AI and IoT: The Power Couple We Didn’t Know We Needed

Speaking of the latest tech making a splash in the business and IT worlds, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are frequently top the list. And it's easy to see why they mesh so well together. 

With data being the lifeblood of AI, the growing stream generated by connected devices (estimated at a staggering 80 zettabytes by 2025) provides the fuel for AI applications to advance. Individually, AI and IoT are impressive, but when brought together, they can multiply the benefits companies already reap from investments in these technologies.

Outperforming traditional business intelligence tools, AI's ability to analyze data from the IoT is propelling its adoption, with Gartner predicting a jump from 10% to 47% of AI-powered IoT projects by 2027. If you’re as excited about AI development as me, let’s examine AI and IoT’s potential to reshape industries.

AI and IoT = AIoT: A Brief Overview

AI and IoT are two of the most transformative technologies of our time. AI aims to create intelligent machines that can learn and problem-solve, while IoT connects everyday objects to a network, generating vast amounts of data. Due to the need to make sense of all that information, the synergy between AI and IoT was inevitable, and now we're witnessing the next chapter: AIoT.

So, AIoT, or Artificial Intelligence of Things, blends the AI’s analytical capabilities and IoT connectivity technology to create self-operating systems. In practice, it means that IoT devices powered by AI can not only collect information but analyze it and take action on the spot. In this duo, AI is the brain that interprets data and makes decisions, and IoT is the eyes and ears. 

For AIoT to work effectively and without human intervention, it requires the integration of software, smart devices, and platforms. Here’s how it works:

1. Sensors and IoT devices gather information from their surroundings.
2. AI learns the data, searches for patterns, and figures out the context behind the request.
3. AIoT makes a decision and instructs devices on the actions to take.
4. AIoT-driven devices get smarter proportionally to the data volume they receive. And this is the moment where the actual connection between AI and IoT takes place. That’s when AI teaches devices to better distinguish and react to the information and requests they receive.

Why Use AI for IoT  

The IBM Institute's interviews of the top executives revealed that 19% prioritize investments in AI and IoT integration due to the unique benefits this combination brings. So, let’s find out what are those advantages.

Next-level Data Processing

Imagine having a mountain of gold but lacking the tools to refine it. That's the challenge with the increasing data streams from IoT devices. AIoT is the solution that can analyze those petabytes of information gathered by devices with ease. The speed at which AI can turn plenty of data into practical findings is essential today. 

For example, in manufacturing, long delays in response can throw off the whole day's work and cost a pretty penny. A network of AIoT sensors spread throughout a manufacturing facility can monitor machinery for signs of wear or failure. Because this information is processed instantly, IoT solutions can respond faster to new events and changes without interrupting production.

Productivity and Efficiency Gains

Well, AI’s main benefit is the automation of those repetitive tasks that consume precious work hours. With AI-driven IoT architecture, you can automate inventory, routing, warehouse management, and the list goes on while your human talent can shift to more business-critical tasks. 

What’s more, autonomous AIoT solutions can find inefficiencies in your operations to fix. Excessive energy consumption that influences your utility bill or supply chain logistics can be improved for quicker deliveries and lower emissions.

Predictive Maintenance

Imagine knowing exactly when your equipment needs maintenance. AIoT makes it possible.  Sensors collect data, feeding into AI systems that predict potential failures. This advanced predictive maintenance prevents costly downtime, extends equipment life, and optimizes resources. Every industry that heavily relies on complex machinery will see impressive results, and in energy, Deloitte predicts the reduction of maintenance costs by 5-10% thanks to energy software solutions powered by AIoT.

Personalized User Experiences

Amazon is at the top of the game when it comes to making shopping personalized. Customers admire their AI-driven product recommendations that anticipate their needs. Constantly improving in this direction, the company started to use their smart speaker, Alexa learn more about what their customers like and offer even more relevant products. Yet, here is critical not to step over the line regarding data privacy.

How AI and IoT Reshape Different Industries

While the most obvious and well-known AI in IoT applications is about smart household devices (smart homes, thermostats, fridges, etc), I analyzed the AIoT’s impact on different sectors used in broader ways.

Healthcare

Most experts agree that online health monitoring and prevention is the future of healthcare. Now, doctors don't even need to be in the same zip code as their patients to keep an eye on their health, thanks to IoT in healthcare devices and wearables. It's very handy for keeping up with a patient's health history.

IoT and AI also make it easier for doctors to make diagnoses and catch illnesses early. Already, AI surpasses specialists in identifying cancer from scans. And perhaps most impressively, AIoT can use the health information from fitness trackers to predict disease risks and progression.

Smart city

Smart cities stand to gain a lot from blending AI with IoT. Sensors, lights, and other tech solutions driven by AI can make cities safer, greener, and a better place to live. Here's how AIoT and machine learning could change the game:

• Improve traffic flow by tweaking traffic lights to cut down on jams
• Better public safety thanks to AI monitoring systems and devices
• Enhance urban planning
• Adjust public transportation services based on citizens’ demands
• Save power by using it only when and where it's needed
• Plan for more efficient garbage pickup to keep the streets clean

Retail

More and more retail stores starting to use smart cameras with computer vision and facial recognition to spot customers and collect some information to improve shopper experiences. AI-driven IoT cameras can identify customers' gender, age, and products they prefer and help retailers enhance the shopping experience and develop more targeted ads. Amazon Go successfully uses these technologies in their stores.

You can see weighty improvements in logistics and supply chain management, as well. AI and IoT allow you to track goods movements, predict supply chain issues, and optimize product flow among other things.

Manufacturing

Robotics, AI, and IoT are not new technologies in manufacturing. Many factories have been using them to automate and accelerate their processes. Take a chocolate factory for example, where they use Siemens' AI to track the humidity, temperature, and equipment, while deep learning models identify and fix anomalies. In this scenario, AIoT removes hardware dependence, allowing factories to:

• Swiftly address issues
• Streamline operations
• Improve worker safety
• Save costs.

Automotive

The roads of tomorrow are paved with AIoT. The car industry uses a number of AI and IoT applications for vehicle assembly and maintenance. Today, car manufacturers can predict potential part failures before they happen thanks to IoT collecting essential details on car health and AI analyzing that data.

AI and IoT are also behind one of the exciting developments - autonomous cars. They receive information from built-in sensors and cameras to track road conditions, understand driver behavior, and decide the safest speed to travel.  

To Wrap Up

The future looks quite promising for AI and IoT, especially when they work together, as we have seen. The IoT and AI blend will undoubtedly continue to advance and soon become the most popular technology tool for businesses. As with any technology, earlier adoption gives companies a competitive edge over their peers. 

If you’re ready to change business for the better and thrive in the age of intelligence, contact us to get professional assistance in AI development.   

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