From gaydars to weather-predicting algorithms: What could AI really do?

It’s an undeniable fact that we're currently living in an era where modern technology continuously develops and flourishes. That is why it is no longer surprising to learn that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making great strides in different fields of science.

In fact, AI has already invaded the educational and medical fields through the development of education technology (personalized learning) and the “superhuman” doctors (non-human intelligence).

Although tech experts have warned about the potential impact of AI on the society, its evolution appears to be unstoppable.

In the past, artificial intelligence was just a work of science fiction. But today, AI is deemed beneficial to mankind despite the existential risks it could bring. So, what could AI really do?

‘Gaydar’

Artificial intelligence made headlines this week when an algorithm that could determine a person's sexuality was tested. According to The Guardian, the computer algorithm used facial analysis technology to accurately determine straight and gay men based on the photographs that were publicly posted on a dating website in the United States.

In the study published in the journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Stanford University researchers found that the software could precisely guess straight from gay people, with percentages of 81 in men and 74 in women. They also found that gay individuals have “gender-atypical” grooming styles, features and expressions.

The algorithm, however, evoked some controversial and ethical inquiries about the biological origins of a person’s sexual orientation. The publication added that the AI-based software has the potential to be abused for anti-LGBT purposes. It could also violate a person’s privacy, as well as question the ethics of facial analysis technology.

Weather-predicting apps

One of the most useful benefits of AI is the development of weather-predicting apps, algorithms or software.

Even though the field keeps changing, the ability of the machines to predict and determine correct weather forecasts and conditions has currently become practical for companies and governments.

Data could be run through over 150 accepted weather models to predict the meteorological or climatic conditions all over the world, Quartz noted. IBM’s The Weather Company, for example, uses an AI algorithm to create more than 2 billion forecasts every 15 minutes.

Data collection

Apart from weather-predicting software, AI-based algorithms could also be useful in data collection and analysis. In fact, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is reportedly developing an artificial intelligence-centered technology to boost the collection of large quantities of data from different sources, which are needed for the completion of investigations.

As per CIA’s technology development deputy director Dawn Meyerriecks, the agency has 137 various AI projects that are currently in the works. These technologies, which are also intended to be used for social media data, were made possible through the collaboration of CIA researchers and Silicon Valley developers, Futurism reported.

Screen-free computing

The AI evolution continues as screen-free user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) have currently become a popular trend in the tech sector. As per ZDNet, screen-free computing is on the rise thanks to the development of voice-activated or digital home assistants like Amazon Echo and the autonomous vehicles.

Military power

Meanwhile, one of the threats of AI is the question whether it can be controlled or not.

Concerns over such technologies also heightened especially when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that artificial intelligence is the “future” humanity, suggesting that whoever becomes the “leader” in AI development will be the world’s greatest ruler, Wired revealed.

Superpower nations Russia, China, and the United States have all announced that AI is essential when it comes to the future of its respective national security. But Putin’s recent statement highlighted the escalating quest of these nations to boost their military power through AI.