Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed our lives by facilitating tasks, automating repetitive work, improving medical diagnoses, optimising industrial processes, and analysing large volumes of information to make resource management more efficient.
However, the pace of technological advancement is so rapid that a new concept has recently emerged: augmented intelligence, which goes a step further by focusing on enhancing human capabilities rather than simply replicating them.
Unlike traditional artificial intelligence, which seeks to emulate human thought, augmented intelligence aims to complement and improve human skills through a synergistic collaboration between people and machines.
This approach is not intended to replace humans but to empower them, enabling faster and more accurate decision-making, and expanding analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
"Artificial intelligence is one of many different technologies, and augmented intelligence is a manifestation or outcome of how you choose to implement those AI technologies," explains Frances Karamouzis, an analyst at research firm Gartner.
Better Together Than Apart
Augmented intelligence operates by integrating various advanced technologies that work together to enhance human capabilities. At its core, it uses machine learning algorithms and artificial neural networks to process and analyse large volumes of data, allowing humans to make better decisions.
This provides a significant advantage over traditional AI, which often lacks the ability to apply common sense and can become confined to a rigid, data-driven approach.
For example, what would happen if a fire broke out where two supercomputers programmed with artificial intelligence were engaged in a game of chess? They would likely continue playing as if nothing were happening around them. In contrast, if one of the contenders were human, they would react to the emergency and abandon the game.
A study conducted by IBM clearly demonstrated the benefits of augmented intelligence in the clinical field. The research revealed that an AI-based system tasked with detecting cancer cells in lymph nodes had an error rate of 7.5%, while human pathologists had an error rate of 3.5%. However, when combining AI technology with the expertise of pathologists, the error rate dramatically dropped to 0.5%.
These examples highlight how the collaboration between artificial and human intelligence can produce better results than either one can achieve independently.
Transforming the Economy and People's Lives
Augmented intelligence is making a significant impact across many key industries in the global economy.
In the medical sector, it is transforming the way diseases are diagnosed and treated. By analysing medical records and predicting risks, these systems help healthcare professionals make more informed decisions, improving diagnostic accuracy and optimising treatment plans.
In the financial sector, augmented intelligence provides a deeper and more detailed view of market trends. Predictive analytics tools can anticipate stock price fluctuations and automate trading processes, thus improving the efficiency and precision of investment strategies.
The development of autonomous vehicles is another area where augmented intelligence plays a crucial role. Although these vehicles are designed to operate without human intervention, augmented intelligence enables the systems to respond appropriately to unforeseen situations, such as the sudden appearance of obstacles on the road.
Retail is another sector that benefits enormously from augmented intelligence. By analysing data on customer purchasing patterns and traffic, companies can optimise store design and product placement, thereby enhancing the shopping experience. Additionally, augmented intelligence chatbots offer personalised and efficient customer service, responding to customer needs with greater precision.
Augmented intelligence is also improving various aspects of everyday life, such as navigation or GPS assistants, real-time translators, and virtual assistants like Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant.
This technology is further impacting education platforms, making them more personalised, as well as smart shopping applications or fitness and training systems tailored to users' needs.
In summary, the key to augmented intelligence lies in its ability to continuously learn and improve. As it interacts with users, the system refines its algorithms, adapting to the specific needs of each sector and enhancing its accuracy over time.
Towards a Smarter Future
As augmented intelligence advances, it faces crucial challenges that will shape its development and adoption.
One of the main challenges is security. With the growing use of data to feed intelligent algorithms and systems, ensuring the protection of this information is fundamental. Vulnerability to cyber-attacks and the possibility of these systems being manipulated for malicious purposes are risks that cannot be underestimated.
The prospects, however, are very encouraging. The global augmented intelligence market, valued at $24.9 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $109.3 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual rate of 23.6%, according to a report released by the consultancy firm Research and Markets.
The potential of augmented intelligence is enormous. It is not merely a technological tool; it is an ally in the journey towards a smarter and more promising future, where the collaboration between humans and machines drives innovation to unprecedented levels.
stronger than one