Nearly everyone is a fan of science fiction to a certain extent. From acclaimed films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey to the Marvel Comics Universe (MCU), this genre has served to stimulate our imaginations and in some cases, it provides us with a source of in inspiration. It should therefore not come as a great surprise that concepts such as artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) have existed for decades. The only surprising observation is these and similar scientific advancements could become portions of our daily lives in the near future. How much progress has already been made and perhaps more importantly, where might we be headed? Whether you are a fan of science fiction or you are simply hoping to keep up to date with the latest technologies, the answers found below will prove to be quite interesting.
Artificial Intelligence: The Current State of Affairs
Believe it or not, artificial intelligence is already playing an important role throughout our daily lives. There are countless examples of how this approach is being implemented. For instance, the auto-complete feature of search engines such as Google rely upon AI in order to “predict” your query based off of past browsing habits. In the same respect, online advertisements are now capable of targeting discrete demographics thanks to the collection and interpretation of big data; a feat that would not have been possible only a handful of years ago.
AI can even be seen around the home. Smart lighting systems can be adjusted in accordance with customised settings or around peak hours of energy consumption. Voice recognition software is becoming more popular for household security alongside other gadgets such as biometric scanners. Even your smartphone is much “smarter” than it may initially appear thanks to the presence of artificial intelligence. All of these observations force us to wonder just how far these innovations will evolve in the years to come.
The Growing Presence of Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is a lesser-known concept and yet, it deserves an equal amount of attention. AR is primarily intended to provide online users with a more immersive overall experience. For instance, augmented reality can be employed to provide 360-degree views or virtual walkthroughs of an apartment that you are planning to rent.
AR is also making its presence known within the online gaming sector. The casino industry will serve to highlight this point. While entertaining live casino games which provide users with the ability to interact with human dealers have existed for some time, this is really only the beginning. Some firms are planning to leverage the power of AR when creating virtual “lounges” where players can interact with real-time avatars of one another. This would indeed bring an entirely new sense of realism to any platform. While such concepts are still in their infancy, the fact of the matter is that they might be just around the corner. This brings us to the next main point.
The Impact of Machine Learning
How is it that AR and AI have been able to advance so quickly? After all, humans are not becoming smarter. One reason involves the process of machine learning. Thanks to massive increases in computing power, processors are now able to perform billions of tasks per second. They can also predict the outcomes of various events; a useful tool for real-world applications such as weather forecasting or tracking how a virus mutates.
These very same principles are now being used to create an entirely new generation of “thinking machines”. From a certain perspective, we could even say that we have entered into an age when robots are building other robots. Thus, the technology itself is capable of advancing at a truly breakneck pace.
How Far Away Are We from Living Within a Virtual World?
So, might the day come when we spend more time within the virtual world than physical reality? Consider how many hours individuals devote to browsing social media posts and playing online games, this concept may not be as unrealistic as it initially appears. Some companies are already experimenting with beta versions of AR-powered chat rooms and wireless AI headsets. It should therefore not be long before these gadgets become the norm.
There are still some barriers which need to be overcome. Cost is an important concern, as the average consumer is not likely to spend thousands upon an unfamiliar technology. Another question involves whether or not the devices themselves will be capable of handling such an influx of information. In other words, computer processors may need to evolve further before AI and AR are supported.
Either way, it is a foregone conclusion that these amazing technologies are here to stay. Whether we like it or not, both are slated to become very real facets of our daily lives.
Disclaimer:
- As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman and Sikkim, prohibit gambling
- Land-based casinos are legalized, with certain guidelines, in Goa and Daman, as per the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976
- Land-based casinos, Online gambling and E-gaming (games of chance) are legalized in Sikkim under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009
- Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries as per and subject to the conditions laid down by state laws. Kindly refer to the same here
- Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in a licensed premise in select states. Kindly refer to the 1996 Judgement by the Supreme Court Of India here and for more information
- This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or any of its staff.
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