When you hear the term “artificial intelligence” or “AI,” a futuristic piece of technology probably comes to mind, such as a highly realistic android like those depicted in the film iRobot. But in reality, artificial intelligence technology spans a much broader realm, and many developers are looking at new, innovative ways to use AI for mobile apps.
Virtual assistants—namely, Siri and Cortana—represent the first mainstream manifestation of AI for mobile apps. These VAs use natural language processing (NLP) in conjunction with AI technology to provide intelligent and accurate responses to a user’s queries, instructions or comments. But where do we go from here? How can developers leverage AI in mobile apps?
More Advanced Virtual Assistants
As VAs become more sophisticated, we will likely see a higher level of artificial intelligence, whereby the mobile app anticipates or predicts the user’s actions or desires. This could open the door to some exciting advances in the mobile development world. We can also expect to encounter virtual assistants that are truly adaptive and autonomous, developing on-the-fly responses to never-before-heard queries or directives.
This is significant because the earliest VA technology could only interact in a predetermined manner. Essentially, the virtual assistant could only respond in a specific scenario if a programmer foresaw this particular situation and then programmed one or more possible reactions. If the VA was confronted with a unique query or command, it would be unable to answer because the proper reply was beyond what the VA was programmed to handle.
But VAs are changing; they are adaptive and intelligent, with an ability to learn, respond and interact in truly remarkable ways—ways that extend far beyond what a programmer could anticipate or predict. This means your app can provide far greater assistance to users, whether it’s by answering questions, completing virtual tasks or even entertaining.
VA technology is also seeing far greater integration within the mobile ecosystem, interacting with more hardware, device utilities and other third-party apps. This translates into apps that are more useful and intuitive.
The next generation of virtual assistants is rapidly gaining intelligence thanks to advances in other technological niches, such as machine learning and predictive analytics. Machine learning gives your app the power to identify trends and increase accuracy and efficiency over time. Meanwhile, predictive analytics engines can leverage data in a way that allows you to make predictions and anticipate a user’s actions, wants or needs. Artificial intelligence frequently uses both forms of technology.
AI Mobile Apps Deliver a More Personalized Experience
AI for mobile apps empower businesses to engage the user in a more personal way. This can take many forms, such as:
- Enabling you to place an order at a restaurant or coffee shop.
- Recommending a product, service or destination based on your habits and preferences.
- Connecting with and controlling IoT-enabled devices or equipment, such as opening the garage door and turning on the porch light when you approach your home in a vehicle.
- Offering to launch an app or a particular functionality when certain conditions arise, such as the erratic movements that may occur when you’re lost in a maze of city streets.
As AI becomes more mainstream in mobile devices, it’s conceivable that we could soon see an app that automatically places an order at your favorite coffee shop when it detects that you’ve left your home and are en route to work. So your latte will be ready for you by the time you step up to the counter—and you didn’t have to go out of your way to interact with an app or place an order in advance. It was all done on your behalf, thanks to the power of AI for mobile apps. Anticipating a user’s desire for coffee may seem simple, but it’s one that requires some complex technology.
Artificial Intelligence Apps Allow for More IoT Integration
AI lends itself well to IoT integration, so many developers are looking for ways to include AI technology in their IoT-related mobile apps. Something as seemingly simple as turning on a light moments before a homeowner’s arrival can prove very useful. This would represent a major improvement over the current technology, which requires the user’s input to turn on the light. But this is a case where AI can be utilized to evaluate the individual’s location, their direction, speed of travel and their presumed destination. And once it becomes apparent that a person is going home at a time when it would be dark, the app can interact with the IoT-enabled lighting to illuminate the lights just before they’re needed, thereby maximizing energy efficiency.
IoT lighting integration is just one possible application of AI technology. The possibilities are truly limitless, which is great news for companies seeking a development team to make their high-tech vision a reality.
It’s critical that you choose a mobile developer who is comfortable with artificial intelligence. You want to ensure the developer has the technological know-how required to take your project from the drawing board to the user’s device. This is one area where 7T excels, as we have lots of expertise in emerging fields such as predictive analytics, augmented reality, virtual reality and AI for mobile apps.
Our offices are based in Dallas, with regional offices in Austin and Houston. 7T’ clientele spans beyond Texas, as we work with clients across the United States. Contact us today to learn more about our innovative mobile development technologies.
