Understanding the Key Differences Between Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things
Since the advent of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of things (IoT) have been among the most exciting and fast-growing fields. Their potential for innovation is unbounded, bringing countless benefits to society. However, despite being closely related concepts, people tend to interchange or confuse the two terms.
In this article, we will break down the key differences between AI and IoT while also highlighting their interrelationships.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
AI is a branch of computer science that involves the development of machines that have the ability to work like humans. Machines are pre-programmed to learn from experience and make decisions based on data inputs. The goal of AI is to make machines learn on their own, make decisions, and perform tasks without any human intervention.
With AI, computers can perform complex tasks such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. AI can help businesses identify patterns, improve decision-making processes, and automate time-consuming tasks.
What is Internet of Things (IoT)?
IoT is a system of interconnected devices, objects, or machines that communicate with each other through the internet. It involves the integration of sensors, software, and networked connectivity to enable devices to collect and exchange data.
The key function of IoT is to connect and collect data from various devices, platforms, and applications. Through IoT, devices can be remotely monitored and controlled, leading to improved efficiency and significant cost savings. IoT is widely used in various industries, including healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation.
Differences Between AI and IoT
Although AI and IoT are both buzzwords in the tech industry, they have distinctive differences. The most prominent differences between AI and IoT are summarized below:
Ownership and Complexity of Data
The primary difference between AI and IoT lies in their data ownership and complexity. AI focuses on the use of advanced algorithms to analyze and predict complex data patterns. In contrast, IoT primarily deals with the collection and monitoring of simple or large quantities of data from numerous devices, which can be difficult to analyze and manage.
Decision-making Capabilities
Another difference between AI and IoT is their decision-making capabilities. While AI can make autonomous decisions based on historical and real-time data inputs, IoT devices collect data and send it to a central decision-making system for processing.
Human Interactions
AI has the potential to interact with humans in the same way as humans deal with other humans. In contrast, IoT devices operate independently of human interference.
Processing Power Required
AI requires significantly more processing power than IoT. Due to the complexity of the algorithms that AI uses for sophisticated decision-making, it requires high-end processing hardware to function effectively. IoT devices, on the other hand, do not require intensive computational power and can operate on low-power hardware.
Interrelationship between AI and IoT
While AI and IoT have distinctive differences, one cannot deny the fact that both are interrelated and complement each other. AI can be integrated with IoT platforms to enhance the process of data collection, processing, and analysis.
By combining AI and IoT, businesses can automate manual tasks, reduce operational costs, and improve the accuracy of data analysis. For instance, autonomous cars that require advanced decision-making capabilities is a practical example of the interrelationship between AI and IoT.
Conclusion
In conclusion, AI and IoT are critical technologies that are driving the fourth industrial revolution and transforming businesses worldwide. While they have distinctive characteristics, understanding the differences between AI and IoT is necessary to leverage their respective capabilities. With the rapidly advancing technology, it is crucial to tap into the immense potential of AI and IoT by bringing the two together for strategic innovation in industries across the globe.
