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Brief History
The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) is a recent phenomenon, but the foundation of AI was laid by early pioneers, including Alan Turing and John McCarthy in the mid-20th century. Similarly, the term IoT was coined later but has its roots in the early computer networks and embedded systems developed in the 1970s and 1980s. Researchers continued analyzing AI and IoT technologies even after their convergence to make them advanced because they found great potential in them for the human race. Unlike AI, the introduction of AIoT as a distinct concept was not attributed to a specific individual. Researchers, entrepreneurs, and engineers from both the AI and IoT fields have contributed to the development of AIoT, which finally emerged in the early 21st century. Several key factors, including advancements in AI and widespread use of IoT devices, have helped emerge a new revolution in technology.
Introduction
Artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things have been the center of attention for a long time, and people have already experienced the abilities of these two technologies. Nowadays, most technologies are adopting AI, and many devices are being updated with IoT. Seeing these two technologies reshaping human life by making things easier, researchers started thinking of something more potent by combining AI and IoT. After brainstorming and researching, a new concept emerged: today's AIoT technology. AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) refers to a technology that uses the abilities of both AI and IoT, which means having decision-making abilities along with the connectivity of machines. Introducing AIoT is a new paradigm shift in the technological field. Automation of machines is taking on dimensions today with the convergence of AIoT.
How do AI and IoT contribute to AIoT?
The Internet of Things refers to a network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances, and other devices embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and actuators, enabling devices to connect and exchange data. IoT technology helps devices collect, process, and share data among connected devices. This data can be used to automate tasks, improve efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and ultimately make life easier. IoT devices can also learn user preferences over time with the sensors installed in them. When smart devices send data sets, AI starts processing them and making the required decisions with its intelligence. By synchronizing the abilities of AI and IoT, machines can now stay connected, learn from the environment, and make intelligent decisions. This new capability of machines is known as AIoT technology.
The benefits of AIoT technology
AIoT technology is now available in smart devices, also known as AIoT devices, used in many sectors. These devices have changed the dimensions of work, making things more accessible and efficient.
Increased efficiency: AIoT devices like smart fans and smart ACs can work together, understanding the temperature, to maintain room temperature efficiently. AIoT-powered systems optimize work by automating tasks, predicting machine failures, and streamlining workflows.
Decision-making: IoT devices can make intelligent decisions using AI algorithms by analyzing data. For instance, an AIoT-driven TV can learn user preferences over time and make decisions according to them. If a user prefers watching music videos at a higher volume than watching news, an AIoT-powered TV will decide to maintain a higher volume of music videos for that particular user.
Cost reduction: IoT devices can optimize resource utilization and reduce equipment failures. They are designed with sensors that can collect environmental data, such as movement, temperature, daylight, etc. By analyzing data, AIoT devices can maintain energy consumption and reduce waste. For instance, AIoT-powered lights can detect daylight and maintain brightness automatically to reduce energy consumption.
Smart Home Ecosystem by AIoT
Now, let's examine how the smart home ecosystem concept has emerged using AIoT.
A smart home ecosystem refers to the interconnectivity of devices within a home that builds an automated lifestyle for the user, enhancing convenience, efficiency, and security. For instance, we can think of a person named Johnson living in a smart home. Here is how Johnson's smart home ecosystem works throughout a typical day:
Morning routine: Johnson used to wake up by 7 AM. Devices in his smart home can learn this user preference with sensors and automatically increase light from smart bulbs and play a soothing sound from his smart speakers. Besides, the AI algorithm of AIoT technology instructs the thermostat to adjust the temperature to the morning setting and his AIoT-powered coffee maker to start brewing fresh coffee.
Leaving for work: While leaving for work, Johnson activates the away mode either with a voice command or from his smartphone. The AIoT technology in his smart home reads that command and takes the required actions. These actions lock all the doors, turn off unnecessary lights, and use devices like air conditioners to reduce energy consumption. The security cameras in Jhonson's smart home are also AIoT-powered. They start monitoring his property and sending notifications of unusual activities.
Evening routine: When Johnson returns from work, his body requires treatment to overcome daylong boredom. Smart bulbs in his smart home adjust to a warm, inviting setting. He can also ask his smart speaker to play music or the TV to stream a movie.
This is an example of a smart home ecosystem where lifestyles become easier and more automated. AIoT enables communication among devices and decision-making abilities.
Drawbacks and risks
The Artificial Intelligence of Things, also known as the AIoT, comes with pros and cons, just like other technologies. AIoT technology has access to personalized data because of its ability to assess and collect data from the environment. Users face security vulnerabilities when using IoT devices. Since these devices are interconnected, they can create multiple entry points for cyberattacks. For example, if an AIoT-powered camera is hacked, intruders can breach the security system and harm users' safety. Similarly, if the system faces cyberattacks, it can cause the loss of essential data, even on the phone that is used to give commands.
Generally, AIoT devices and smart home ecosystems are costly and can lead to unequal benefits. Relying on a fully automated lifestyle significantly reduces physical labor and contributes to various health issues. Overall life expectancy may also be affected by automation. Sometimes, there can also be miscommunications between the devices and the users because of a wrong or incomplete command.
Conclusion
In conclusion, AIoT represents a transformative convergence of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. Technological advancement takes on new dimensions with AIoT. With AIoT, it’s like having everything automated in your lifestyle using commands. Research is ongoing to develop something more accessible and effective than AIoT to benefit the human race and move toward a brighter future. Scientists and researchers are now considering establishing a direct connection between the human brain and IoT devices, allowing smart devices to read commands directly from the human brain. What we think will be the command for devices. This concept is known as brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) or neural interfaces. So, the evolution of technology is ongoing, and we have to use these technologies wisely to get the full potential out of them.
Reference
Sun, Z., Zhu, M., Zhang, Z., Chen, Z., Shi, Q., Shan, X., Yeow, R. C. H., & Lee, C. (2021). Artificial Intelligence of Things (IoT) Enabled Virtual Shop Applications Using Self‐Powered Sensor Enhanced Soft Robotic Manipulator. Advanced Science, 8(14). https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202100230
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