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LESSON

AI 099. What are the strangest applications of AI today?

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ANSWER

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been applied in myriad ways across different fields, some of which are remarkably innovative and might seem strange or unconventional at first glance. Here are a few such applications:

AI Composing Music

AI systems like AIVA (Artificial Intelligence Virtual Artist) have been trained on the works of classical composers to generate original compositions. These AI composers can produce music for films, games, and even symphonies, challenging our notions of creativity and authorship.

AI Detecting Ripeness of Fruits

Researchers and companies have developed AI applications that use computer vision and machine learning to assess the ripeness of fruits such as avocados and bananas. This technology is used to improve harvesting times and reduce food waste, but the idea of an AI telling you when your avocado is perfect for that guacamole might seem a bit futuristic.

AI as a Fashion Designer

AI systems are being used to analyze trends in the fashion industry and generate new designs based on that data. These systems can create novel clothing patterns and styles, effectively acting as AI fashion designers. Brands like Stitch Fix use AI to personalize clothing selections for their customers.

AI Creating Perfumes

AI has been used to create unique fragrances by analyzing thousands of formulas and ingredients to predict appealing scent combinations. This application of AI in perfumery, combining art and science, is transforming how new fragrances are developed.

AI for Dream Control

Researchers are exploring the use of AI to influence and control dreams, a project named “Targeted Dream Incubation.” The idea is to guide the content of a person’s dreams towards particular themes by replaying certain cues during the early stages of sleep, blurring the lines between reality and dreams.

AI Detecting Ghosts

Though more on the fringe, there are projects where enthusiasts use AI and machine learning algorithms to analyze audio and visual data to detect potential paranormal activity. The application of such advanced technology to explore the supernatural is indeed a strange and intriguing development.

AI Training Bees

Scientists have experimented with using AI to train bees to detect certain smells, such as explosives or diseases like COVID-19, through their extraordinary olfactory abilities. The AI system adjusts the training process based on the bees’ responses to different scents.

AI as a Psychotherapist

AI chatbots and virtual therapists, such as Woebot, are designed to offer psychological support and counseling. They use natural language processing to interact with users, providing mental health assistance based on cognitive-behavioral techniques. While not a replacement for human therapists, these AI applications offer a glimpse into the future of mental health support.

These applications illustrate the vast and sometimes unexpected potential of AI. As technology advances, we can expect AI to continue permeating various aspects of life, sometimes in the most surprising ways.

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Quiz

What application of AI helps determine the perfect ripeness of fruits?
A) AI in cooking recipes
C) AI in ripeness detection
B) AI in harvesting automation
D) AI in genetic modification of fruits
The correct answer is C
The correct answer is C
Which AI application is involved in creating new fragrances?
A) AI as a culinary chef
C) AI as a fashion designer
B) AI as a music composer
D) AI in perfumery
The correct answer is D
The correct answer is D
AI has been used to train bees for which of the following purposes?
A) To produce more honey
C) To improve pollination efficiency
B) To detect diseases
D) To perform complex dance patterns
The correct answer is D
The correct answer is B

Analogy

Imagine you’re walking through a futuristic expo, “The AI Oddity Fair,” where inventors from around the world showcase their most unusual AI applications. Each booth presents a different, unconventional use of artificial intelligence, making you marvel at the creativity and sometimes the sheer absurdity of human ingenuity.

The AI Composer’s Orchestra

As you approach the first booth, you’re greeted by the harmonious sounds of an orchestra, but the musicians are robots, each conducting and playing instruments flawlessly. An AI composer, trained on centuries of music, directs the ensemble, creating symphonies that blend styles from Bach to the Beatles. It’s like watching a cooking show where the chef blends ingredients you’d never think to combine, creating surprisingly delightful dishes.

The Orchard of Future Fruits

Walking further, you stumble upon an indoor orchard where fruits hang from robotic branches. Here, AI determines the exact moment of peak ripeness, plucking fruits like avocados and bananas at the perfect second. It’s akin to a dating app for produce, where each fruit finds its perfect match in timing, ensuring you’ll never experience the disappointment of an overripe avocado again.

The Fashionista Bot

Next, you visit a booth draped in fabrics of all textures and colors. An AI, acting as a fashion designer, sketches out clothing based on current trends, personal style, and even the weather, sewing them together in moments. It’s as if your personal stylist were a weather forecaster, ensuring your outfit is not only chic but perfectly suited for the day’s climate.

The Scent Sculptor

A fragrant booth catches your attention next, where an AI “nose” mixes perfumes. By analyzing thousands of scents, it concocts personalized fragrances that it claims can evoke specific memories or emotions. Imagine a mixologist for scents, crafting cocktails of aromas that can take you back to your childhood kitchen or a cherished holiday.

The Dream Weaver

One of the most crowded booths is a sleep pod station, where AI devices claim to shape your dreams. By playing specific sounds and whispering narratives, they guide your nocturnal adventures towards pleasant or adventurous themes. It’s like a streaming service for dreams, where you choose the genre of your night’s story.

The Ghost Detector

In a dimly lit corner of the expo, a team of “paranormal investigators” employs AI to analyze audio and visual data for signs of spectral activity. It’s as if they’ve developed a social network for the afterlife, trying to connect with ghosts using the latest in machine learning.

The Bee Trainer

Lastly, you find yourself watching bees navigate mazes with surprising precision. These bees have been “trained” by AI to detect specific scents, from explosives to diseases. The sight reminds you of a highly specialized search dog, but in this case, it’s bees at the helm, their tiny wings fluttering towards their target.

Leaving the “AI Oddity Fair,” you’re bewildered by the breadth of AI’s reach into every corner of human (and non-human) experience. The fair serves as a vivid reminder that the future of AI is not just about robots and algorithms but about enhancing, expanding, and sometimes complicating the tapestry of life in the most unexpected ways.

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Dilemmas

Ethical Dilemma: Should AI be allowed to replace human creativity in fields traditionally dominated by human emotional expression, such as music composition and fashion design? Does this enhance or undermine the value of human creativity?
Privacy Dilemma: With AI applications like dream control or psychotherapy bots, how do we ensure the privacy and security of the personal and intimate information shared by users? What are the boundaries for AI in accessing our personal thoughts and emotions?
Responsibility Dilemma: If an AI-designed product fails or an AI-generated piece of music unintentionally violates copyright laws, who should be held responsible? Can AI be a legal entity, or should the developers and companies behind it always bear the responsibility?

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