How AI is transforming daily life with drones, robots and self-driving cars
The technology uses machine learning to analyse data and learn like humans, making it a powerful tool for the future.
A simulation of the cockpit of a self-driving car at the Hong Kong Science Museum. Photo: Handout John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton, pioneers in artificial intelligence (AI), won the Nobel Prize in physics last month. Thanks to their groundbreaking research in machine learning, this technology has become an integral part of our lives.
AI in daily life
Drones are one great example of AI in action. These small remote-controlled flying devices can deliver packages, take sky-high photos and videos, and even help in emergencies.
For instance, the Hong Kong Fire Services Department uses AI to analyse photos taken by drones to assist in mountain rescue operations. These drones also use AI to carefully navigate through the air, avoid obstacles, and find the best routes to complete the mission quickly and safely.
Another fascinating area where AI is making an impact is in robotics. AI-powered robots are used in factories for building cars, in hospitals to assist doctors, and even at home to save us time on chores. For example, modern floor-cleaning robots use AI to learn the layout of your home, knowing which areas to clean or avoid.
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Among the most thrilling applications of AI is autonomous driving. Self-driving cars use AI to navigate traffic; equipped with sensors, these vehicles “see” their surroundings by detecting traffic lights, pedestrians, obstacles and other vehicles. This enables them to make decisions that a human driver would.
In Hong Kong, residents of Yuen Long’s Fairview Park are trying out self-driving minibuses to see how AI systems could replace human drivers.
How AI works
The way AI learns is similar to how humans learn. The first step in teaching an AI system involves collecting data from various sources.
For example, to train a self-driving car, thousands of pictures and videos of roads, cars and pedestrians are collected. These images are the car’s learning materials, much like how humans learn from textbooks.
The next step is training the AI with machine learning, which uses algorithms to make sense of the data. Machine learning can be divided into several categories, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning and reinforcement learning (see graphic).
Computer engineers are developing a more advanced form of machine learning called deep learning. Its algorithms use neural networks, which are designed to mimic how the human brain works. A neural network processes data in multiple layers which consist of interconnected nodes, similar to the brain’s neurons.
Each layer extracts different features from the data and helps the computer recognise patterns. By analysing vast amounts of data, experimenting with different outcomes, and refining its approach based on feedback, an AI system can become smart enough to figure out the best way to do things even when faced with new problems.
Between AI and me
As we look to the future, AI can be a promising tool to help us learn new things and make our lives easier. By understanding how it works, we can prepare for a future where we coexist with AI.
Explore more about AI at the Hong Kong Science Museum’s new exhibition, “Era of Intelligence”. The exhibition is free to visit from now until February 5, 2025. For details, please visit the Hong Kong Science Museum’s website.
Young Post has partnered with Hong Kong Science Museum and Hong Kong Space Museum to encourage your pursuit of science. Every month, the museums answer questions about the world around us, the cosmos and beyond.