From overnight success to decades in the making, artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant strides in recent years, reshaping industries and revolutionising the way we live our lives. The recent popularity of ChatGPT, often perceived as an overnight success, is a prime example of AI’s impact. The rise of AI, including breakthroughs like ChatGPT, has been a topic of discussion for quite some time, and as we delve into its history, we can see that the seeds were planted many years ago.
Back in 2017, we ran a customer event at the Google offices; we talked about Google being mobile first and how they were shifting to being AI-first. Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, was quoted at the time “In the long run, we’re evolving in computing from a ‘mobile-first’ to an ‘AI-first’ world’.
During the presentation, a video was played that demonstrated the capabilities of an AI assistant (you can watch the video above) answering a series of questions related to various topics. This video, which dates back to 2016, reveals the impressive progress that had already been made in AI technology.
The AI assistant in the video accurately provided information such as the time in Tokyo when it was 2 pm in San Francisco, the sunrise time in Tokyo on December 23, 2021, and the number of days between specific dates. The AI also offered detailed demographic data for Japan, China, India, Germany, France, and Italy. In addition, the AI calculated monthly mortgage payments based on different down payments and interest rates.
Beyond answering simple questions, the AI demonstrated the ability to understand and exclude specific categories when generating search results. In the example, the AI was asked to provide a list of Asian restaurants, excluding Chinese and Japanese cuisines. The AI promptly delivered the requested results, showcasing its ability to cater to specific user preferences.
This video was a testament to the AI revolution that was already in play. Fast forward to today, and we can see that AI has indeed accelerated, with developments that continue to amaze us. From virtual assistants like Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa to applications in healthcare, finance, and other industries, AI has become an integral part of our daily lives.
As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more incredible innovations in the coming years. AI will play an increasingly significant role in solving complex problems, enhancing human capabilities, and improving our overall quality of life. We must also remain mindful of the ethical implications and potential challenges that come with AI advancements, ensuring that we develop and implement these technologies responsibly.
In conclusion, the AI revolution has been a long time coming. The progress made in the last decade is nothing short of extraordinary, and as AI continues to evolve, we can look forward to a future filled with even more incredible advancements.
