AI and IoT

Internet of Things (IoT) refers to sensors or devices (things) connected to the internet and can gather and process data into a form that can be used to make smart decisions. Some smart devices that you might have come across include wearable devices, door locks, and smart cars, among others.

Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, is machines' ability to mimic human intelligence, making machines think and act like humans. 

Artificial Intelligence meets the internet of things

Many professionals say that there is no IoT without AI. Although the statement is not entirely true, it just shows the importance of AI in IoT. However, IoT is more about data collection, which gives organizations actionable insight that enables them to improve their productivity, build better products and enhance their processes.  

Combining AI and IoT gives us AIoT, which blends the intelligence in AI with the ability to smartly collect data and process it to be used in decision-making. While IoT collects all data and transfers it to storage facilities, it is mainly the cloud- AI helps simulate machines and act or respond to it accordingly. In devices such as thermostats, sensors collect data on the environment but do not decide on the action needed. Rather, the AI component built into the IoT devices helps make intelligent decisions that allow the air conditioner to adjust the room temperature accordingly, based on the data received. Another example is the sensors used to manage equipment in manufacturing companies. The sensors collect data about the condition or the state of the equipment, and the AI component decides if the equipment needs maintenance or not. If it needs maintenance, it alerts the user, who informs the mechanic on the same. ASHRAE is an example of companies that are known for such intelligent air-conditioners.

Benefits of blending AI with IoT

• Enhanced customer experience

Blending IoT with AI can be of great importance because companies can take advantage of many AIoT devices to learn about the users and their preferences and adjust their products or services accordingly. Some smart devices such as thermostats can adjust temperatures by themselves without any human intervention.

• Cut costs

In the industrial setup, machine breakdowns can cause a lot of losses to any organization. They are a common problem that is often unplanned and leads to thousands of dollars an hour if not properly planned. However, the collaboration between IoT and AI can help monitor equipment and identify patterns that can help predict possible machine failures in time. IoT takes advantage of AI’s ability to sift through data and draw patterns on possible machine failure.

• Development of new products and services

AIoT can directly help in developing new, powerful products and services. This can be achieved by collecting, processing, and analyzing data to make informed, human-like decisions depending on the situation.

AI and IoT can be applied in traffic management, self-driving cars, smart homes, body sensors and can also be used in robots for manufacturing. As IoT sensors and devices continue gaining fame and affordability, more and more organizations will adopt them to reduce costs, increase income, and improve processes. The massive amounts of data generated by various devices mean that humans will not work efficiently on it. This is where AIoT will come in handy.