you are looking for!
About the Author
Alyson Stasek is the owner of The Little Web Design Shop, LLC based in Mount Olive, Mississippi. The Web Design Shop works with small businesses to help them with their online identity, website, social media, marketing, and search engine optimization.
Essentially, The Web Design Shop helps small businesses to grow, succeed and to develop an online identity and brand that will take them into the future. This can include helping right from the beginning and the initial concept for a company. Services include designing of a logo, writing a business plan, domain & hosting purchases, email, and set up social media accounts, in addition to web design, development and marketing support.
The road is long, and full of distractions and hazards. Let The Little Web Design Shop help guide you and support you.
www.WebDesignShop.us | Office 601 667 0009 | info@WebDesignShop.us | Cell 601 439 0932
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