The age of artificial intelligence (AI) is already upon us, taking over many functions that were once relegated to humans. In fact, we already make use of artificial intelligence almost every day when we talk with an automated phone system, ask for directions on our phones, or get real-time traffic alerts on our GPS.

Statista recently reported that the global AI market will reach $89 billion annually by 2025. Much of this growth will be powered by the integration of AI technology into the cloud computing environment.

What is AI cloud computing?

AI cloud computing is the merging of the machine learning capabilities of artificial intelligence with cloud-based computing environments, making intuitive, connected experiences possible. Digital assistants such as Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home combine a seamless flow of artificial intelligence technology and cloud-based computing resources to enable users to make purchases, adjust a smart thermostat, or hear a favorite song instantly.

Yet this is just the tip of a massive iceberg. Huge steps forward in AI, along with an established cloud computing environment, are setting the stage for more efficiency, flexibility, and strategic insight than the world has seen thus far.

Let’s take a look at how artificial intelligence is changing the world of cloud computing and what to expect in the near future.

How is AI changing cloud service?

Artificial intelligence tools are being used to deliver more value on existing cloud computing platforms. SaaS (software-as-a-service) providers are adding AI tools into larger software suites to provide greater functionality to end-users. For example, the popular customer relationship management platform, Salesforce, recently added Einstein, a tool that offers the ability to capture customer data, making it easier to track and personalize customer relationships.

Einstein helps businesses identify patterns in customer interactions and provides actionable insights to improve future interactions, such as advising users on what method of contact a particular customer prefers or making recommendations to further the relationship with prospects. This new functionality has enabled customers to turn data into actionable insights they can leverage to improve sales strategy, increase customer engagement, and sell more.

Let’s look at some of the other ways AI is changing the cloud landscape.

Improved Costs

It takes a lot of processing power to run advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to get meaningful results. Until recently, it was extremely cost-prohibitive for most companies to deploy AI technology in any meaningful way.

The integration of AI on cloud computing platforms changes the game, though.

It’s now possible for even the smallest businesses to take advantage of the power of AI technologies through AI-as-a-service (AIaaS) platforms. Similar to SaaS platforms, AlaaS platforms provide AI technology for a monthly fee, offering the processing power in the cloud, so it can be deployed anywhere. This significantly reduces upfront costs and can be scaled as business needs change.

But, the real savings will come when businesses begin utilizing the insights from their data to provide better service, conducting analyses without human intervention, or deploying more efficient processes that add greater value to the customer experience and the company’s bottom line.

Improved Productivity

Artificial intelligence is being used to streamline workloads and automate repetitive tasks within IT infrastructure, effectively increasing productivity.

We’ll likely soon see cloud services that rely on AI tools to manage, monitor, and even make corrections to systems—without human intervention. AI will also play a role in automating core processes.

Over time, experts predict that AI’s growing analytical capabilities will allow systems to run routine operations entirely on their own, providing IT teams with more time to focus on strategic functions, which provide more value, contribute to better service, and boost the bottom line.

Harnessing Big Data

While we’ve been hearing the term Big Data for a while, our ability to analyze the meaning of that data has lagged behind our ability to collect it. One study by Deloitte University Press predicted that the digital universe will contain over 44 Zettabytes of data by 2020. That’s 1 billion Terabytes of information!

With the advent of AI technology, deep learning algorithms are digesting vast amounts of data. The more data they consume, the better they become at identifying patterns, making predictions, and automating complexity.

The introduction of AI to the cloud computing infrastructure means more processing power for Big Data analytics that could eventually streamline delivery services, predict diseases, forecast stock portfolios and real estate investments, and so much more.

What We’re Expecting in 2020

Cognitive Computing APIs

Advances in cognitive computing, algorithms that combine pattern recognition, language processing, and data mining will get closer to imitating the workings of the human brain. We’ll likely see a surge in cognitive computing development that adds AI technology into existing applications without the need to create code from scratch. These include applications for computer vision and speech, translation, knowledge mapping, and even emotion detection.

Today’s photo apps are already making use of AI to help users categorize pictures more easily, eliminating the need for complex folder organization.

In the future, cognitive computing could be used to translate languages in real-time, direct traffic flow utilizing up-to-the-minute GPS data, or detect the emotions of visitors to improve customer engagement.

Virtual Assistants

Automated chatbots and virtual assistants have already begun to take over many customer service functions from answering simple questions to directing phone calls to the right representative. While the technology is far from perfect, these automated assistants are getting better at deciphering human language and learning to respond more appropriately.

In fact, over 10,000 UK-based companies are currently developing chatbots for their websites to improve customer service. Many experts believe that 85% of customer service conversations could be completed with virtual assistants in 2020.

Internet of Things (IoT)

Artificial intelligence technology and cloud computing have already begun connecting “smart” machines and managing the massive amounts of data they generate. From thermostats and smart appliances to self-driving cars, we already can issue commands to smart devices from just about anywhere, thanks to the internet and cloud computing.

However, as the computational ability of machine language continues to improve, IoT devices will eventually be able to gather data and make decisions on their own, without sending data back to the cloud. That will create truly intelligent machines that can adjust the thermostat on their own based on available data, remind us to pick up milk on the way home from work after someone uses the last of it, or even move our cars across the street to avoid a ticket for street cleaning.

Monroy ITS Can Help You Build a Cloud-Based Infrastructure

It truly is an exciting time to explore the potential of AI technology and its implications for businesses in the near and not-so-distant future. The integration of AI technology with cloud computing is poised to help us create meaning from massive amounts of data, streamline complex processes, and make product and service delivery more seamless and fluid than ever before.

Ready to see what a genuinely cloud-based infrastructure could do for your business? Getting information to and from the cloud has never been easier or more affordable with Monroy IT’s hosted cloud services, which scale with your business. Contact us today for more information!