In 1994, a man walked into a Manhattan audio visual store and saw something astonishing, as well as many of the customers who saw it.
It was a flat screen hanging on the wall with a TV picture being displayed. The width of this display was about 2” and the cost was $18,000. That’s over $40,000 in today’s market.
Fast forward to 2024 and flat screens are the norm. Nowhere or perhaps in a museum would one find one of those bulky cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs that the world was used to for 50 years before that day.
Now when we go to buy a TV, we are looking at all kinds of flat screens, technically called Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs). There are more advanced technologies now as well, but we will focus on the LCDs in this article as they are still very popular in the commercial market.
We will explore the inner workings of these types of TVs, from the liquid crystals, filters, and electricity, and how these elements collaborate to produce the stunning images we see on our TV screens and computer monitors.
Illuminating the Screen
Incandescnt vs. Fluorescent
The LCD’s source of illumination is known as a ‘backlight’. Originally, the backlight comprised fluorescent lamps. This is a step above the well-known incandescent light bulbs that we use in our homes. In other words, incandescent light provides light through the continual heating of a metallic filament, which is constantly using electricity to heat the filament and produce light.
Fluorescent bulbs consume much less electricity than incandescent bulbs because they don’t require the continuous output of electricity to heat them.
Enter Light Emitting Diodes
In more recent years, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have become the standard due to their improved energy efficiency and better control over brightness levels. This energy savings is due to the LEDs not being needed to generate the amount of heat that fluorescent lighting does.
With LCDs, the backlight uniformly illuminates the entire display panel, providing brightness for image formation.
Liquid Crystal Layer
Directly in front of the backlight lies the liquid crystal layer. Liquid crystals are unusual in that they can possess the properties of both liquids and solids. They have the ability to flow like a liquid. This flow is random by nature, but temperature changes can cause these crystals to bypass their natural random state of flux and move in a certain direction. Additionally, adding an electric current through the crystals will also cause them to ‘straighten out’, and in so doing, one can harness the crystal flow allowing a certain degree of light to materialize.
How the Crystals are Harnessed to Produce Light
When electricity is transmitted through the crystals, they become polarized, which causes the molecules to straighten and move in one direction. Similar to when an electric field is sent through a wire, the electrons become polarized and move in one direction from one pole to the other. In the case of crystals, it is the molecules that are affected. They will align and move in a specific direction.
Polarizing the liquid crystals is a crucial component in controlling the amount of light being emitted; in other words, it controls the orientation of the molecules to produce the appropriate amount of luminescence on the TV display, and the result is the formation of images on the screen.
This amount of luminescence is controlled by a polarizing filter. By adding a polarizing filter to the electrically charged molecules, the crystals will align either horizontally or vertically. One direction will block the light and the other direction will allow the light to pass through.
But this is just a black and white situation (pun intended 🙂 It is what happens between the pure black or pure white luminance that go through the crystals that count. In other words, it is the shades of black and white that produce what we see on the screen. Let’s discuss this in more detail.
Enter the Pixel
There is a polarizing filter for each of the LCD molecules. This combination of a crystal and filter is called a pixel – a liquid crystal cell. (The actual components and how the components react within these cells are beyond the scope of this article).
By rotating the filter one way or another regulates the amount of light that will be released. Another way of putting it is the rotation of the filter controls the intensity of the light; thus, the filter can make the pixels very bright, not too bright, or have no brightness at all (blackness), depending upon how much the filter is rotated either way.
For LCDs, the end result is that this specific control of light transmission forms the basis of how images are displayed on the screen, since some pixels will be brighter or darker than their neighbors.
An analogy would be If you look at any black and white photograph, the images are little dots of pure white or pure black and everything in between which forms the figures we see.
We will get to adding color next but understanding the concept of how light is released through pixels is a prerequisite.
Color Filters
In addition to the polarization filters that are attached to each cell, there are the color filters. These filters, typically red, green, and blue (RGB), determine the color of the light that is transmitted through them.
Just as the rotation of the polarization filters determines the shades of black and white for the image, the color filters go one step further and determine the correct combination of colors to obtain for each pixel.
Forming the Image
Whether the initial signal comes from a cable box, streaming device, or a computer screen, there is a set of computer algorithms in the TV that determines the appropriate amount of electrical current for each pixel.
By selectively activating or deactivating the brightness levels of the pixels, the desired image is then formed on the screen.
Conclusion
LCD screens produce images using liquid crystals that have the unique quality to react to electrical current in such a way that will permit just the right amount of light to be emitted from each pixel.
The pixels are cells that contain polarization filters and color filters and by fine-tuning the intensity of the electrical current applied to each pixel and carefully manipulating the polarization of light, the TV can reproduce a vast array of colors and shades.
In 2014, the sci-fi thriller “Lucy” was released in theaters across the country. It starred Scarlett Johanson whose brain became so powerful that she was able to move objects with nothing but a thought.
This may sound far out, but it is actually much closer than you may think. Enter the ‘Link’. A computer chip that is implanted inside the human brain. It can read our thoughts and convert them into digital signals that a computer will understand and respond to.
Although the Link is in its fetal stages, the results are so promising that we can say with confidence that Lucy is here to stay. No more is it a thought of the future (pun intended 🙂)
One example would be a person who wants to browse the web on their iPhone, he/she would control the device by simply thinking about it. This can be particularly useful for those who have paralysis, neurological disorders, or prosthetic limbs, as well as assisting with a range of other disorders where a person is medically incapacitated.
The Makers of the Link
Elon Musk discussing the Neuralink
Neuralink is an advanced neurotechnology company. Elon Musk is the founder. They specialize in developing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). These interfaces allow communication to exist between the human brain and external devices by translating neural activity (movement of brain cells) into digital signals (the electrical impulses (1s and 0s) that computer systems use, called “bits”.
The Neuralink Device
The Link is a tiny, flexible device about the size of a small coin that is surgically embedded into the human skull. It contains thousands of hair-thin electrodes that interface directly with the brain cells. These electrodes read the neural activity and translate them into digital data (the 1s and 0s mentioned above).
This is quite fascinating because there are roughly 86 billion cells in the brain, each cell measuring about 680 microns, which is extremely small. One micron is equal to 0.000039 inches or 1/100 the size of a human hair.
Groundbreaking Medical Features
Wireless Charging
From cell phones to earbuds to EV cars, we all have some device that needs routine charging, maybe twice a day depending upon its use. With the Link, it gets its charge from the skin.
A Robotic Miracle
If you think AI is cool, imagine a robot that surgically implants the device in the brain! That might sound scary but has been proven to work more efficiently than what any human can do, no matter how skilled the surgeon might be.
How Does It Work?
The process involves several steps.
Recording Neural Activity: The Link has thousands of thin, flexible electrodes that are embedded in the brain tissue. These terminals capture the electrical pulses of nearby neurons and their voltage fluctuations. The fluctuations are in analog format, meaning that they act like a sine wave. Digital data is in the form of whether a signal is on (represented by a computer bit of 1) or off (represented by a computer bit of 0). The size of the voltage fluctuations determines which instance it is and is subsequently converted to the appropriate computer bit format.
Analog-to-Digital Conversion: This is a common practice for many devices we use every day, and the Neuralink device is not any different, with the exception that the translation process occurs within the tiny Link chip. The captured analog signals are changed into digital data via the chip’s electronics, which involves amplifying the weak signals, filtering out the noise, and then converting the voltage changes into a series of digital bits.
Feature Extraction: Not all neural activity is converted. The Link’s processing unit analyzes the digital data stream and extracts specific features that are known to be associated with the desired output, such as movement, speech, or sensory perception. This could involve identifying patterns in the timing and frequency of the electrical spikes, or the activity of specific groups of neurons.
Machine Learning Algorithms: Now the AI part. The extracted data is fed into machine learning algorithms that are trained on a large dataset of brain activity. These algorithms map the neural patterns to specific commands, thoughts, or sensations; in other words, they decode the brain’s messages.
Output Generation: Based on the decoded information, the Link can either trigger specific actions (e.g., controlling a computer cursor or prosthetic limb) or generate external signals (e.g., synthetic speech or electrical stimulation for sensory restoration).
How the Link Will Be Applied
Neuralink’s technology has the potential to transform medical technology into the 24th century and beyond.
Human-Computer Interaction: The ability to control devices directly through thought is closer now than ever before.
Medical Applications: Restoring lost sensory and motor functions in individuals with paralysis or neurological disorders.
Cognitive Enhancement: Humans may be able to retain information at an exceptional level, called Augmenting Memory. The possibility of one having extremely long-term memory can have significant advantages for everyone, from students to the elderly who would gain the most benefits.
The Future of Neuralink
The Neuralink technology holds immense potential to reshape our understanding of the brain and its interaction with technology. While challenges remain, ongoing research and development efforts are bringing us closer to a future where brain-computer interfaces will become a reality and the potential for advanced human abilities and our interaction with the world around us will be within our reach!
The world watched in awe as Neil Armstrong put his foot on the surface of the moon on July 21, 1969, and his famous words “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” resonated across the globe.
Now, 50 years later, we begin our lunar quest again. This time with advanced technology only dreamed of in the mid-20th century. A sci-fi fantasy then, but not anymore. Let’s take a look at what’s in store for this new exciting journey!
Artemis
Unlike Neil Armstrong’s day, the Artemis project is led by NASA but includes a collaboration of international partners and is a project designed for greater ventures beyond the moon. A stepping stone if you will, with the final destination – Mars.
Named after the twin sister of Apollo, Artemis is a fitting name for this venture as one of its plans is to put the first woman on the moon. The moon will act as a testing ground for the new technologies put forward and if successful, will pave the way for these systems for deep space exploration.
Another difference from the moon landing of 1969, the new spaceship will drop down on the lunar’s south pole. This is of particular interest to scientists since there exists water and ice in this region. Water is a critical resource for sustaining life and can also be converted into oxygen for breathing and hydrogen for rocket fuel.
This research will lead to the establishment of a sustainable infrastructure that can support a long-term human presence.
In a nutshell, the SLS is the super heavy rocket that will propel the Orion spacecraft and its crew into deep space. This is the first of the two main components of the Artemis project. The SLS consists of a rocket and its boosters that will blast the astronauts to the moon and later to deep space.
It will lift off with 8.8 million pounds of thrust and is equipped with four RS-25 core engines in two boosters, as well as an upper-stage booster, They will be using liquid hydrogen and oxygen as their fuel.
No other rocket in history is going to have the advancements of the SLS. With its ambitious design for deep space, it will contain life support technology for long journeys, as well as advancements in navigation and communications, and will also contain a powerful radiation shield for re-entry.
The Orion Spacecraft
The Orion Spacecraft is the reusable capsule located at the upper component of the SLS where the astronauts will reside and will contain the modules that will land on the moon. Similar to the lunar module that landed on the lunar surface in 1969.
It can provide life support for up to six crew members for up to 21 days. Orion is a critical part of NASA’s Artemis program and will be the rocket used to land on the lunar surface and to prepare for the mission to move on to Mars.
We have all been inundated with newscasts about artificial intelligence and how it is changing our lifestyles, and traffic control is no exception. From the Belt Parkway to the Long Island Expressway and from Brooklyn to Montauk, AI is coming to a town near you.
Here are some ways in which AI is contributing to traffic reduction:
Traffic Prediction and Management: AI algorithms analyze historical traffic patterns, real-time data, and other sources to predict traffic congestion. This information allows authorities to proactively manage traffic flow and implement measures to avoid potential congestion problems.
Smart Traffic Lights: How many times have you been stuck at a light and yelled “Why is this light taking so long? It’s 3:00 am and no one is on the road”? AI-powered traffic light control systems can adjust signal timings based on real-time traffic conditions. These systems are designed to keep traffic moving as optimum as possible.
Route Optimization: Navigation systems use AI algorithms to provide drivers with real-time route recommendations that consider current traffic conditions. This helps distribute traffic across different routes, reducing congestion on commonly used paths.
Autonomous Vehicles: The development and integration of autonomous vehicles can potentially reduce traffic by improving overall traffic efficiency. AI-driven self-driving cars can communicate with each other to optimize spacing and speed, reducing stop-and-go traffic patterns.
Parking Solutions: AI can assist in finding parking spaces efficiently. Smart parking systems use sensors and AI algorithms to guide drivers to available parking spaces, reducing the time spent circling for parking, which contributes to traffic congestion.
Public Transportation Optimization: AI is used to optimize public transportation routes and schedules based on demand and real-time data. This helps ensure that public transportation systems are efficient and can serve more people, potentially reducing the number of individual vehicles on the road.
Traffic Incident Detection: AI systems can analyze data from various sources, such as surveillance cameras and social media, to quickly detect and respond to traffic incidents. Timely management of accidents or road closures can prevent the buildup of congestion.
Dynamic Toll Pricing: AI is utilized to implement dynamic toll pricing based on traffic conditions. Higher tolls during peak hours can encourage the use of alternative transportation or off-peak travel, helping to smooth out traffic flow.
Summary
By combining these AI-driven solutions, cities and transportation authorities can work towards creating more efficient and sustainable transportation systems, ultimately contributing to the reduction of traffic congestion. However, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of these measures depends on their implementation, infrastructure, and public acceptance.
It’s August and you just bought an electric car. You charged it up to 80% capacity (that is the recommended maximum charging) and your dashboard shows 230 miles of available for your car.
Now it is December and your car still shows 230 miles when charged to 80%, but when you start to drive, you notice that the mileage diminishes faster than when you were driving it during the summer. Why is that? Let’s take a look.
Why Do EV (Lithium) Batteries Decrease in Capacity Faster in Winter?
Ion Depletion: Cold weather reduces the chemical activity of the lithium ions. Ions are atoms that have either gained or lost electrons, allowing them the ability to bond with other atoms. This is the normal process in battery charging, but when cold weather comes, the amount of ions in the atoms decreases, thereby reducing the charging process. In other words, the battery can’t store as much energy as it would normally do when in warmer weather.
Viscosity: Cold weather increases the thickness of the electrolyte, known as viscosity. This makes it harder for the ions to move around within the battery, which reduces the battery’s energy, e.g. its ability to deliver power.
Plating: Over repeated charge and discharge cycles, some of the ions can stick onto the surface of the anode, known as lithium plating, which forms a solid layer of lithium metal.
This can reduce the capacity of the battery and potentially lead to short circuits and is more likely to occur at low temperatures or when the battery is charged or discharged too quickly.
Note: At temperatures below freezing, some lithium batteries can lose up to 50% of their juice.
What Can I Do to Compensate for This Loss of Energy?
If you have a garage, use it. Even if the garage is not heated, it would still be a bit warmer than if the car was in your driveway or on the street.
Charge your batteries regularly. This will help to prevent them from discharging too deeply.
Avoid fast charging. Fast charging can generate heat, which can damage the battery and reduce its capacity. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use a fast EV charger, but be cognitive about how often you use one. Maybe in the future, as this technology advances, this won’t be as much of a problem as it is now.
Summary
Lithium batteries, whether in a car or for any device diminish in capacity when in winter time. This is because of the decrease in ion capabilities when in cold weather. There are however a number of things you can do to circumvent this decrease, but they are not 100% reliable after you take the vehicle out for a drive.
Best bet would be to move to a warm climate. Then you never have this problem ????.
As computers gained momentum in the 1980s, the need to store information on a mobile platform was intensifying. Floppy disks were the first portable devices that were invented. They were invented by a team of IBM engineers led by Alan Shugart in 1971 but they didn’t gain popularity until the early 1980s. The disks were very light in weight and would “flop” if you waved them; hence, ‘floppy disks.’
They were large 8″ in diameter disks and could store a maximum of 100 KB of data. That’s about 10 full pages of words plus maybe a few small pictures. So if you had a thesis to write or hundreds of pictures to save, you would have been out of luck.
In 1981, the 3.5-inch floppy disk was introduced, which stored up to 1.44 MB of data. They were hard disks, meaning that they didn’t “flop” but their storage capacity was over 100 times more than the 8″ floppy disks that were initially created.
Floppy Disk Issues
Floppy disks were not without their flaws. They were susceptible to damage from magnets and dust, and could easily be corrupted by physical damage or exposure to heat. They were also slow, with read and write speeds that could be frustratingly slow for users.Despite these limitations, these disks played an important role in the history of computing. They enabled the widespread distribution of software and documents and helped establish the personal computer as a powerful tool for individuals and small businesses.
Today, floppy disks are essentially a relic of the past, but their impact on computing history cannot be overlooked.
The Introduction of the Compact Disk
By the early 2000s, floppy disks were being phased out as other storage options, such as CDs were becoming more popular and they were a revolution in data storage capacity. From 1.44 MB of the 3.5,” floppies came 50 megabytes (MB) to 700 MB of data storage on a CD.
This capacity not only allowed users to store text and image data but also music and videos.
Enter the Flash Drive, AKA USB
Not to be confused with USB cables, these are plastic devices, about an inch long that plug into the USB port, the same port that those cables connect to.
A typical flash drive is a hard plastic device about the size of your thumb, which is why they are sometimes called thumb drives. Their storage capacity blows away any of their predecessor’s CDs or floppies with storage starting with 4 GB up to 256 GB. That is over 1,000 times more storage space than the first hard drives that came onto the market.
OK so you got a bunch of those wires with different looking ends and you don’t know which one of these connects to the device you want to connect to. Here we will unfold that mystery for you!
USB Overview
They are called USB (Universal Serial Bus) cables. There are several types of USB connectors that have been developed over the years, but it is worth noting that USB connectors can have different versions, indicating the supported USB specification and data transfer speeds.
For example, USB 2.0, USB 3.0 (also known as USB 3.1 Gen 1), USB 3.1 (also known as USB 3.1 Gen 2), and USB 3.2 are different versions with varying capabilities.
USB (Universal Serial Bus) cables come in various types, each designed for specific purposes and compatibility with different devices.
Here’s an overview of the most common types of USB cables:
USB Type-A: USB Type-A is the standard and most recognizable USB connector. It has a rectangular shape and a flat, rectangular end. These are most commonly found on computers, laptops, and game consoles. They are used to connect peripherals such as keyboards, mice, printers, external hard drives, and flash drives.
USB Type-B: These connectors are larger than Type-A. They are square-shaped and have beveled corners. You would see them on laptops that connect to a printer or external hard drives.There are various subtypes of Type-B connectors. Let’s take a look.
Standard-B: Standard-B connectors are the ones you would be most familiar with. They connect printers, scanners, and other peripheral devices. They have a square shape with two rounded corners but are less common in modern devices.
Mini-B: Mini-B connectors are smaller than Standard-B and were commonly used with older cameras, MP3 players, and other small electronic devices. They are gradually being phased out in favor of Micro-B connectors.
Micro-B: These connectors are smaller than both Standard-B and Mini-B connectors. They are commonly used with smartphones, tablets, portable hard drives, and other compact devices. Micro-B connectors are reversible, making them more user-friendly. There are two subtypes of Micro-B connectors: Micro-B USB 2.0 and Micro-B USB 3.0.
USB Type-C: Type-C is a newer, versatile, and increasingly popular connector. It features a small, reversible design that allows for easy plug orientation. Type-C cables can be plugged in either way, eliminating the frustration of trying to find the correct orientation. They are used in a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, gaming consoles, and peripherals. Type-C cables have numerous advantages over their predecessors. They support faster data transfer speeds and higher power delivery and can transmit audio and video signals through alternate modes like DisplayPort or HDMI. Type-C connectors are backward compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 standards using appropriate adapters or cables.
USB Mini-A and Mini-AB: Mini-A connectors are smaller and less common than Type-A connectors. They were primarily used in older digital cameras, MP3 players, and other portable devices. USB Mini-AB connectors combine the features of both Mini-A and Mini-B connectors, allowing devices to function as either a USB On-The-Go (OTG) host or a peripheral device.
USB 3.0 Type-A and Type-B: USB 3.0, also known as USB 3.1 Gen 1, introduced faster data transfer speeds compared to USB 2.0. USB 3.0 Type-A connectors are backward compatible with USB 2.0 Type-A ports, while USB 3.0 Type-B connectors provide improved speeds for compatible devices such as external hard drives.
USB 3.1 Type-C: USB 3.1, also known as USB 3.1 Gen 2, further improved data transfer speeds over USB 3.0. USB 3.1 Type-C connectors offer faster speeds, higher power delivery, and support for alternate modes for audio, video, and other protocols. USB 3.1 Type-C cables are backward compatible with USB 3.0 Type-A and Type-B connectors using appropriate adapters or cables.
Summary
It may be confusing in the beginning, but keep in mind that the most used one is the Type-A, and then you can take it from there.
You are a robot, but like the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz, you have no brain. John the human wants to change that, so he filled your brain with a model of a fire engine.
But John also wants you to identify the fire engine by knowing the components that comprise it, so he provides you with this knowledge.
In addition, he provides you with information as to other variations of the fire engine vehicle, meaning that if the parts do not entirely match that of a fire engine, the components may be more closely matched to that of an ambulance or possibly some other type of vehicle.
Now you have the data necessary to identify a fire engine and know what the parts are that encompass it. You can use this knowledge to compare the model to other objects and determine if any of those objects are fire engines or decide that it is something else entirely, and if so, what else could it be?
Congratulations! You are now a machine that can differentiate between objects, or more specifically, you are artificial intelligence!
Ok, we admit this scenario is quite simplified but the idea is to provide the concept of artificial intelligence. So now, let’s dwell into the details of exactly how this works, but before we continue, here are a few technical terms that you should familiarize yourself with. We will be discussing them in more detail further into this article.
Datapoint = The components that make up the model (parts of the fire engine).
Dataset = The combination of all the components together that make up the model (the vehicle as a whole unit).
Supervised Learning = The ability to look at a particular object and compare it to the object (model) that you have in your possession.
AI is Learning
The basic premise behind AI is to create algorithms (computer programs) that can scan unknown data and compare it to data that it is already familiar with. So let’s start by looking at another example.
The AI Mindset
Is this a fork or a spoon? Is it a knife? Well, they both have handles, but this one has spikes. Let me look up what pieces of information I have in my database that look like this item. Oh, I have a piece that resembles this spike pattern, so it must be a fork!
AI algorithms scan the unknown data’s characteristics, called patterns. It then matches those patterns to data it already has recognized, called pattern recognition. The data it recognizes is called labeled data or training data and the complete set of this labeled data is called the dataset. The result is that it decides as to what that unknown item is.
The patterns within the dataset are called data points, also called input points. This whole process of scanning, comparing, and determining is called machine learning. (There are seven steps involved in machine learning and we will touch upon those steps in our Artificial Intelligence 102 article).
For example, if you are going to write a computer program that will allow you to draw a kitchen on the screen, you would need a dataset that contains data points that make up the different items in the kitchen; such as a stove, fridge, sink, as well as utensils to name a few; hence our analysis of the fork in the image above.
Note: The more information (data points) that is input into the dataset, the more precise its algorithm’s determination will be.
Now, let’s go a bit deeper into how a computer program is written.
Writing the Computer Program
We spoke about how computers are programmed using instructions in our bits and bytes article, but as a refresher, let’s recap!
Computer programs, called algorithmstell the computer to do things by reading instructions that a human programmer has entered. One of our examples was a program that distributes funds to an ATM recipient. It was programmed to distribute the funds if there was enough money in the person’s account and not if there wasn’t.
But THIS IS NOT AI since the instructions are specific and there are no variations to decide anything other than “if this, then that”.
In other words, the same situation will occur over and over with only two results. There is no determination that there may be more issues, such as the potential for fraudulent activity.
Bottom line – There is no learning involved.
Writing a Learning Program
The ATM example is limited to two options, but AI is much more intensive than that. It is used to scan thousands of items of data to determine a conclusion.
How Netflix Does It
Did you ever wonder how Netflix shows you movies or TV shows that are tuned to your interests? It does this by examining what your preferences are based on your previous viewings.
The algorithm analyzes large amounts of data, including user preferences, viewing history, ratings, and other relevant information to make personalized recommendations for each user.
It employs machine learning to predict which movies or TV shows the user is likely to enjoy.
It identifies patterns and similarities between users with similar tastes and suggests content that has been positively received by those users but hasn’t been watched by the current user.
For example, if a user has watched science fiction movies, the recommendation might be to suggest other sci-fi films or TV shows that are popular among those users with similar preferences.
The program will learn and adapt as the user continues to interact with the platform, incorporating feedback from their ratings and viewings to refine future recommendations.
By leveraging machine learning, streaming platforms like Netflix can significantly enhance the user experience by providing tailored recommendations, increasing user engagement, and improving customer satisfaction.
This can’t be done using the non-learning ‘if-else’ program we previously spoke about in the ATM example.
A Gmail AI Example
As you type your email, Google reads it and then offers words to accompany the sentence that would coincide with what you are about to type before you have even typed it.
This is called language modeling which uses the Natural Language Process (NPL) model.
In NLP, the algorithm uses a factor of probability that is designed to predict the most likely next word in a sentence based on the previous entry.
AI algorithms feed on data to learn new things.
The more data (data points) that exist, the easier it will be for the model to identify the patterns of an unknown entity.
AI: How it All Works
There are three main types of machine learning: supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning.
Click CC above for closed caption
Supervised Learning
This is the most common type of machine learning. It involves feeding a computer a large amount of data to enable it to recognize patterns from the labeled dataset and make predictions when confronted with new data.
In other words, supervised learning consists of training a computer program to read from a data sample (dataset) to identify what the unknown data is.
How the Machine Thinks with Supervised Learning
Show and Tell: A human labels a dataset with data points that identify the sample set to be a building.
Then the human does the same thing to identify a bridge. This is another classification different from the building classification and is identified with specific patterns that make up a bridge.
The program takes note of the patterns of each classification. If computer instructions were written in plain English, this is what it would say:
This is a bridge. Look at the patterns that make up the bridge. And this is a building. Look at the patterns that make up the building. I can see distinguishable differences in the characteristics between the two. Let me match them up to the unknown data and make a decision on whether this new data is a bridge or a building.
Supervised learning is used in many applications such as image recognition, speech recognition, and natural language processing.
Supervised learning uses a data sample to compare unknown data. The data sample is called a data model.
It’s Raining Cats and Dogs
A supervised learning algorithm could be trained using a set of images called “cats” and “dogs”, and each cat and dog are labeled with data points that distinguish each.
The program would be designed to learn the difference between the animals by using pattern recognition as it scans each image.
A computer instruction (in simplified terms) might be “If you see a pattern of thin lines from the face (whiskers), then this is a cat”.
The result would be that the program would be able to make a distinction of whether the new image it is presented with is that of a cat or dog!
This type of learning involves two categories – cats and dogs. When only two classifications are involved, it is called Binary Classification.
Supervised Learning Usining Multi Classifications
An Example
Suppose you are studying insects and you want to separate flying insects from crawling ones. Well, that’s easy. You take a bug that you found in your backyard and compare it to the ant and fly you already stored on your insect board. In AI terms, this is supervised binary classification.
You immediately know, based on the pattern configuration of the insect which classification it belongs to – the crawlers or the flies. Now you grab more flies and put them in the fly category and do the same with the creepy crawlers for their category.
Let’s say you want to go deeper in the fly classification and find out what type of fly it is, (e.g. house fly, horse fly, fruit fly, horn fly, etc.); but you only have two classifications to compare them two – flies and crawlers, so what do we do? You create more classifications for the fly class.
This is multi-classifications, or more technically called multi-class classifications, which provide additional labeled classes for the algorithm to compare the new data to.
We will delve more into multi-class classifications and how this works in our next article, but for now, just know what binary classifications and multi-class clarifications are.
Unsupervised Learning
Unsupervised learning involves training a computer program without providing any labels or markings to the data. The aim is to enable the program to find (learn) patterns and relationships on its own.
It does this by reading millions of pieces of information and grouping them into categories based on their characteristics or patterns, then making decisions on what the new entity is by matching it up to one of those categories.
In other words, it matches patterns of the unknown data to the groups it created and then labels them without human intervention. This is called clustering.
Anomaly detection is the task of identifying data points that are unusual or different from the rest of the data. This can be useful for tasks such as fraud detection and quality control.
Reinforcement Learning
Reinforcement learning (RL) learns by trial and error, receiving feedback in the form of rewards or penalties for their actions. Any negative number that gets assigned means it is punished.
The higher the negative number, the more the algorithm will learn not to pursue that particular circumstance and will subsequently try again until positive numbers are assigned, called a reward. It will continue this process until it is properly rewarded. The goal of RL is to maximize its rewards over time by finding a sequence of actions that leads to the highest possible reward.
One of the defining features of RL is the use of a feedback loop in which the agent’s actions (an agent is the decision-making unit that is responsible for choosing actions in the environment that was provided to it). The loop permits the agent to learn from experience and adjust its behavior accordingly.
The feedback loop works as follows:
The agent takes an action in its environment.
The environment provides the agent with feedback about the action, such as a reward or punishment.
The agent then updates its policy based on the feedback.
The agent will repeat steps 1-3 until it learns to take actions that lead to desired outcomes (rewards).
RL has been applied to a wide range of problems, such as games, robotics, and autonomous driving. It is particularly useful in scenarios where the action may not be immediately clear and where exploration is necessary to find the best solution.
Conclusion
Overall, these AI methods are widely used in various industries and applications. We will continue to see growth and development as artificial intelligence technology advances.
What are the advances or dangers that AI can bring to the future? Read our article on the Pros and Cons of AI to find out.
Voice search is here to stay and will only be gaining momentum as we proceed into the future and for those that are in marketing or SEOs, it is important to stay up to date with these features and optimize accordingly.
The processes behind voice and text search are quite different. Voice search queries may be longer and more complex, as people tend to ask questions in a conversational style, while text queries are typically shorter and more direct.
Another difference is in the way search results are presented. In text search, results are typically displayed on a search engine results page (SERP), with a list of links and brief descriptions. In contrast, voice search typically provides only the most relevant result, read aloud by a virtual assistant or smart speaker; such as Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Microsoft Corona. This means that optimizing for voice search requires a different approach to traditional SEO, with an emphasis on providing clear, concise answers to common voice questions.
Searching by sound is an SEO component that cannot be overlooked and with the accelerating advancements in artificial intelligence, it is imperative that web developers and SEOs keep a watchful eye on this evolving technology.
The Statistics
As of the writing of this article, 32% of people between the age of 18 and 64 use a voice search medium (Alexa, Siri, Corona, etc.) and that number will only grow as we move to the future.
Entering standard text search queries on mobile devices is commonplace, with over 60% of cell phone users text searching and 57% of mobile users taking advantage of voice search.
In a study in 2021, 66.3 million households in the US were forecasted to own a smart speaker and that forecast has become a reality as of 2023. Voice technology stretches beyond search queries as 44% of homeowners use voice assistants to turn on TVs and lights, as well as an array of other smart home devices currently on the market.
With statistics as these, speaking to robotic assistants is here to stay and will only be growing with new technologies as we proceed through the 2020s and beyond.
How Does Voice Search Work?
The Physics Behind It
If you just need to know that there is an analog-to-digital conversion and are not interested in the specifics of how it’s done, you can skip this part and go to the next section, which is “Where Does the Data Come From?“.
We will summarize the process of how the sound of human speech is converted into machine language, which is filtering and digitizing.
Filtering: Smart speakers and voice assistants are designed to recognize the human voice over background noise and other sounds; hence, they filter out negative sounds so that they can only hear our voices.
Digitizing: All sound is naturally created in analog frequencies (use of sinewaves). Computers cannot decode analog frequencies. They must be converted to the computer language of binary code. Below are the details of how an analog signal is converted to digital.
The Analog Conversion Process
|n order to make this conversion, an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) is required. The ADC works by sampling the analog signal at regular intervals and converting each sample into a digital value.
The steps are as follows:
Sampling: The first step is to sample the analog signal at a fixed interval. The sampling rate must be high enough to capture all the frequencies of interest in the analog signal. The Nyquist-Shannon sampling theorem states that the sampling rate must be at least twice the highest frequency in the signal. Sampling means taking regular measurements of the amplitude (or voltage) of the signal at specific points in time and converting those measurements into a digital signal. Sampling is necessary in order to convert analog sound waves into digital signals, which are easier to store, transmit, and process using digital systems such as computers or microcontrollers. The rate at which the analog signal is sampled, known as the sampling rate or sampling frequency, is important because it determines the level of detail that can be captured in the digital signal. Sampling an analog signal is an important step in converting it to a digital signal that can be analyzed, manipulated, or transmitted using digital systems.
Quantization: Once the analog signal is sampled, the next step involves assigning a digital value to each sample based on its amplitude. The resolution of the quantization process is determined by the number of bits used to represent each sample. The higher the number of bits, the greater the resolution of the digital signal.
Encoding: The final step is to encode the quantized samples into a digital format. This can be done using various encoding techniques such as pulse code modulation (PCM) or delta modulation.
Overall, the main process of converting analog to digital frequencies involves sampling, quantization, and encoding. The resulting digital signal can then be processed using digital signal processing techniques.
In summary: Smart speakers and voice assistants take in the audio from a person’s speech and convert it to machine language.
Where Does the Data Come From?
Information gathered from smart speakers and voice assistants pulls data from an aggregate of sources.
If you want your business to grow, you must be attentive to where content for voice search is collected so that you can make intelligent decisions regarding how to optimize for these devices.
Amazon Alexa
When Alexa responds to a query, it relies on Microsoft’s Bing search engine for the answer. Why? Because Amazon, as well as Microsoft, are in direct competition with Google, even though Google has the most popular search engine in the world.
Amazon’s refusal to use Google for audio responses is not something to be concerned about. After all, Bing’s search algorithms are very similar to Google’s.
With that said, if a person speaks to Alexa with a specific request, (e.g. “What’s the weather today?”), Alexa can pull that information from a database associated with that request. In this case, Alexa will connect to Accuweather. The device can access Wikipedia and Yelp if it needs to as well.
Apple Siri
Initially, Apple used Bing as its default search engine, but in 2017, Apple partnered with Google. Now, when you say “Hey Siri”, you can expect Siri to access the immense data repository from Google and supply the answer. This applies to the Safari browser for text searches as well.
There is a caveat though. When it comes to local business searches, Siri will call on Apple Maps data and will use Yelp for review information.
Microsoft Cortona
This one is probably the most straightforward out of all of the search engines, as Cortona relies on what else but Microsoft Bing for its information.
Google Assistant
OK, this one’s a no-brainer. Google can currently index trillions of pages to retrieve information and since this also applies to Apple’s Siri, this section is of most importance if you want to optimize voice search for these voice assistants.
In most cases, Google and Siri will read from Google’s featured snippet.
So What is a Featured Snippet?
Featured snippets are what you see after you run a Google search query. It is a paragraph that appears at the top of the page that summarizes the answer to a question.
The information that Google applies to the snippet is gathered from, what Google determines to be the most reliable source (website) for that information.
How Does Google Determine a Featured Snippet?
For a snippet to be posted by Google, it needs to know that the source is trustworthy via its domain authority, link juice and high-quality content, to name three important organic factors, as any SEOs would already know, but in addition to these factors, Google will defer to “HowTo” and FAQ pages most often to pull in the snippet.
Is Structured Data Needed?
Structured data is extra code that helps Google better understand what the page or parts of the page are about.
One might wonder if structured data has to be used in order to provide the featured snippet? The answer is no. As per Google, as long as the web page is optimized properly and contains the questions that equate to the user’s query or voice search in this case, structured data is not necessary; however, if it wouldn’t hurt to put it in, as we all are aware that nothing is static in the SEO world and this rule can easily change in the future.
The reason why Google focuses on “HowTo” and FAQ pages is that their content reflects that of human speech. For example, an FAQ page on EV cars may have the question “How long do EV batteries last?” – That is exactly how a person would ask a voice assistant that same question!
An ‘Action’ for Google Assistant is created, equivalent to an Alexa Skill and Google will read the snippet back to the user to answer the question he/she asked.
Yelp: We all know that reviews are of the utmost importance, so check out Yelp for your or your client’s business and build on those reviews! Legitimately of course.
Siri
Google SEO: If you are already optimizing for Google’s search, just keep up the good work.
Apple Factors: Where you might not be fully optimized is with Apple Maps, so get going. Start by registering with Apple Business Connect.
Yelp: And now Yelp is back in the picture!
Cortona
Bing: As mentioned, become an SEO Bing expert and you are ready to ask Cortona anything.
Google
Besides the standard organic optimization, focus on schema markup for HowTo and FAQ articles for voice search, which, if you’re lucky, will be shown on the SERP as a featured snippet.
There you have it. How to optimize for voice search. Let’s get these robots configured so that our businesses will be the first thing you hear from your voice assistant!
Are you afraid of what AI can do or are you looking forward to the benefits it can provide? Part of your decision would be based on whether you feel that the glass is half full or half empty, but the reality is that there are always consequences to technological advancements. Hopefully, we can honestly say a lot of it will be for the good of humankind, but let’s not be naive and think three won’t be those nefarious individuals looking to selfishly benefit at the expense of the rest of us.
One example would be the development of the atom bomb, which was the result of Einstein’s theory of relativity, even though the scientist had no idea of the frightening consequences his theory would bring.
Enter AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing field that has the potential to transform our world in countless ways. From healthcare to finance, education and transportation, AI can benefit us in a myriad of ways, but not everyone is on board with this as we will see in this article.
Regardless, artificial intelligence is advancing at an exceptional rate whether we like it or not, as our AI avatars explain below.
So let’s take a look at both the positives and negatives of artificial intelligence and what it can potentially have for us and then you can decide.
The Benefits
Advancement on Healthcare
One of the most significant benefits of AI is its potential to revolutionize healthcare. AI can analyze vast amounts of medical data, including patient records, lab results and imaging studies.
With this information, its algorithms can detect patterns and make predictions that could help doctors diagnose and treat diseases more accurately and quickly than ever before. It can also help identify high-risk patients, allowing doctors to intervene early and prevent diseases from progressing.
Transportation
Artificial intelligence can be used to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion and subsequently, travel time for busy commuters.
Moving not too far into the future are autonomous vehicles – cars that drive themselves. There are some being tested now, such as Teslar and Google and Teslar already has autonomous vehicles on the market, but a driver must remain inside.
When it does become mainstream, self-driving cars, buses and trains have the potential to significantly reduce accidents, traffic congestion, and pollution. By removing the human element from driving, these vehicles can make our roads safer and more efficient.
Education
Artificial intelligence can also be used to improve education. AI-powered tutoring systems can provide personalized, adaptive learning experiences for students of all ages and abilities.
By analyzing a student’s learning style, strengths and weaknesses, these systems can create customized lesson plans that help them learn more effectively. This can lead to improved academic outcomes and greater educational equity, as students who may struggle with traditional teaching methods can receive tailored instruction that meets their needs.
One caveat is the temptation for students to cheat by using apps such as Chat GPT, but alert teachers should be able to tell the difference by determining if the student’s writing style has changed. With that said, this will still be a challenge for educators.
Finance
Ai can be used to detect fraud, manage risk and optimize investments. By analyzing financial data, machine learning algorithms can detect patterns that may indicate fraudulent activity, alerting financial institutions to potential threats before they cause significant damage.
Additionally, it can help financial institutions manage risk more effectively by predicting market fluctuations and identifying potential investments that offer high returns with low risk.
Law Enforcement
AI-powered surveillance systems can detect potential threats in public spaces, alerting law enforcement and allowing them to respond more quickly.
It can also be used to analyze crime data, helping law enforcement identify patterns and allocate resources more effectively. Indeed, New York City Mayor Eric Adams introduced crime-fighting robots to the Times Square area and if they prove productive, they will be placed all over the city.
The Environment
By analyzing environmental data, AI can help us understand the impacts of human activity on the planet and develop strategies to mitigate them. For example, it can help us optimize energy consumption, reduce waste and improve recycling efforts. Additionally, AI can help us predict and respond to natural disasters, reducing their impact on human lives and property.
The Negatives
Of course, as with any powerful technology, AI also poses some risks and challenges. One concern is the potential for it to be used in ways that violate privacy or human rights.
Additionally, the use of AI in decision-making processes could result in biases or discrimination if the algorithms are not carefully designed and monitored. Finally, there is the risk that AI could become too powerful, leading to unintended consequences or even threatening human existence.
To mitigate these risks, we must approach AI development with caution and foresight. We must ensure that AI is developed and used in ways that prioritize human welfare and respect human rights. This requires ongoing dialogue and collaboration between technologists, policymakers and the public, as well as strict laws that prohibit collusion and/or intentionally skewing the algorithms.
Potential Dangers
Artificial Intelligence can pose significant dangers that need to be addressed. Similar to the potential dangers of the use of quantum computers, the same threats are associated with AI.
The Labor Question
No doubt, unemployment due to artificial intelligence is a major concern. As this technology advances, it becomes increasingly capable of performing tasks that were once done by humans, leading to job loss and economic disruption.
For example, self-driving cars have the potential to replace human drivers, which would lead to unemployment in the transportation sector. This could result in a significant reduction in the workforce and an increase in social inequality.
Discrimination
Another danger is its ability to perpetuate biases and discrimination. Algorithms are designed to learn from data, and if the data used is biased, the AI will also be biased. This can result in unfair decisions being made, such as in hiring, lending, or criminal justice. It can have significant negative impacts on individuals and communities.
The Military
AI could pose a significant threat to global security. With technological advancements increasing in this arena technology, it is becoming increasingly possible for computers to be used in cyber-attacks or even to control weapons systems. This could lead to significant risks and damages, such as loss of life or damage to critical infrastructure.
Malicious Financial Behavior
The financial markets would most likely be the most affected by artificial intelligence, both for good and bad. We have already discussed the good, but the bad is already a concern. There can be serious consequences that could affect the banks and stock market as nefarious individuals try to override the algorithms with corrupt data and computer instructions. The expression “What’s in your wallet” will have a much greater significance should malicious AI alter your bank accounts.
A Question of Morals
Finally, the development of AI could also pose ethical and moral dilemmas. As these algorithms become more intelligent, questions arise about their autonomy and decision-making capabilities. If an AI system makes a decision that is morally or ethically questionable, who is held accountable? What happens if an AI system is programmed to harm humans or perform unethical tasks?
AI in a Nutshell
Artificial intelligence can help us solve some of the biggest challenges facing our society. However, we must approach AI with caution and foresight, taking steps to mitigate risks and ensure that this technology is used in ways that prioritize humanity and respect human rights. With careful planning and collaboration, we can harness the power of Artificial Intelligence to create a better future for all!