Artificial Intelligence

Unit-2
 AI Applications
Virtual Assistant

What is a virtual assistant (AI assistant)?

• A virtual assistant, also called an AI assistant or digital assistant, is an application

program that understands natural language voice commands and completes tasks for
the user.

• Such tasks -- historically performed by a human personal assistant or secretary --

include taking dictation, reading text or email messages aloud, looking up phone
numbers, scheduling, placing phone calls and reminding the user about appointments.

• Popular virtual assistants include Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri and Google Assistant
Types of Virtual assistant:

• Chat bots are a text-based virtual assistant that simulates human-like conversations
with users.
Examples: Natural Language Processing (NLP), User Queries and Commands, Task
Execution, Calendar and Schedule Management, Web Search and Information
Retrieval, Language Translation

• A voice assistants are virtual assistant that uses voice recognition, language
processing algorithms, and voice synthesis to listen to specific voice commands and
return relevant information or perform specific functions as requested by the user.
While voice assistants can be completely software based and able to integrate into
most devices.

• Today, voice assistants are integrated into many of the devices we use on a daily basis,
such as cell phones, computers, and smart speakers.
Technology behind Voice Assistants

• Voice assistants use Artificial Intelligence and Voice recognition to accurately and
efficiently deliver the result that the user is looking for.

• Voice recognition works by taking an analog signal from a users voice and turning it
into a digital signal.

• After doing this, the computer takes the digital signal and attempts to match it up to
words and phrases to recognize the users intent.

• Checking the input signal with this database is known as pattern recognition, and is
the primary force behind voice recognition
Benefits of Voice Assistants

Some examples of what a Voice Assistant can do include:

• Check the weather
• Turn on/off connected smart devices
• Search databases

• Efficiency and Safety

using your voice will always be quicker, much more natural, and lead to less spelling
errors. This leads to a much more efficient and natural intelligent workflow.

• Quick learning curve

One of the greatest benefits of voice assistants is a quick learning curve. Instead of
having to learn how to use devices like mice and touch screens and get used to
using specific physical devices, you can just use your natural conversation
tendencies and use your voice.
• Wider Device Integration
Since a screen or keyboard isn’t necessary, it’s easy to place voice integration into a much
wider array of devices. In the future, smart glasses, furniture, appliances, will all come with
voice assistants already integrated into the device.

 Popular Voice Assistants

• Siri
Siri is the most popular voice assistant today. Created in 2010 by SRI Inc, and purchased in
2011 by Apple, Siri has become an integral part of the Apple ecosystem.

• Alexa
Created by Amazon in 2014, Alexa was named due to its similarity to the Library of
Alexandria.
The Amazon Echo, a smart speaker intended for consumers to dive into the world of
home automation, uses the Alexa platform to allow users to interact.
• Google Assistant
Originally unveiled in 2016, Google Assistant was the spiritual successor of Google
Now, with the main improvement being the addition of two-way conversations.
Google Assistant gives answers in the form of natural sentences and returns
recommendations in the form of Feature cards.

• Cortana
Beginning in 2009, Cortana by Microsoft has had one of the longest visions of giving
people access to voice assistants in their daily lives.
Microsoft began shipping Cortana with all Windows 10 and Xbox devices, leading to
a huge increase in the amount of registered Cortana users.
 TRAVEL AND NAVIGATION

TRAVEL
• Artificial Intelligence systems have several applications in tourism.

• From the consumer perspective, Artificial Intelligence helps users to find better and more
relevant information improves their decision- making, and ultimately, provides a better
tourism experience.

• Facial Recognition technologies, virtual reality applications, robots, chatbots, language

translators, are few examples of AI-driven initiatives in the travel industry.
ChatBots
Almost all travel service providers now use AI-driven chatbots. These AI chatbots are
entering travel via customer support channels.
While AI can’t handle every customer’s question, it often frees up travel agents to spend
more time on more complex problems.
Examples: Booking and Reservations, Customer Support, Trip Planning and
Recommendations, Travel Updates and Notifications, Language Translation, Feedback
and Reviews, Promotions and Offers.

Maximum Likelihood Algorithm

• By using AI in combination with the Maximum Likelihood Algorithm, travel service
providers can optimize services offered to travellers.
• The Maximum Likelihood Algorithm makes use of the past data & suggests the
likelihood values of the prices.
• This algorithm would suggest the timings at which the prices rise and the
timings at which the prices drop. Therefore, it suggests the best timings to the customers
in terms of price.
• This technology is used in many tourism areas, such as booking flight/hotel/Cab
services.
• Using this technology, the customers can decide whether to book a flight/hotel/Cab or
wait till the price drops.
Robotics
• Face-to-face customer service interaction is also one of the successful examples of
Artificial Intelligence.

• The Heathrow Airport in London has already employed robots to guide passengers in
terminals and UK-based inventory management company Vero Solutions expects robots
to replace check-in processes by 2030.

• In Virginia, Hilton McLean has deployed “Connie”, the robot powered by IBM’s Watson
as concierge. These robots are able to replace human agents because of their ability to
speak multiple languages, improve and evolve constantly.

Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality (VR) technology generally uses the VR headset to create a simulated
environment. This simulated environment gives an experience of VR. This technology is
used by multiple tourism, travel & hospitality companies. These companies demonstrate
tourist spots & hotel locations by using 3D videos. With VR, customers from a far
distance can now virtually experience the hotel’s ambiance, the quality of the rooms,
etc. Hoteliers describe their hotel on the website or app; provide a few images & videos
that aim to provide a complete picture to the customers regarding what to expect.

https://youtu.be/lBpLH2oXwBA?si=Xqkxa-Xtlk4JbATf
 NAVIGATION
• Based on research from MIT, GPS technology can provide users with accurate, timely, and
detailed information to improve safety.

• The technology uses a combination of Convolution Neural Network and Graph Neural
Network, which makes lives easier for users by automatically detecting the number of
lanes and road types behind obstructions on the roads.

• AI is heavily used by Uber and many logistics companies to improve operational

efficiency, analyze road traffic, and optimize routes.
Google Maps

Google Maps is a web mapping platform and consumer application offered by Google. It
offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, 360° interactive panoramic views
of streets (Street View), real-time traffic conditions, and route planning for traveling by
foot, car, bike, air (in beta) and public transportation. As of 2020, Google Maps was being
used by over 1 billion people every month around the world. Google Maps began as a C++
desktop program developed by brothers Lars and Jens Rasmussen at Where 2
Technologies. In October 2004, the company was acquired by Google, which converted it
into a web application. After additional acquisitions of a geospatial data visualization
company and a real-time traffic analyzer, Google Maps was launched in February 2005.
The service's front end utilizes JavaScript, XML, and Ajax. Google Maps offers an API that
allows maps to be embedded on third-party websites, and offers a locator for businesses
and other organizations in numerous countries around the world.

https://youtu.be/UvpIrxolWGs?si=zUEuXml61qgDuZVH
Apple Maps

Apple Maps is a web mapping service developed by Apple Inc. The default map system
of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS, it provides directions and estimated times of
arrival for driving, walking, cycling, and public transportation navigation. A "Flyover"
mode shows certain densely populated urban centers and other places of interest in a
3D landscape composed of models of buildings and structures. First released in 2012,
Apple Maps replaced Google Maps as the default map system on Apple devices.

https://youtu.be/SF37ZQ_ItNY?si=TC-KDhDZRXagCbW0
 EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE
EDUCATION
• Artificial Intelligence enhances the quality of education.

• Over the last decade, there are several challenges of learning, including language
processing, reasoning, planning, and cognitive modeling have been addressed by the
artificial intelligence applications.

• There are many advantages that artificial intelligence provide like tutoring, grading, any
personalization in education, feedback on course quality, immediate feedback to students,
etc.,

Creating a Global Classroom

With AI it would be possible for schools to create global classrooms. From now on it
would no longer matter as to where a student is. If she or he is unable to attend a class
due to some reason or the other all she or he would need to do is visit a link, click on it,
and the student can join the live classroom.
Simplifying Administrative tasks
Students have to submit a lot of assignments in time of student life. And teachers have
to give a lot of pressure to check them. Now, many tools help to check the uniqueness
of assignments and reports. So, artificial intelligence reduces the task of teachers.

Reduces human repeated errors

It is not possible for educators to track the errors of their students and improve them.
When learning and exams are done through computers, artificial intelligence track the
performance of every student. Artificial intelligence in the computer also helps
students by providing or suggesting the best content. So, the students can overcome
the lacking and improve the skill to sustain and grow in their careers.

https://youtu.be/MFnn2zj3byA?si=2ZtZ7sAkOd7vaVG8
 HEALTHCARE

How AI benefits health and fitness

The impact of AI and machine learning is such that it is completely transforming
care delivery in the health care sector. Clinical data suggests that AI is simplifying the
lives of doctors, hospital administrators, and patients.

It helps to perform tasks that are typically done by humans but in less time and cost.
The various health machines can be tracked in real-time with the use of AI. A major
trend in deep learning technology is the ability to detect early cancer. In consumer
health applications, it gathers data and processes information to adjust according to
the lifestyle of the patient.

AI-based personal trainer

Apps that are driven by AI help you to achieve your fitness goals. Fitness AI apps
are designed in a way they can offer personalized fitness charts and lifestyle plans. The
apps help to tailor plans based on eating habits, fitness level, and your body mass
index. The apps check your workout pattern and correct you if you are going wrong.
Integrate your Smartphone and use your phone camera to get real-time feedback for
your workouts in a one to one setting.
Smarter Fitness Wearable
Smart fitness wearable is another trending application for AI in fitness. It is a common
sight to see people sport a fit bit or smartwatch on their hands. Smart wearable’s do
much more than just collecting the data. Smartwatch helps to detect irregular heartbeats
that might lead to a stroke. It helps to connect with electronic medical reports to give a
complete view of your profile. It becomes a virtual assistant by connecting with your gym
for guiding you on the number of reps you need to perform. The smart wearable will
offer specific and personalized suggestions to improve your health habits.

The long-term impact of AI on the healthcare sector

AI and machine learning solutions will increase efficacy and productivity in care
delivery. It’ll allow health care systems to provide better care to more people. It’ll help
the health care practitioners to spend more time in patient care. In fitness, it’ll offer
updated fitness solutions that’ll provide virtual training. Many companies will also adopt
chatbot for health and fitness.

https://youtu.be/mkiDXTS6-mU?si=NlGuxwKN6CVhKWNS
 Optical Character Recognition

What is Optical Character Recognition?

• Optical character recognition, or OCR, is an existing technology that enables a user

to convert scanned paper documents, PDFs, and images into editable, searchable, and
machine-readable text.

• Before the invention of OCR, converting physical text to digital was

a manual effort: a person would have to retype each document, a time-consuming task
prone to mistakes.

• With OCR, the conversion happens quickly and with greater fidelity to the
original content.

• Once OCR converts a hard copy into its digital form, viewers can edit,
format, and search the document. They can also send it easily via email, include it in a
website, and store it in compressed files.
How Artificial Intelligence Gives OCR a Boost ?

Artificial intelligence is transforming the capabilities of optical character recognition (OCR)

tools. An area of computer vision, OCR processes images of text and converts that text into
machine-readable forms. In other words, it takes handwritten or typed text within physical
documents and converts them into digital formats.

OCR and AI: A Benefit to Businesses

• Combining OCR with AI and machine learning (ML) techniques, they’re able to use
machines to more accurately convert text and check for errors that may occur during the
conversion.
• AI can better interpret handwriting as well, opening up opportunities for digitizing a
wider range of documents.
• Handwriting still presents a challenge to AI due to the uniqueness of each individual, but
with more handwriting training data, machines are gaining greater ability on that front as
well.
• The OCR tool wouldn’t pick up on this mistake and it would be up to human review to
catch it. With AI tools, however, an algorithm can review the entire document.
Researchers expect demand in AI-powered OCR to continue as these tools become more
efficient and cost-effective.
How OCR Works :

An OCR system features a combination of hardware and software.

The system’s goal is to scan the text of a physical document and translate the
characters within that document to a code that’s then used for data processing.

The system does this in three steps:

1. Image Pre-processing
In step one, the hardware processes the physical form of the document into an
image .
The goal of this step is for the machine to be accurate in its rendition, but also
to remove any unwanted distortions. The resulting image is converted to a
black and white version, which is then analyzed for light areas versus dark area .
The OCR system may also categorize the image into separate elements if
needed, such as tables, text, or inset imagery.
2. Intelligent Character Recognition
AI analyzes the dark areas of the image to identify letters and numbers. Typically, AI
targets one character, word, or block of text at a time using one of the following
methods:
Pattern recognition: Teams train the AI algorithm on a variety of text, text formats,
and handwriting. The algorithm compares the characters on the scanned envelope
image to the characters it has already learned in order to identify matches.
Feature extraction: To recognize new characters, the algorithm applies rules
regarding specific character features. After the machine has identified the
characters, they’re converted to an ASCII code that can be used for further
manipulations.

3. Post-processing
In step three, AI corrects errors in the resulting file.
Implementation :
An application of an artificial neural network approach for optical character
recognition (OCR). A simple pattern-recognition system using an artificial neural
network to simulate character recognition. A simple feed forward neural network
model has been trained with different sets of noisy data. The back propagation
method is used for learning in the neural network.
Applications of OCR

•Word Processing
•Legal Documentation
•Retail
•Historic Preservation
•Banking
 E-COMMERCE AND DIGITAL PAYMENT SYSTEMS

• E-commerce sites use electronic payment, where electronic payment refers to

paperless
monetary transactions.

• Electronic payment has revolutionized the business processing by

reducing the paperwork, transaction costs, and labor cost.

• Being user friendly and less time-consuming than manual processing, it helps business
organization to expand its market reach/expansion. Listed below are some of the modes
of electronic payments

 Credit Card
 Debit Card
 Smart Card
 E-Money
 Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT)
Credit Card

Payment using credit card is one of most common mode of electronic payment. Credit
card is small plastic card with a unique number attached with an account. It has also a
magnetic strip embedded in it which is used to read credit card via card readers. When a
customer purchases a product via credit card, credit card issuer bank pays on behalf of the
customer and customer has a certain time period after which he/she can pay the credit
card bill. It is usually credit card monthly payment cycle. Following are the actors in the
credit card system.

•The card holder − Customer

• The merchant − seller of product who can accept credit card payments.
• The card issuer bank − card holder's bank
• The acquirer bank − the merchant's bank
•The card brand − for example , visa or Mastercard.
Debit Card

Debit card, like credit card, is a small plastic card with a unique number mapped with the
bank account number. It is required to have a bank account before getting a debit card
from the bank. The major difference between a debit card and a credit card is that in case
of payment through debit card, the amount gets deducted from the card's bank account
immediately and there should be sufficient balance in the bank account for the transaction
to get completed; whereas in case of a credit card transaction, there is no such compulsion.
Debit cards free the customer to carry cash and cheques. Even merchants accept a debit
card readily. Having a restriction on the amount that can be withdrawn in a day using a
debit card helps the customer to keep a check on his/her spending.

Smart Card
Smart card is again similar to a credit card or a debit card in appearance, but it has a small
microprocessor chip embedded in it. It has the capacity to store a customer’s work-related
and/or personal information. Smart cards are also used to store money and the amount
gets deducted after every transaction.
Smart cards can only be accessed using a PIN that every customer is assigned with. Smart
cards are secure, as they store information in encrypted format and are less
expensive/provides faster processing. Mondex and Visa Cash cards are examples of smart
cards.
Debit Card
E-Money
E-Money transactions refer to situation where payment is done over the network and
the amount gets transferred from one financial body to another financial body without
any involvement of a middleman. E-money transactions are faster, convenient, and
saves a lot of time.
Online payments done via credit cards, debit cards, or smart cards are examples of
emoney transactions. Another popular example is e-cash. In case of e-cash, both
customer and merchant have to sign up with the bank or company issuing e-cash.
Electronic Fund Transfer

It is a very popular electronic payment method to transfer money from one bank
account to another bank account. Accounts can be in the same bank or different
banks. Fund transfer can be done using ATM (Automated Teller Machine) or using a
computer. Nowadays, internet-based EFT is getting popular. In this case, a customer
uses the website provided by the bank, logs in to the bank's website and registers
another bank account. He/she then places a request to transfer certain amount to that
account. Customer's bank transfers the amount to other account if it is in the same
bank, otherwise the transfer request is forwarded to an ACH (Automated Clearing
House) to transfer the amount to other account and the amount is deducted from the
customer's account. Once the amount is transferred to other account, the customer is
notified of the fund transfer by the bank.
Image based search

Image recognition is a subfield of computer vision that interprets images to assist

the decision-making process. Image recognition is the final stage of image
processing which is one of the most important computer vision tasks.
Image recognition technology,
we have specialized software and applications that can decipher visual information.
Computer vision is a broad field that uses deep learning to perform tasks such as
image processing, image classification, object detection, object segmentation, image
colorization, image reconstruction, and image synthesis.

image recognition is a subfield of computer vision that interprets images to assist

the decision-making process.

Software and applications that are trained for interpreting images are smart
enough to identify places, people, handwriting, objects, and actions in the images
or videos. The essence of artificial intelligence is to employ an abundance of data
to make informed decisions
How does image recognition AI work?
Image recognition comes under the banner of computer vision which involves visual
search, semantic segmentation, and identification of objects from images.

We build image recognition algorithms in three steps.

Step 1: we gather and organize the data.

Step 2: we create a network architecture. We train this network architecture by

exposing it to databases containing millions of images.

Step 3: The final step is to use the model to interpret the images.
How AI is used for Image Recognition?

Facial Recognition:

A facial recognition system utilizes AI to map the facial features of a person. It then
compares the picture with the thousands and millions of images in the deep learning
database to find the match. This technology is widely used today by the smartphone
industry to unlock the device using an inbuilt facial recognition sensor.

Some social networking sites also use this technology to recognize people in the
group picture and automatically tag them

Object Recognition

We can employ deep learning techniques to perform object recognition. Some of the
modern applications of object recognition include counting people from the picture of
an event or products from the manufacturing department. It can also be used to spot
dangerous items from photographs such as knives, guns, or related items.
Text Detection
AI trains the image recognition system to identify text from the images. Today, in this
highly digitized era, we mostly use digital text because it can be shared and edited
seamlessly. We have historic papers and books in physical form that can be digitized.

Google lens is one of the examples of image recognition applications. This

technology is particularly used by retailers as they can perceive the context of
these images and return personalized and accurate search results to the users
based on their interest and behaviour.