To answer the question of whether AI and robotics fall under the concept of digitization, it is a good idea to start by defining all the concepts.
What is artificial intelligence (AI)?
AI is intelligence displayed by machines, unlike humans and animals – so-called natural intelligence. The term involves the theory and development of computer systems that can perform tasks that usually require a human; such as visual perception, voice recognition, decision making and translation between languages. In other words, it involves the simulation of human intelligence using machines.
What is robotization?
Robotics is the technological industry that deals with the design, construction, operation and application of robots. Robotization can be defined as the exchange of a person for a robot, ie. when a robot takes over tasks previously handled by a human. Others believe that it is about automating a process with the help of robot-controlled tools.
What is digitization?
Digitization means a change in working methods and processes based on digitized information. Digitization in itself entails a change in the value delivered to customers.
According to the definition of digitization, robotisation and AI can only be classified as digitization if they create a change in working methods and processes. If a robot takes over a human role, we can state that it entails a change in working methods. If AI is used to replace human intelligence, it is also possible in that case to assume that it means a change in working methods or process. This means that robotics and artificial intelligence reasonably fall under the concept of digitization.
How are robotization and AI used today?
AI and robotics are used in a number of different ways in practice today. In recent years, we have seen how AI solutions have been able to win over the world’s leading players in, among other things, chess, and the ancient game Go. In several industries, robots are already used today for various different tasks. In the future, robots are predicted to be relatively easy to facilitate for professions in the restaurant industry (the future waitress is likely to be a robot), elderly care, healthcare and much more.
Voice assistants such as Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s version Alexa are AI solutions many people use in their everyday lives. However, there may be some problems with the use of very new technology. For example, last year, attention was drawn to how a 6-year-old girl managed to order a dollhouse via her parents’ credit card through Alexa.
When this was then reported on the news, additional dollhouses were ordered through the TV voice in most households. The future of AI and robotics is very exciting, but in step with development, it is also important to be extremely aware of how technology can and should be used.