Artificial intelligence (AI) is a term coined by Stanford Professor Emeritus John McCarthy. It’s the science and engineering of making intelligent machines that can learn, at least like humans. AI has reached a tipping point and is poised to transform every industry. A new report by Grand View Research predicts that the global artificial intelligence market will reach $390.9 billion by 2025 and will grow at a CAGR of 46.2 percent by then. The integration of artificial intelligence into various applications is a significant market driver.
This article takes a step back to consider how AI, with some eye-popping predictions, is ensuring it will fundamentally transform more areas of our economy and society over the next decade.
Pakistan’s agricultural sector has been hampered by archaic practices, particularly in irrigation and resource management, leading to a downward trend in production. Major economies like the US, China, India and Brazil are investing heavily in agricultural AI with the goal of increasing food production and improving food security. AI in agriculture has the potential to increase yields, reduce inputs and improve decision-making.
In the US, start-ups such as Blue River Technology and Climate Corporation have been working on precision farming applications for many years. In India, the government is working on a project that will use machine learning to predict crop yields, and in Brazil, ag-tech companies are using AI to help farmers fight deforestation.
Pakistani farmers are already using AI to detect crop pests and diseases, map fields and predict weather conditions, but huge investments in agricultural AI are needed to increase food production and improve food security. Agriculture wastes half of the water consumed, consuming 70 percent of the country’s freshwater resources in the process. To ensure optimal water use, we need advanced technological solutions.
Although there are some challenges to using AI in agriculture, such as B. data quality and availability, computing power and storage requirements as well as a lack of qualified personnel, these challenges can be overcome with continuous investments and developments.
The advancement of AI in the healthcare sector is expected to bring many benefits such as: B. Collecting relevant and accurate data about patients and treatment seekers. Pakistan is preparing educated workers to handle machines that process data faster and make decisions faster than humans. A state-of-the-art center for artificial intelligence in health sciences is being built at Karachi University in cooperation with the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences.
AI can also help healthcare facilities and medical organizations reduce operational costs and save money. In conclusion, the key impacts of AI will be felt in patient care. As providers gain a better understanding of information in healthcare settings, personalized treatment plans and medication protocols will transform how patient care is delivered. Additionally, AI in logistics can have a significant impact on operations by predicting inventory requirements, reducing overhead, and digitizing documents. Blockchain technology can be used to validate digital assets, allowing for more accurate tracking of shipments and reducing time spent in ports, improving supply chain efficiencies and benefiting the global shipping industry.
According to the World Economic Forum, two-thirds of jobs could be lost to automation in developing countries, which could have a significant impact on Pakistan’s population and government stability. To counteract this, Pakistan should train its workforce and increase its investment in AI. NCAI is a revolutionary initiative that aims to become a leading center for innovation, scientific research, knowledge transfer to the local economy and education in the field of AI and closely related fields. Pakistan has over 600,000 IT professionals, 17,000 software companies providing services in over 120 countries and $3 billion in IT export revenue last year. However, the number of companies and startups offering services and developing products in the AI field is relatively small. In order to bridge the gap between industry and academia and to motivate youth to do research and education in AI, we need to train some of our existing 600,000 IT professionals in AI and create more centers like the NCAI.
In the end, I tried to cover all possible impacts that AI can have on our future. Indeed, the future of AI looks bright, but there are difficulties, including leading a global independent arms race and determining who is responsible when an autonomous car hits a pedestrian. There is no doubt that AI will have a transformative impact on the economy, legal system, political system and regulatory system, but achieving all the benefits on a global scale will have a profound impact on discussion and planning. AI will significantly shape our future, but we will likely face challenges related to its unforeseen consequences. In addition, Pakistan should focus on investment in science and technology education and increase investment in AI to ensure its long-term security.
The author is a business analyst
