In simple language, artificial intelligence helps machines to behave like humans in areas like face recognition, decision making, learning and solving problems. AI are basically used for learning and taking self-decisions on the processing of complex organized or unorganized data. This technology has revolutionized the digital world like the smartphones did. In fact, we hear every day that the tech world is growing with the use of new technology which is bringing us closer. Such an example is the development & advancement of IoT or internet of things. Here artificial experience plays the role to boost up user experience. Before getting into the technical skills of IoT, lets understand what is it and where is it required?Actually IoT cannot work without AI. Why? Internet of things (IoT) is a network of technologies or sensors that contain embedded technology that helps in communicating and interacting with their data that is they receive and transfer data through the network without human interactions or human to computer involvement. These data from devices or sensors can be stored in the cloud and it can be made available for real-time analytics.IoT collects these vast amount of data from different environment. With the help of data science, AI converts these collective data into applications, applying analytics to the data to make decisions. So the whole process involves collecting and processing data which requires new ways of innovating with AI.

AI and IoT: Why Do We Need It?

Till now we had definitely concluded the credibility of big data. It is huge and incomparable. AI in IoT is how we unlock it. According to Deloitte, the acquisition of AI and IoT startups already established themselves in the market in 2017 and is expected to hit record numbers in the future.  The AI-focused IoT companies deals with intelligent reasoning and speedy data analysis which would sooner cover the future.Since artificial intelligence has become a perfect solution to manage multiple connected IoT elements, its unlimited processing and learning abilities are considered to be critical for making sense of millions of data transmitted by IoT devices. Companies can achieve this in practice by using a powerful subset of AI which is called machine learning.

IoT and Machine Learning

We can call IoT as the data “supplier” while machine learning as data “miner.” First step is refining before IoT work supply data.  There are a lot of IoT sensors and external factors which produces millions of data points. It is the task of the “miner” or machine learning to identify correlations between them, extract meaningful insight from these variables and transport it to the storage for further analysis.The traditional analytical approach to data includes the system gathering past data and produce reports and results based on data processing. IoT and machine learning works more on prediction. It starts with the desired outcome and searches interactions between input variables to meet the criteria.Another advantage of applying machine learning to IoT data is in the ability to automatically improve its algorithms. As more data are being available now, a smart system returns even more accurate predictions due to its smart thinking. In this way, businesses can conclude to a perfect decision without actual “thinking.” Or human interaction. The artificial system has answers to every aspect, starting from the machine safety or power reduction to the increased supply of personalized goods and services.

How IoT Benefits From AI?

Soon, IoT would produce vast amount of data due to the rapid growing of devices and sensors. According to a research, the internet will be connecting millions of devices by 2020, ranging from smartphones, gadgets, smart watches, various computer systems and vehicles. These data would be a lot helpful for various things such as predicting natural calamities, accidents and crimes, helps doctors getting real-time information from medical equipment, productivity across industries, predictive maintenance on equipment and machinery, create smart homes with appliances and provide critical communication between self-driving cars. The possibilities are endless.However, these big data are important once you transform it into valuable and actionable information within a given time period. Obviously it is not possible for human hands to do it. This is where artificial intelligence comes into play. AI collects the data and extracts the meaning from it by applying analytics. When we feed data from IoT devices into an AI system, it reviews and analyzes the data to reveal patterns and similarities which produces more informed decisions made either by machines or humans.

Examples showing implementing AI in IoT applications.

Let’s take a closer look at industries and businesses that have already managed to cut costs, create a better user experience and open up new business models with AI in IoT.

Smart decisions.

In IoT applications,  you require machine learning to face various situations. When a device detects unusual conditions due to any error, it needs to know how to and when to react or whether to respond autonomously or whether it need human assistance. Definitely it requires intelligent learning and decision-making capabilities to make such wise decisions. Google uses this approach in the RankBrain algorithm. It actually requires deep learning to guess the meaning of an error. Once you get the solution, it responds in real-time without any human intervention.

Smart Meters.

Smart meters use specially designed sensors and IoT-enabled devices, incorporated into smart grids to record and upload electrical and background data. Here Artificial Intelligence techniques, neural networks, and technology are applied to the grid to integrate privacy. They are deployed in every electricity consumption unit and share their information with local control centers. Not only does they have the bidirectional flow of both electricity, they have real-time sensors which collects data on relevant factors that includes frequencies used by different equipment and appliances.

Boosting efficiency.

With the help of predictive analytics, machine learning with AI learns from the data to decipher trends and make predictions about future events. This unlocks the real benefits of IoT in a variety of manufacturing industries.

Healthcare.

In the healthcare sector, AI together with IoT network can improve patient care. Sensors from medical devices such as healthcare mobile apps, fitness trackers and digital medical records have been producing and storing patient’s data. The AI and IoT approach can help predict diseases, suggest preventive maintenance, track physical activity, heart rate, body mass, temperature and provide drug administration by reviewing the medical history and identifying the health problem. When it is regarding health protection or disease control, patients and doctors would accept the benefits that come with the AI and IoT approach.

Forecasting.

Accurate forecasts help farmers to plan optimal days for farming or harvesting. Train or plane schedules fully depends on weather forecasting to modify for expected weather interruptions. Businesses that are weather dependent,can accurately employ labor and resources according to expected weather events.Here comes the role of artificial intelligence. AI can help make more accurate forecasting. Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques apply its method on past predictions and actual outcomes. By comparing predictions with outcomes, there is improvement of simulation capabilities. It results in much better forecasting for the future, with greater accuracy. It feeds data into algorithms that literally require both quality and quantity. This is done in order to be effective at past occurrences with future predictions.

Scalability.

IoT can scale data. What does it mean? Connected devices ranging from high end computer system to sensors share data among themselves. Here AI plays the role of extracting information from one device. Before transferring it to other, it analyses and summarizes the data. Thus it reduces the enormous amount of data to a suitable amount. This is called scalability.

Smart Devices:

Today we have basic things fitted with technology like smart TV, smart watch, smart security system. Even we have “intelligent” vacuum cleaners, doorbells and lightning systems which have already come to the market in good supply. All this is because of the blessing of artificial intelligence. On top of that, AI can make life in smart homes even more comfortable. AI systems can detect your mood and analyze your interaction with home objects. Due to its self-knowledge skills, it can adjust temperature for both heating and cooling. It can adjust lighting. It can put on the music you like and close or open windows depending on the weather. AI in IoT can also water plants when sensors state the dry soil.

Conclusion

The IoT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a vital role in the future. Multiple factors are driving the growing need for technologies in industries, governments. Engineers, scientists and technologists have already started to implement it in various levels.References : https://www.wired.com/brandlab/2018/05/bringing-power-ai-internet-things/, https://www.ariasystems.com/blog/iot-needs-artificial-intelligence-succeed/ , https://www.techemergence.com/artificial-intelligence-plus-the-internet-of-things-iot-3-examples-worth-learning-from/