Year Ender 2023: As the world evolves, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a game-changing force that has the potential to revolutionise sectors. While 2023 was full of new AI innovations, more mature effects of the technology will crop up in 2024. The ripple effects are already striking industries across the globe and India. These changes will continue to become more pronounced in the future.
As we gear up to enter the new year, here is how AI is changing key industries in India and what we can expect in the future.
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Healthcare
In the medical sector, headline-making tools remain in the testing phase. These innovations can help increase recovery rates via quick breakdown of health data and advanced algorithmic disease detection. While AI's efficacy in treatment is yet to be proven, initiatives like MedLM by Google hint AI is all set to make a splash.
Instances of AI-based chips being used to treat paralysis and AI software performing well as a psychotherapist have also rendered positive results in the past. Vikram Patel (Co-Founder and CTO of DocVita) believes AI can boost diagnostic times, especially in disciplines like radiology.
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MedLM is available for Google Cloud users in the US. (Image:Google)
"We can anticipate cutting-edge algorithms analysing speech patterns, facial expressions, and physiological cues, paving the way for an individualised approach," Patel said. "The innovation could redefine how mental health professionals tailor interventions to meet specific needs, offering not just efficiency but a remarkable degree of adaptability," he added.
Education
With the arrival of AI tools (such as ChatGPT and Bard by Google) that can answer complicated math queries and write compelling essays, the learning cycle is becoming easier for students. However, the scope of malpractices continues to loom in this sector. On a positive note, it can help enhance the grading system and prepare challenging test slates for learners.
In the evolving landscape, "educators should focus on the quality of teaching that requires a human touch or connection to fulfil its true objective and cannot be automated. As AI evolves, the education sector is certainly going to change in striking ways," said Ajay Gupta, founder of AHPS Schools and co-founder of Rishihood University.
Speaking on the usage of AI in education sector, Ravi Bhushan, Founder & CEO, BrightCHAMPS, said, "AI is definitely going to accelerate the process of helping the edtech industry honour its commitment of delivering individualised learning material to students across the geographical. linguistic, and financial spectrum. It is possibly the single most important innovation that is going to bring us closer than we have ever been in levelling the playing field and making 21st-century learning available and accessible to all. One of the biggest challenges in education is the friction between individualisation in learning (material that is customised to a student's learning style, speed, needs, and interests, supplemented by personal attention) and unit economics."
"We know that learning outcomes peak when teacher-to-student ratios are low and when we don't adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to the material being delivered and the learning methodology being used for efficient delivery. But customisation is also expensive, and without AI, extremely dependent on the availability of high-quality human talent, which poses not just a cost challenge, but also an impossible-to-fulfill need for supply due to burgeoning demand. As sophistication is built within the processes of training AI models to ensure student safety and encourage Socratic dialogue and deeper learning within students, edtech will be able to deliver the highest quality of learning at mass-market price points. The burden on human teachers will also be reduced, as AI will be able to take over the more repetitive tasks, offer detailed insights into students' learning patterns and journeys, and even offer early warnings to mitigate potential risks. We've not even scratched the surface of what AI can do for learners and the process of learning right now. 2024 is going to be the year we will see many things come to fruition," he added.
Entertainment
With the arrival of generative AI tools like MusicLM for music and MidJourney for images, the creative industry continues to transform into a playground. While the results lack the professional finesse of a top-class artist, they can help add an entry point for ideas.
AI tool 'Google Instrument Playground' UI. (Image:Google)
AI-generated content, be it video, text, news, or audio, has a dark side that needs proper redressal via corrective measures. The rise of AI models continues to blur the line of human-exclusive tasks. Tech expert Vinod K Singh believes AI is bolstering "entertainment 2.0" that can craft entire worlds where reality dances with imagination.
"We can expect a surge in personalised content and democratisation of filmmaking to produce high-quality work. AI will also innovate in visual effects and soundtracks, transforming how stories are told and experienced, opening new horizons for creators and audiences," Singh said.
Business
From air to roads, businesses of diverse classes have been deploying AI to solve user queries and offer better customer support. Instances of chatbots on e-commerce platforms suggesting products based on analysing user preferences made headlines this year. A few tasks assigned to AI in the corporate landscape include writing communication texts, creating graphics and more.
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ChatGPT is among the widely used AI tools for writing texts and analysing data. (Image:Canva/Syda Productions)
Plus, repetitive activities can be programmed into automation software to let humans focus on more innovative tasks, said Saurabh Sharma, CTO of Mobikasa. However, "every task, even the most mundane, will contribute to achieving remarkable success and excellence with AI," Sharma added.
Rajneel Kumar, Co-founder, coto, said, "In 2024, the technology sector is poised for a notable surge in AI integration. The widespread adoption of AI, particularly through machine learning technologies, is anticipated to enhance operational efficiency and productivity, becoming indispensable for business advancement. AI-driven content moderation is expected to supplant human moderation on social media platforms, fostering a safer online environment by curbing misinformation and offensive content. The pivotal role of personalization, inherent in AI capabilities, will be accentuated, offering customers bespoke experiences tailored to their preferences".
"With the success of our recently launched Q&A led AI feature, coto is bringing generative AI to its users in the areas of text and visuals. The app will continue to offer an enhanced and customised generative experience, depending on the profiles and interests of the user. Furthermore, the industry is likely to witness a growing demand for ethical AI practices, propelled by global incidents of deepfake cases, as organizations prioritize responsible and accountable AI deployment," he added.
GBS Bindra CBO, Hipi, said, "In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, 2024 is poised to be the year where AI will emerge as the most significant player that would reshape the very fabric of the tech industry. As algorithms evolve and machine intelligence reaches new heights, the combination of human ingenuity with AI will propel us into uncharted realms of innovation and efficiency.”
Agriculture
While the primary sector of India remains largely untouched by AI, there is ample scope to improve crop production and ensure efficient use of resources for economies of scale. AI-based crop monitoring via drones and optimised plantations based on weather recommendations and soil profiles are also expected to grow in the future. From early pest control to disease detection, here is a detailed guide on how evolving technologies can help farmers globally.
Retail
Not just technology, Artificial Intelligence has also found a host in the retail industry by making the shopping experience immersive by the use of AI-integrated AR and VR technologies. Speaking on the usage of AI in the retail sector, Tushar Ved, President of Apparel Group (India) Pvt. Ltd said, "The key growth drivers in the retail industry are rooted in a customer-first approach. Elevated, immersive, and personalized retail experiences have become imperative. Our commitment lies in taking swift action on these new retail dynamics to elevate the experience for our valued customers".
"In an era where online and offline shopping platforms coexist, we firmly believe in the power of omnichannel strategies. Striving for a seamless brand & shopping experience across all channels is not just a strategy but a commitment to meet the evolving needs of our diverse consumer base. Technological advancements, particularly in AI and machine learning, augmented reality, virtual reality have initiated a transformative journey in retail eg: utilising AR for virtual fitting rooms, VR for immersive shopping experiences, and AI to optimise pricing and manage inventory," he added.