5 Valuable Examples of AI for Good

Mimi Sarwar, Writer
@uxconnections

From revolutionising healthcare to offering tailored educational programs, here are some valuable examples of how AI is being used for good

The potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to do good can be overlooked amongst the air of concern over how it’s taking over jobs and the world, according to some. Giant technology masters such as IBM, Microsoft, Huawei and Google have dedicated entire sections of their business to the technology. These companies commit resources to create AI solutions for good through supporting developers to build the future of AI. There are many ways in which AI works in harmony with our world resulting in a host of benefits. Here are 5 valuable examples of using artificial intelligence for good by addressing the most difficult challenges facing society today.

1. A Solution for World Hunger

The United Nations estimates that we will need to increase the world’s food production by 70% in order to feed the entire population by 2050. In an expanding population where some cannot reach adequate food resources, this statistic can raise a sense of alarm. However, AI can provide a smart, reliable answer to this issue by developing healthy seeds, detecting disease for more immediate interventions, utilising herbicide accurately and generally maximising crop production.

2. Revolutionising Healthcare

AI is already transforming healthcare for good. Its positive involvement is fuelled by assisting diagnoses and detecting disease and illness before medical professionals and healthcare staff come on board. Within the healthcare system, AI adequately supports the large volume of information that it holds and sees to it as necessary. AI has also participated in the development of drug therapies and medicines, including being present in patient’s surgeries. On the horizon are opportunities for the accessibility of intuitive information, including algorithms to predict demand for hospital beds.

3. Accessibility for People with a Disability

According to Humanity & Inclusion, “One billion people worldwide live with some form of disability, making up around 15% of the global population”. Humanity & Inclusion also reveal that the majority of people with disabilities live in developing countries. AI can be used to improve their accessibility and quality of life. It can boost employment, enhance daily life and encourage people living with disabilities to communicate. AI has made leaps in the technological world from narrating what it “sees” to those with visual impairments to the development of books for deaf children. Promising apps and tools that are powered by AI’s innovative machine learning are dramatically improving accessibility for those who need it the most.

4. Tailoring Education

With students studying at different paces and in different ways, AI can help them to learn better, excel and achieve results through using intelligent technology. AI tools can help minimise and alleviate the tedious task of grading, highlight where improvements need to be made on a course, and AI tutors can be on hand when students require help and feedback. Machine learning is paving the smart way to developing an education system with rich, customised information.

5. Tackling Climate Change

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues our planet is facing today. AI is taking the lead in developing ways for technology to improve the climate change issue. From measuring where carbon is coming from and monitoring the effects of extreme weather to intelligent simulations of climate informatics, AI tools are taking the main stage of the technological world and developing an effective strategy to tackle climate change head-on. 

Organisations are stepping up with AI-powered tools and recognise the need to enable a better tomorrow for our society and planet. AI provides intuitive ways of solving challenges whilst enriching life.