Part 3: AI in Our Daily Lives—Artificial Intelligence You Use Without Realizing It
Many people might think that "AI is a technology of the future." However, in reality, AI is already playing an active role in every aspect of our lives. We benefit from AI in small, everyday situations without even being aware that we are using it. In this installment, I will introduce several examples of how we utilize AI without realizing it.
Smartphone AI Assistants
"OK, Google," "Hey, Siri," "Alexa, what's the weather today?"—these voice assistants are all powered by the strength of AI. Smartphone AI assistants use voice recognition technology to analyze speech and return appropriate answers. While "machines that understand spoken language" were once the stuff of dreams, they have now become a standard feature.
Recently, AI assistants have moved beyond simple voice search to handle tasks like schedule management, setting reminders, translation, and even controlling home appliances. Especially with the spread of smart speakers, AI has become integrated into our homes.
SNS Recommendation Features
When you open Instagram or TikTok, "posts perfectly suited to your tastes" appear one after another. This is no coincidence, as these apps have powerful AI algorithms built into them.
For example, TikTok's "For You" page analyzes a user's viewing history and reactions (likes, comments, shares) to select videos tailored to that person. This is a system where AI learns and recommends the most suitable content.
Similarly, the "recommendations" on Netflix and YouTube are also determined by AI. They analyze "recently watched works" and "trends of other users" to decide and display content, thinking, "You will likely enjoy this video too."
Camera App Image Processing
AI is used extensively in smartphone cameras. Blurring the background in portrait mode or brightening night scenes is the result of AI-powered image analysis. On iPhone and Google Pixel cameras, AI recognizes the subject during shooting and performs optimal adjustments in real time.
Also, popular features like "skin smoothing" and "automatic makeup" use AI to analyze facial features and process them to look natural.
Online Shopping Recommendation Features
When you shop on Amazon or Rakuten, suggestions like "Recommended for you" or "Customers who bought this item also checked these products" appear. This is also an AI mechanism.
Shopping site AI analyzes vast amounts of purchase data to predict, "What is this person likely to buy next?" If you have ever clicked on a recommended product without much thought, that is proof that you are being influenced by AI.
Spam Email Filtering
Email services like Gmail and Outlook have features that automatically sort junk mail. This is also AI distinguishing between "suspicious emails" and "normal emails."
For example, AI automatically moves emails containing typical spam phrases like "Please transfer money immediately" or "You've won!" or those with patterns similar to past spam emails into the junk folder.
Automatic Translation and Character Recognition
Translation tools like Google Translate and DeepL are also evolving thanks to AI. While traditional translation software simply replaced words, current AI translation understands context and can convert text into more natural expressions.
Furthermore, the "real-time translation" feature that scans and translates text with a camera is also powered by AI. Being able to instantly translate signs and menus while traveling abroad is possible because AI recognizes the characters in the image and analyzes their meaning.
AI is no longer a "technology of the future"
As we have seen, AI has already permeated our lives. In fact, it is harder to imagine a life without AI. There are things we use without even realizing it, and others that become even more convenient if we use them consciously.
Some people may feel resistant to using AI, but if you are "using it without knowing it," it would be more beneficial to use it proactively.
Next time, we will introduce "Tips for Mastering AI—Practical Methods Even Beginners Can Use."
Today's Recommended AI Prompt
"You are a professional social media marketer. Please tell me specific strategies to increase my followers."
This is a recommended prompt for those who want to utilize social media. It might also be interesting to use AI to find a way of posting that suits you.