AI and IoT: The Perfect Combination of Powerful Technologies

The artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) define the combination of two powerful technologies:

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) and The Internet of Things (IoT).

AI is currently a growing technology. The global AI market size was estimated at USD 62.35

billion in 2020 and is expected to reach 266.92 billion by 2027. Besides, some studies revealed

that AI can boost business productivity by an average of 40% as it enhances data collection,

automation, decision making, and cybersecurity.

IoT is also expanding. The total Internet of Things (IoT) market worldwide was worth around 389

billion U.S. dollars in 2020. In ten years the number of Internet of things (IoT)  connected

devices worldwide is forecast to reach 15.9 billion, developing a total data volume of 79.4 zettabytes

(ZBs) by 2025.

If on one hand, these data are symptomatic of a technological revolution that is progressively

spreading through our life; on the other reveal the need to manage the large volume of data

available. Therefore, in this scenario, AI can be expected to be a useful and essential tool to develop

insight and high-performance solutions.

What is Ai and IoT?

To fully understand AIoT and its several applications, it is first necessary to introduce the concept

of the Internet of Things as well as the one of AI.

IoT describes the network of ‘things’ that can connect with and be recognized by other devices and

that can exchange, collect and process data over the internet. These ‘things’ range from ordinary

household objects (refrigerator, stoves, washers and dryers, coffee machines, slow cookers) to smart

assistants and security systems (amazon, Alexa, smart locks and smart doorbells) to sophisticated

industrial tools. In the industrial setting, IoT has contributed to enhancing many existing processes,

including but not limited to communication, control, logistic, machine, and quality control as well as

analysis and intersection of massive amounts of data.

AI is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. It

focuses on three cognitive skills: learning, reasoning, and self-correction. The learning process is

based on data acquisition and algorithm development, which provide computing devices with

instructions to fulfill a specific task. The reasoning process is about choosing the right algorithm to

get the desired outcome, while the self-correction process makes sure to improve the whole process

by self-adjusting. Some well-known AI-empowered devices are car smart sensors, autonomous

vehicles, robot-assisted surgery, cybersecurity devices, AI farming, language translators, and drones.

Bernard Marr provided a quite insightful and catchy definition to understand AIoT, defining the

internet of things devices as the digital nervous system and the artificial intelligence as the brain of

a system. Therefore, when AI is combined with IoT , the devices embedded with sensor and

a cloud system can analyze data and make decisions accordingly, without human interventions.

While the concept of AIoT is still relatively new, its application and benefits in several fields are

already discussed. In general, the combo between AI and IoT enhance decision-making processes,

data management and analytics while making more efficient IoT operations.

Here are a few practical examples of AIoT applications:

The combo between AI and IoT enhance decision-making

processes, data management and analytics while making more

efficient IoT operations.

Monitoring Traffic with Drones

The expansion of the city and the urbanization did not result in an equal increase in the

transportation infrastructures. Traffic congestion and road (un)safety has thus become a social issue

as the social costs of traffic increased.

AIoT can offer traffic management solutions by monitoring traffic and suggesting adjustments.

Through IoT, data concerning the traffic flow and eventual congestions can be captured and then

transmitted to a centralized platform. AI, on the other hand, can analyze the data and make prompt

and useful decisions, such as redirect traffic and adjust speed limits or traffic lights’ timing in order

to reduce congestions and guarantee a safer and more comfortable drive experience.

Smart Office Buildings

Many buildings already have IoT devices installed, such as sensors, cameras and building controls.

The sensors can detect and change the temperature and the lighting of the building to create a more

comfortable and eco-sustainable environment. Besides, technologies such as real-time video

surveillance and facial recognition, are becoming widely used to help ensure personnel safety

while checking the employees’ performances and behaviors.

Autonomous Delivery Robots

Another example of AI combined with IoT concerns autonomous delivery robots. Intelligent service

robots use sensors and big data technologies to detect environmental and external behaviors and

dynamics to interact, make decisions and move autonomously. Their applications are countless,

ranging from healthcare, navigation, entertainment, and customer services to food distribution.

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

A wide range of businesses and industries has already embodied the technologies of the Industrial

Internet of Things (IIoT) to gather data and explore new ways of production efficiency and

business’ management.