Introduction

Imagine a world where your toaster not only toasts your bread to perfection but also engages in a philosophical conversation about the existence of the crust. Welcome to the era of artificial intelligence (AI), where even the simplest devices could rival Descartes in terms of reflection.

In this futuristic world, cars no longer just transport you from point A to point B. They tell you jokes along the way, know exactly when you need a coffee (and stop at the local café without you having to ask), and can even participate in an impromptu karaoke session in the middle of a traffic jam. Yes, AI is everywhere, and it's smarter than ever.

But before you imagine being surrounded by conscious robots, ready to discuss the latest Netflix series or challenge you to a game of chess, let's take a moment to understand what artificial intelligence really is. What lies behind these machines capable of thinking, understanding, and even learning? Hold on to your circuits, we're about to dive into the fascinating (and sometimes bewildering) world of AI!

AI then and now

Artificial intelligence has roots that go back to antiquity, with myths and legends about intelligent automatons. However, its modern history begins in 1956, at the Dartmouth conference, where the term "artificial intelligence" was officially introduced by John McCarthy. During the 1960s and 1970s, AI experienced its first successes with the development of programs capable of solving mathematical problems and playing chess. However, these early advances were followed by a period of disillusionment, known as the "AI winter," marked by unmet promises and declining funding.

The 1980s and 1990s saw a revival with the introduction of expert systems and neural networks. With the rise of the Internet and big data in the 2000s, combined with exponential computing power, AI underwent a revolution.

Today, it is ubiquitous in our daily lives, from virtual assistants to autonomous cars and personalized recommendations on streaming platforms. The rapid evolution of AI continues to transform many sectors, promising innovations that once seemed like science fiction.

Artificial intelligence is primarily divided into three types: narrow (or weak) AI, general (or strong) AI, and superintelligent AI. Narrow AI is specialized and designed to perform specific tasks, such as voice assistants, recommendation systems, or autonomous cars.

These systems perform limited functions and cannot generalize their knowledge to other domains. General AI, on the other hand, represents a hypothetical form of intelligence capable of understanding, learning, and applying knowledge in a versatile manner, similar to a human being. Currently, general AI remains a research goal rather than a concrete reality.

Finally, superintelligent AI is an intelligence that would far surpass human capabilities in all areas, including creativity, complex problem-solving, and decision-making. This type of AI, still theoretical, raises important ethical and philosophical questions about the future of humanity. Together, these three types of AI illustrate the diverse facets and potentials of this constantly evolving technology.

Artificial intelligences are characterized by their ability to process and generate natural language in an advanced manner through natural language processing (NLP) models and deep learning. These AIs rely on transformer neural networks, which allow them to understand the context and nuances of text, generate coherent and relevant responses, and continuously learn from vast sets of textual data.

They are capable of having fluid conversations, answering complex questions, and assisting in various writing tasks. These AIs are distinguished by their unique specializations and applications, such as optimization for specific fields or integration into knowledge management systems. They can be fine-tuned for particular needs, making their use adaptable to a variety of professional and personal contexts, while continuing to evolve thanks to rapid advances in the field of AI.

This technology, which can be seen as a new industrial revolution, can be useful to everyone if used correctly. Like any invention, both positive and negative uses can be imagined. Compared to traditional search engines like Google or Bing, AI allows for more targeted and structured responses to questions asked.

The result provided will depend greatly on the quality of the question posed (commonly called a "prompt"). Another advantage of this tool is its ability to gradually adapt its responses based on modifications made in successive prompts while remembering the overall context of the subject being discussed.

Search engines are already embedding their own AI models into the results. These are actually often wrong or imprecise in some facts pertaining to the generated summary but we'll need some time to make these better.

When used well, AI can become a very effective tutor for students, guiding them gradually during exercises and correcting them if necessary. Conversely, when used improperly, this same AI can be seen as an easy way to complete a student's homework without them gaining any learning from it.

A tool for SMEs

Similarly, artificial intelligence offers many advantages to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), helping them optimize their operations, improve their customer service, and boost their growth. AI tools can automate repetitive and administrative tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-value activities. For example, AI-powered chatbots can handle common customer inquiries, providing 24/7 customer support and improving customer satisfaction. Additionally, AI can analyze large amounts of data to provide valuable insights into market trends, customer behaviors, and business performance, enabling more informed and strategic decisions.

For SMEs, it is not always necessary to opt for self-hosted AI solutions. Using cloud-based AI services offered by specialized providers can be more cost-effective and easier to manage. These services are often scalable, allowing the business to adapt to growth without requiring significant initial investments in infrastructure.

The benefits of AI for SMEs include increased efficiency, reduced operational costs, improved customer experience, and the ability to leverage data for optimized decision-making. However, there are also potential drawbacks to consider.

Integrating AI may require employee training and adaptation, as well as data management and concerns related to security and privacy. Additionally, reliance on external cloud services can pose risks in terms of reliability and data control.

In short, adopting AI by SMEs can offer significant advantages but requires careful assessment of the company's specific needs, the capabilities of available solutions, and the implications for data management and security.

What we can offer

This is where our company, Net7, comes in.

Specializing in application management and integration, we also have strong development skills. We help SMEs integrate artificial intelligence into their processes effectively and custom-tailored. Thanks to our expertise, we identify the AI solutions best suited to your needs, implement high-performance tools, and train your teams to maximize the benefits of this technology.

Whether you opt for cloud-based solutions or more specific and customized systems, Net7 is your trusted partner to bring your business into the age of artificial intelligence. Together, we can turn your challenges into opportunities and ensure your success in an increasingly digital world.