How Is Artificial Intelligence Changing Our Daily Lives?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that has rapidly developed in recent years and is increasingly becoming integrated into our daily lives. It is creating significant changes not only in the lives of technology enthusiasts or engineers but also in those of ordinary people. AI’s presence can be observed in many areas, from personal assistants on our phones and smart devices in our homes to e-commerce platforms and healthcare services.

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence is a field that enables computers or machines to mimic human-like abilities in reasoning, learning, problem solving, and decision making. When John McCarthy first used the term AI at the 1956 Dartmouth Conference, it was not anticipated that this field would advance so rapidly. AI has since evolved to encompass subfields such as machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, allowing it to perform highly complex tasks.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Daily Life

Smartphones and Applications

Today nearly everyone carries a smartphone, and most of these devices include AI-based features. Virtual assistants such as Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa can understand voice commands, provide responses, set reminders, and offer information on traffic and weather conditions. Features such as facial recognition and portrait mode in smartphone cameras are also products of AI.

AI in Healthcare

AI is introducing groundbreaking innovations in healthcare. Image processing algorithms assist doctors by analyzing X-ray and MRI scans. Additionally, wearable health devices can now monitor heart rate, sleep patterns, and physical activity to provide users with health recommendations. AI-based applications are also becoming increasingly common in monitoring chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

Shopping and Recommendation Systems

The “personalized recommendations” seen on online shopping platforms are another example of AI. Platforms such as Amazon, Netflix, and Spotify analyze user behavior to deliver tailored suggestions. This enhances the user experience and increases consumer satisfaction. For instance, receiving new recommendations on Netflix based on the series you have watched is a result of machine learning algorithms.

Transportation and Mapping Applications

AI is actively used in urban transportation as well. Applications such as Google Maps and Waze analyze traffic congestion to determine the fastest routes. Furthermore, autonomous vehicles, thanks to AI, can perceive their surroundings and move safely. Although not yet fully widespread, autonomous vehicles are expected to fundamentally transform traffic and transportation in the future.

Home and Office Automation

Smart home devices learn user habits through AI and adapt their services accordingly. Smart thermostats adjust temperature based on whether the user is at home or away, while smart plugs help save energy. In office environments, AI assists with tasks such as scheduling appointments, classifying emails, and scanning documents.

AI in Education

Personalized learning in education is one of AI’s key contributions. AI-based applications can analyze students’ learning speed and level to provide individualized recommendations. The greatest advantage of these systems is identifying students’ weaknesses and creating customized exercises for them. They also make it easier for teachers to track and analyze student performance.

Security and Surveillance

AI is also used in analyzing security camera footage. Facial recognition systems, license plate recognition technologies, and behavior analysis provide significant support to law enforcement. For example, detecting suspicious behavior in crowded areas or locating missing persons is now faster thanks to AI algorithms.

Risks and Ethical Issues Brought by Artificial Intelligence

Alongside the opportunities AI offers, it also presents certain risks. These include job displacement, privacy violations, and algorithmic bias. It is anticipated that some professions may disappear due to increased automation. Privacy violations, particularly concerning facial recognition and personal data usage, require careful attention. Biased algorithms can lead to incorrect or unfair decisions. For instance, AI software used in hiring processes may learn biases present in training data and thereby perpetuate inequality.

How Will Artificial Intelligence Shape the Future?

In the future, AI is expected to become even more widespread. Personalized medical treatments, fully individualized curricula in education, driverless vehicles in transportation, and even decision-support systems in law are all actively on the agenda. However, it is crucial that these developments occur within an ethical and legal framework. The fundamental issues will be ensuring that AI is used for the benefit of society and adhering to principles of transparency and accountability.