It’s a fact: Artificial Intelligence is here

Your brain is the most complex object in the known universe. That is a fact.

Why? – Because human intelligence and learning is independent, intuitive, in-built, intricate, and for now,un-reproducible in many ways.

Despite this challenge, Artificial Intelligence (AI) experts have already achieved Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), which is AI that has learnt to specialise in one area and can even outsmart humans in its niche. The world’s best chess players are now ANI systems, and many of the technologies we use every day are based on AI – think Google Translate, Siri, Google search and even predictive text.

ANI systems are also being used to identify patterns in big data and consumer behaviour to strengthen human performance in industries ranging from the automotive and real estate sectors, to banking, healthcare and education.

Progressive thinkers and game changers are putting AI on the agenda. Following Dubai’s recent GITEX Technology Week 2017, which showcased many of these ground-breaking technologies, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the ‘UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy’. The strategy aims to create a more productive and innovative environment by adopting advanced AI technologies across all government work. Underscoring this was the appointment of a ‘State Minister for Artificial Intelligence’ on 19th October 2017.

All of this makes me wonder – what impact could AI have on the communication industry?

This is an important question for communication professionals because:

1. AI is the greatest paradigm shift our world will ever witness and it is coming; if we want to keep our clients ahead of the game, we need to embrace it.
2. Successful new-age PR is all about harnessing the power of digital transformation and AI represents the steepest learning curve we’ll face in this arena.
3. The communication industry is deeply human and AI has interesting ramifications in light of this.
4. According to a survey conducted by AI expert Nick Bostrom, scientists believe we may reach Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) by 2040, at which point we will have AI that is as intelligent as humans across all areas. Only 23 years from now we may be using technology in the communication industry that we can hardly even imagine now.
5. Dubai is one of the most progressive cities in the world and if AI is looking for a launch pad, it will find it right here at home and rapidly permeate all sectors, including our own.

I believe in the amazing power of ‘New-Age PR’, but could AI put ‘Super-Human Communication’ within the reach of mere mortals?
In the next part of my blog I’ll be exploring this idea further and considering ways that AI could transform our industry.

Ahmad Itani is the COO of Cicero & Bernay Public Relations. An independent PR agency headquartered in Dubai and offering new-age public relations consultancy to the UAE and across the MENA region. | www.cbpr.me