Augmented Intelligence seems like a concept taken from science fiction, but it is already gaining traction within mobile app development. Although it is often confused with Artificial Intelligence, it differs from it in important aspects.
The most important difference between Augmented Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is that the former seeks to enhance human intelligence rather than just perform specific tasks. In other words, it seeks to improve cognitive performance. On the contrary, Artificial Intelligence is designed to perform specific tasks without the help of any human.
Many industries, without even knowing it, are using this technology to improve business processes and engage with app users. This is most common in businesses that are able to collect, process, and use large amounts of data.
This post discusses what Augmented Intelligence is and how apps implement it in their features to benefit their users and their organizations. If you want to find out how your industry might benefit from this technology, read on.
What Is Augmented Intelligence?
There are different ways in which human intelligence can be improved. Education is the most common one. However, this takes a long time, and not everyone has access to a proper education.
In recent years, nootropics have gained popularity. These are also known as smart drugs because they can help enhance memory and other cognitive features. Nonetheless, not everyone is in favor of using chemical substances to enhance their cognitive abilities.
These alternatives aside, probably the most promising way to strengthen human intelligence seems to be technology that uses data to find patterns, gain insights, and improve decision making. Augmented Intelligence falls under this category.
Augmented Intelligence is a HiTech technology to help enhance human cognitive performance through the use of different tools. It is mostly associated with the intensive use of data in processes related to Machine Learning, predictive analytics, and Big Data. The typical Augmented Intelligence tool can often go unnoticed as a simple feature within a larger program.
Currently, because of the large amounts of data needed, these tools are mostly available only for business purposes. However, one can expect that, as the technology improves, it will become more accessible to everyone. Some popular apps have been using this technology to help people make decisions in their daily lives, even if users are not aware of it.
The Human Intelligence Debate
When it comes to technology and human intelligence, there always seems to be a great deal of controversy. There is no concrete definition of what intelligence is, and this ends up creating some gray zones that can sometimes be accommodated, creating all sorts of conceptual and practical conundrums.
To some experts, only the human mind can display true signs of intelligence. However, others say this is a too narrow definition. This last is the case of Augmented Intelligence advocates, who consider that, even though it isn’t really intelligent, it can help make better decisions.
This is similar to the problem that arises when discussing matters of Artificial Intelligence and leads us to discuss what the difference is between these two different technologies.
The Difference Between Augmented Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence
These two concepts are commonly mistaken for one another. Both technologies are heavily based on data, and they help reduce the workload for humans. However, although they are very similar, a couple of things differentiate them.
The main differences between Augmented Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence are:
- Processes and tasks related to Artificial Intelligence require no human assistance.
- Augmented Intelligence deliberately seeks to include humans in the loop.
At the end of the day, both seem to focus on actionable data, but each one gets to results using a different route. While Artificial Intelligence can perform certain tasks without a human supervising it, Augmented Intelligence is a complement that works side by side with a human.
Often, the question people ask is which of them is better. Since the two operate in different ways, it is hard to say. Ultimately, it depends on the goal a specific computer program wants to achieve.
Examples of Augmented Intelligence
Augmented Intelligence does not have to be part of an extremely sophisticated computer program. Thanks to Big Data processing technologies like the Cloud, app development can build functions that help users organize information and make better decisions, no matter the industry.
Such is the case with Netflix’s recommendation algorithm. The algorithm does not decide for users. Instead, it helps them choose what to watch based on their data. The same occurs with similar apps like Spotify. The user is presented with a number of options after finding patterns in the available data, but the algorithm does not tell the user what to listen to. Similarly, assistants like Alexa and Siri use Augmented Intelligence when they help users make sense of data.
These are some specific business use cases of Augmented Intelligence:
- Voter preference predictions
- Product recommendations
- Customer financial risk profile
- Virtual assistants
- Predictive maintenance
- Search results
- Analytics tools to make sense of data
Ultimately, decisions rely on users, but with the help of Augmented Intelligence features, they can improve the outcome.
The Benefits of Augmented Intelligence in Apps
Thanks to cloud app development, many apps are using the power of Big Data to deliver features that make use of Augmented Intelligence principles. In general, these features are used to give users insights into complex patterns that they might not have identified without the help of a computer program.
No matter the industry your business is in, your app can make use of this powerful technology. Take advantage of the power of your data and engage your users. Contact an experienced app development company that can help you understand the best way to do this.
