Learn how AI trends change the way we live and work.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have gained significant prominence, topping the charts of Gartner’s 2023 Hype Cycle.

Delving into the ramifications of these emerging trends, Mr David Leong, Principal Lecturer (Industry) at RP School of Infocomm shares his insights into this rapidly evolving field.

Mr David Leong, Principal Lecturer (Industry), RP School of Infocomm, is at the forefront of AI-related topics

AI technologies such as deep learning, computer vision, and natural language processing have transformed the way we live and work.

Generative AI, in particular, possesses tremendous transformative potential. This AI category has the capacity to create novel content, encompassing text, images, and even music, by assimilating knowledge from pre-existing data.

Many are likely acquainted with programmes like ChatGPT, which can be harnessed for tasks such as responding to queries, offering explanations, and participating in text-based dialogues. Such programmes find utility across a wide spectrum of domains, including customer support, content generation, and language translation. Another prominent example is Midjourney, an AI image generator that can be used to produce readily available stock photos for marketing materials.

Through enabling faster, large-scale processing, creation, and analysis, generative AI empowers users to embark on endeavours that were once out of reach, or to attain higher levels of productivity within their respective domains. This augmentation enables improved creativity, decision-making, and efficiency, benefitting individuals and professionals alike.

An image produced by Midjourney exemplifies the capabilities of this AI art service, empowering users to craft their own illustrations and images by providing specific prompts

Mr. Leong further shares the multifaceted benefits of this technology.

Large corporations harness generative AI to amplify the effectiveness of their marketing and advertising efforts — such as Google’s AI-generated advertisements and Coca-Cola’s innovative campaigns — providing competitive advantages in terms of customer engagement and loyalty.

In the education sector, the customisation of learning materials to suit the unique needs of students can lead to improved outcomes. In the field of science, generative AI has the capability to propose new hypotheses and experimental designs, and even accelerate pharmaceutical discoveries by identifying potential candidates for drug trials.

For individuals, generative AI allows routine operations or tasks to be automated, opening up many new opportunities for jobs that require higher-order thinking or creativity. Generative AI can also elevate work efficiency and productivity, particularly in occupations and tasks involving writing, coding, and research.

Applications of the technology in areas such as law, finance, and healthcare are being researched and could affect the way these fields function in the future.

Given the rapid evolution of AI, both organisations and individuals must proactively seek ways to adapt to this changing landscape.

The adoption of new skills and mindsets is imperative to thrive in AI-augmented workplaces. Staying ahead of technology trends is essential, as it enables a deeper understanding of how AI can be harnessed to its fullest potential.

While generative AI presents numerous benefits, it also poses significant challenges pertaining to ethics and privacy. The technology can be misused, leading to issues such as copyright infringement and the spread of misinformation. For example, deepfake technology has been used in scams to deceive unsuspecting victims.

“It is crucial for us to take a proactive approach in comprehending and responsibly navigating these trends,” Mr Leong shares, emphasising that strong ethics are needed to ensure the responsible and fair use of AI-generated content.

Generative AI is not the only noteworthy trend. AI has also reshaped industry collaborations by creating new opportunities for innovation and growth, altering the dynamics of organisation partnerships.

Mr Leong cited the example of Health Promotion Board collaborating with Apple to develop the LumiHealth programme. These two organisations traditionally have very little overlap, but were able to pool their expertise and design an AI-driven health application.

Technology companies are also partnering with traditional industries to integrate AI solutions into existing processes and systems. “It enables the non-tech industries to harness AI's capabilities without the need to hire any in-house expertise,” Mr Leong explains.

RP’s partnerships within the AI sphere have yielded innovative results as well. Mr Leong elaborates, “We are working with ST Engineering for performance optimisation in digital signal processing. We have also worked closely with Tetsuyu Healthcare to develop a solution for early diabetes detection through non-invasive ways such as foot images.”

By opening up more avenues for collaboration, technological solutions that combine diverse expertise and resources can be created, further evolving the way we live and work.

To facilitate collaborations and ideate new AI solutions, RP School of Infocomm has two established laboratories — the AI Research and Solution Lab and the AI Exploration and Experiential Lab.

RP students learning in the AI Exploration and Experiential Lab

As explained by Mr Leong, the primary goal of the AI Research and Solution lab is to support funded research and commissioned projects in AI modelling, development and deployment. On the other hand, the AI Exploration and Experiential Lab serves as a sandbox environment for staff and students to engage in AI experimentation, enhancing their awareness of new technologies and solutions.

“The AI Exploration and Experiential Lab also serves as an excellent venue for us to showcase RP’s AI capabilities, highlighting our past innovative projects that have been adopted and commercialised,” remarks Mr Leong.

Facilities like these play a pivotal role in driving and expediting breakthroughs in AI solutions, fundamentally reshaping the way we lead our lives and conduct our work.

In a world increasingly embracing novel ways of integrating AI, it is even more imperative for us to equip ourselves with the requisite knowledge and skills to remain at the forefront of this ever-evolving landscape.