Augmented Intelligence

Augmented intelligence systems are designed to work with humans to improve their decision-making, learning, creativity, and productivity. Augmented intelligence is also known as intelligence amplification (IA) or cognitive augmentation.

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What is the difference between AI and augmented intelligence?

AI is a broad field that encompasses various types of technologies that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning, perception, and problem-solving. AI can be divided into two categories: narrow AI and general AI. Narrow AI refers to systems that can perform specific tasks, such as facial recognition, speech recognition, or chess playing. General AI refers to systems that can exhibit human-like intelligence across a wide range of domains, such as understanding natural language, generating art, or having emotions. General AI is still a hypothetical concept and has not been achieved yet.

Augmented intelligence is a subset of AI that focuses on using AI technologies to assist humans, rather than replace them. Augmented intelligence systems are designed to complement human intelligence, not compete with it. Augmented intelligence systems can provide humans with data, insights, suggestions, feedback, or automation, depending on the context and the user’s needs. Augmented intelligence systems can also learn from human feedback and adapt to human preferences and goals.

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What is augmented intelligence focus?

Augmented intelligence focuses on using AI technologies to enhance human performance and experience in various domains and applications. Some of the domains and applications where augmented intelligence can be applied are:

1. Education: Augmented intelligence can help teachers and students personalize learning, provide feedback, assess progress, and create engaging and interactive content.
2. Healthcare: Augmented intelligence can help doctors and patients diagnose diseases, recommend treatments, monitor health, and provide emotional support.
3. Business: Augmented intelligence can help managers and employees optimize processes, analyze data, generate insights, improve customer service, and foster innovation.
4. Entertainment: Augmented intelligence can help artists and consumers create and enjoy immersive and interactive content, such as games, music, movies, and art.
5. Social: Augmented intelligence can help people communicate, collaborate, socialize, and empathize with each other, across different languages, cultures, and backgrounds.

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Is augmented intelligence the future?

Augmented intelligence is already a present reality, as many of the devices and services we use every day incorporate some form of AI technology to assist us. For example, we use voice assistants, such as Siri or Alexa, to search for information, control smart devices, or play music. We use navigation apps, such as Google Maps or Waze, to find the best routes, avoid traffic, or explore new places. We use social media platforms, such as Facebook or Instagram, to connect with friends, share content, or discover new interests.

However, augmented intelligence is also a future trend, as AI technologies continue to evolve and improve, and new applications and opportunities emerge. According to Gartner, by 2030, decision support and augmentation will account for 44% of the global AI-derived business value, surpassing all other types of AI initiatives. Augmented intelligence will also have a significant impact on society, as it will enable humans to achieve more, learn faster, and live better.

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What is augmented reality?

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital content, such as images, sounds, or text, onto the real-world environment, creating a mixed reality experience. AR can be accessed through various devices, such as smartphones, tablets, glasses, or headsets. AR can enhance the perception and interaction of the user with the physical world, by providing additional information, entertainment, or guidance.

Augmented reality is closely related to augmented intelligence, as both technologies aim to augment the human experience with digital elements. However, augmented reality focuses more on the visual and sensory aspects, while augmented intelligence focuses more on the cognitive and decision-making aspects. Augmented reality can also be seen as a form of augmented intelligence, as it can provide data and insights that can help the user make better decisions or actions.

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Examples

There are many examples of augmented intelligence systems in various domains and applications. Here are some of them:

1. IBM Watson: IBM Watson is a platform that provides various AI services and solutions for various industries and domains, such as healthcare, education, business, and finance. Watson can understand natural language, analyze data, generate insights, and interact with humans. Watson can also learn from human feedback and data, and improve over time. Some of the applications of Watson include Watson Assistant, a conversational AI agent that can provide customer service, technical support, or personal assistance; Watson Discovery, a data analysis tool that can extract insights from structured and unstructured data; and Watson Health, a healthcare solution that can help doctors and patients with diagnosis, treatment, and research.
2. Google Assistant: Google Assistant is a voice-activated AI assistant that can help users with various tasks and queries, such as searching for information, setting reminders, playing music, or controlling smart devices. Google Assistant can also engage in natural and personalized conversations with users, and provide proactive suggestions and recommendations. Google Assistant can be accessed through various devices, such as smartphones, tablets, speakers, or smart displays. Some of the features of Google Assistant include Google Lens, a visual search tool that can identify objects, text, or landmarks; Google Duplex, a service that can make phone calls on behalf of the user, such as booking appointments or reservations; and Google Translate, a service that can translate speech or text across different languages.
3. Microsoft Cortana: Microsoft Cortana is a personal AI assistant that can help users with various tasks and queries, such as managing calendars, sending emails, or checking the weather. Cortana can also integrate with various Microsoft products and services, such as Windows, Office, Outlook, or Skype. Cortana can also learn from user behavior and preferences, and provide personalized and contextual assistance. Some of the features of Cortana include Cortana Skills, a platform that allows developers to create and publish voice-based applications for Cortana; Cortana Devices, a range of devices that can access Cortana, such as speakers, headphones, or thermostats; and Cortana Intelligence Suite, a set of tools and services that can help businesses with data analysis, machine learning, and cognitive services.

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Related Terms

Some of the related terms to augmented intelligence are:

1. Artificial intelligence: The field of computer science that deals with creating machines or systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning, perception, and problem-solving.
2. Machine learning: A subset of artificial intelligence that involves creating systems that can learn from data and improve from experience, without being explicitly programmed.
3. Deep learning: A subset of machine learning that involves creating systems that can learn from complex and large-scale data, using multiple layers of artificial neural networks.
4. Natural language processing: A subset of artificial intelligence that involves creating systems that can understand, interpret, and manipulate human language, such as speech or text.
5. Computer vision: A subset of artificial intelligence that involves creating systems that can understand and analyze visual information, such as images or videos.
6. Augmented reality: A technology that overlays digital content, such as images, sounds, or text, onto the real-world environment, creating a mixed reality experience.
7. Intelligence amplification: Another term for augmented intelligence, which emphasizes the role of AI in enhancing human intelligence, rather than replacing it.
8. Cognitive augmentation: Another term for augmented intelligence, which emphasizes the role of AI in enhancing human cognition, such as memory, attention, or creativity.

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Conclusion

Augmented intelligence is a term that describes the use of artificial intelligence technologies to enhance human capabilities, rather than replace them. Augmented intelligence systems are designed to work with humans to improve their decision-making, learning, creativity, and productivity. Augmented intelligence is also known as intelligence amplification or cognitive augmentation.

Augmented intelligence is different from artificial intelligence, as it focuses on using AI technologies to assist humans, not replace them. Augmented intelligence systems can provide humans with data, insights, suggestions, feedback, or automation, depending on the context and the user’s needs. Augmented intelligence systems can also learn from human feedback and adapt to human preferences and goals.

Augmented intelligence can be applied to various domains and applications, such as education, healthcare, business, entertainment, and social. Augmented intelligence can help teachers and students personalize learning, doctors and patients diagnose diseases, managers and employees optimize processes, artists and consumers create and enjoy immersive content, and people communicate, collaborate, socialize, and empathize with each other.

Augmented intelligence is already a present reality, as many of the devices and services we use every day incorporate some form of AI technology to assist us. However, augmented intelligence is also a future trend, as AI technologies continue to evolve and improve, and new applications and opportunities emerge. Augmented intelligence will have a significant impact on society, as it will enable humans to achieve more, learn faster, and live better.

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References

1. https://digitalreality.ieee.org/publications/what-is-augmented-intelligence
2. https://builtin.com/artificial-intelligence/augmented-intelligence
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality
4. https://cmr.berkeley.edu/2022/05/how-augmented-intelligence-is-bringing-the-focus-back-on-the-human/
5. https://www.ibm.com/watsonx
6. https://assistant.google.com/
7. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/cortana