The AI Advantage

Tom Shaw

Software Developer and Digital Storyteller

Discover the essentials of AI, automation, and chatbots with Tom Shaw. Whether you're curious about how AI works or looking to automate your daily tasks, this Step demystifies complex concepts. Boost your productivity and build future-proof skills.

Creating Value with AI Tools

The AI Advantage

12 mins 9 secs

Key learning objectives:

Understand what artificial intelligence (AI) is and how it works
Understand the concept of automation and its applications
Understand what chatbots are and how they function

Overview:

Technologies and tools such as AI, automation, APIs and chatbots shape the modern workplace - the important thing to know is that you don’t need to be a coder to benefit from these digital tools! Tom Shaw walks through real-world examples and explains how AI models work and how they are trained. Whether you're looking to streamline tasks or boost productivity, this Step sets the foundation for integrating AI and automation into your everyday workflow.

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Summary

What is artificial intelligence and how does it work?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is when computers are programmed to solve problems in ways that resemble human thinking. They can handle tasks like understanding language, recognising patterns, and making decisions. AI models are trained using large datasets, allowing them to predict outcomes based on inputs.

At a fundamental level, AI is predictive maths, using data to make predictions based on user inputs. For example, to train an AI to recognise numbers in images, you’d provide thousands of examples to teach the model what each number looks like in different contexts. While the process sounds complex, understanding that AI is simply using existing data to predict results makes it much more accessible.

What is automation and how is it used?

Automation refers to tasks performed automatically by machines or software without human intervention. These can range from simple, repetitive tasks to more complex processes. In everyday life, you might use automation to control smart home devices like setting lights and heating at a specific time without having to do it manually. In a work setting, automation could involve automatically sorting emails based on their content, saving time and boosting productivity.

You can build automations with no-code or low-code tools like Zapier or Make. While these tools make it easier for non-programmers to create automations, for more complex processes or those that run frequently, writing your own code may be more cost-effective.

What are APIs and why are they important?

API stands for Application Programming Interface. An API allows two applications to communicate with each other without requiring direct access to the other system’s backend. APIs are key in AI and automation, enabling systems to interact and share data efficiently.

APIs play a crucial role in automating tasks and integrating different services, making them an essential tool for software development and AI.

What are chatbots?

Chatbots are software designed to automate interactions with users through conversations. Basic chatbots operate on a simple "if this, then that" structure, guiding users through predefined options, like customer support systems asking you to press numbers for different queries. More advanced chatbots, like the ones we have today, are often powered by AI. These can understand natural language inputs and respond intelligently without needing predefined options.

Many companies use chatbots to streamline customer service, directing users to the appropriate department based on their problem. These bots are increasingly powered by AI, blurring the line between traditional automation and artificial intelligence.

The opinions and viewpoints expressed in this video are those of the creator and do not necessarily reflect the views of any affiliated organisations.

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Tom Shaw

Tom Shaw is a software developer with the mission to inspire as many people as possible to get into tech. He is also a content creator and has amassed a huge following on social media by providing practical and engaging tips on how to use code to further your productivity and career prospects. Tom focuses on making coding fun and shows how you can build efficient and fun solutions by showcasing how he builds his projects, what he gets up to as a developer. He has worked as a freelance software developer, building products and systems for clients all around the world that range from innovative startups to some of the biggest companies.

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