With the rapid technological advancements in the industry, Internet of Things has emerged as the transformative force and it has taken even a better shape with the integration of Artificial Intelligence with Internet of Things. The way we interact with the world these days has completely changed. This amalgamation of technologies is referred as Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT). It is a convergence of intelligent and extravagant algorithms that connects the devices and unlocks unprecedented opportunities improving efficiencies and experiences across various domains. As per Statista, AIoT is expected to reach 75 billion in 2025. The similar analysis has been shared by BusinessWire. According to them, they are expected to reach 41.6B and generate 79.4 zettabytes of data by 2025. One of the significant effects of use of AIoT as recorded by Earth.org says that the city of Zurich reduced the streetlight consumption by 70% by automating streetlight brightness according to the traffic flows.
The Concept
This technology majorly aims at using AI techniques with IoT enabled devices for not only collecting and transmitting the data but also to analyse, learn and act accordingly. The traditional IoT systems involved humans for data processing and decision making and hence it limits the effectiveness and scalability of the devices. AIoT overcomes these limitations by imbibing these cognitive capabilities of the AI in IoT devices and hence empowering them to be intelligent systems and make appropriate decisions in the real time.
Driving Forces
There are several factors that are driving the adoption and implementation of AIoT:
- Data Deluge: The volume of the data generated is growing exponentially as more and more IoT devices have been installed in various sectors of the industry and this makes it very important to analyse this data with the help of the machine running algorithms to identify the valuable information and make the appropriate decision based on the analysis of the data extracted through IoT devices.
- Advancements in AI:
With the advancements in AI like deep learning, reinforcement learning and natural language processing, the capabilities of intelligent systems have significantly improved. The complex tasks such as personalised recommendations, predictive maintenance, and anomaly detection have been upgraded tremendously. - Edge Computing: As we see the fantabulous increase in the edge computing, it has paved the way for distributed intelligence which has enabled AI models to be deployed directly on IoT devices or edge gateways. This has led to minimization of latency, enhanced privacy, and security with the features like real – time decision making at the edge of network.
- Industry 4.0:
Considering industry 4.0 AIoT has played a vital role in digital transformation across various sectors like manufacturing supply chain management and logistic operations. The optimization of the production process, automation of the quality control and the maintenance have been significantly catered by AIoT solutions, thereby increasing the productivity, and reducing the operational costs.
Applications Across Industries
The potential applications of AIoT span a wide range of industries:
- Smart Cities: In smart city initiatives, AIoT facilitates intelligent urban planning, traffic management, energy optimization, and environmental monitoring. By analyzing data from sensors, cameras, and other IoT devices, AIoT systems can optimize resource allocation, enhance public safety, and improve the overall quality of life for urban residents.
- Healthcare: In healthcare, AIoT enables remote patient monitoring, predictive diagnostics, and personalized treatment planning. By integrating AI algorithms with wearable devices, medical sensors, and electronic health records, healthcare providers can deliver proactive and personalized care, improve patient outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs.
- Agriculture: In agriculture, AIoT solutions can revolutionize precision farming, crop
management, and livestock monitoring. By leveraging data from IoT sensors, drones, and satellite imagery, farmers can optimize irrigation, fertilization, and pest control practices, thereby increasing crop yields, conserving resources, and promoting sustainable agriculture. - Retail: In retail, AIoT enables personalized customer experiences, inventory optimization, and demand forecasting. By analyzing data from IoT-enabled beacons, RFID tags, and point-of-sale terminals, retailers can tailor marketing campaigns, optimize
product placements, and minimize out-of-stock situations, thereby driving sales and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite its gigantic latent, AIoT faces several challenges and considerations:
- Privacy and Security: Due to its interconnected nature, AIoT have concerns like data privacy and security. Safeguarding sensitive information, preventing unauthorized access, and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations are critical considerations in the design and deployment of AIoT solutions.
- Interoperability: One of the challenges that AIot solutions faces is Interoperability and its integration with the IoT devices. For fostering this, setting standards and having open sources can ease the communication among diverse systems.
- Ethical Implications:
Deploying AIoT solutions faces ethical concerns like algorithmic bias, transparency, and accountability. An ethical framework is required to address these concerns and promote the transparency and fairness.
Case study : Autopilot by Tesla
Autopilot is an advanced driver assistance system utilized in Tesla’s self-driving cars. The vehicles are equipped with external cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and a powerful onboard computer to collect data. This data is later analysed in a deep neural network model to determine the car’s next actions. By implementing autopilot and gathering data, Tesla is enhancing its self-driving capabilities. Hands-free driving is considered an inevitable next step in the automotive industry, promising a safer and more relaxed driving experience. Countries like Germany permitting self-driving cars on the road highlight this as a significant area for AIoT growth.
AIoT Vendors
- Microsoft
- SAP
- AWS
- Oracle
- IBM
- PTC
- GE
- Saleforce
- and many more…
Conclusion
A new era of innovation has evolved as AI continues to get infused in every aspect of our lives. The promising technique of AI unlocks unparallel opportunities like improving the efficiency, productivity and sustainability across multiple fields and industries. AIoT has revolutionized the pattern of how we interact with the world through the power of its intelligent algorithms. It has great potential in reshaping the society and make it a power packed society. However, this may face challenges related to security, privacy, interoperability, and ethics. While dealing with the complexities of the AIoT environment, it is must to take proper care of the ethical principles, promote responsible innovation, and harness the transformative power of AIoT for the benefit of humanity.