BusinessDay: How advanced AI technologies are redefining intelligence

Neuro-symbolic AI, Embodied AI and Quantum AI promise capabilities that were once confined to science fiction.

By Johan Steyn, 23 October 2024

Published by BusinessDay: https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/columnists/2024-10-23-johan-steyn-how-advanced-ai-technologies-are-redefining-intelligence/

As we move further into the 21st century, artificial intelligence (AI) stands on the brink of a transformative evolution. While AI now excels in data processing, content generation, and providing insights, the next generation — defined by Neuro-symbolic AI, Embodied AI and Quantum AI, — promises capabilities that were once confined to science fiction.

These technologies are set to reshape how AI interacts with the world, reason with data, and address previously insurmountable challenges. Together, it is paving the way for a future in which machines will not only think but also reason, act and compute in ways that profoundly affect our lives.

Neuro-symbolic AI combines the pattern recognition strengths of neural networks with the logical reasoning abilities of symbolic AI. It allows AI to learn from data while applying logical principles in decision-making. In healthcare for instance, neuro-symbolic AI could analyse medical data to support doctors in diagnosing complex conditions, combining pattern recognition with expert knowledge for enhanced diagnostic accuracy.

Similarly, in finance, neuro-symbolic systems could identify emerging market trends while adhering to regulatory requirements for risk assessment. This dual capability lays the foundation for AI systems that are smarter, more adaptable, and capable of making nuanced decisions that reflect human-like reasoning.

Embodied AI takes AI beyond the digital world, allowing it to interact physically with its surroundings. While traditional AI remains confined to virtual spaces, embodied AI leverages physical sensors and actuators to perceive and respond to the real world. This capability is invaluable in industries in which AI needs cognitive and physical abilities.

In manufacturing for example, robots equipped with embodied AI can autonomously navigate warehouses, restock shelves and collaborate with human workers to optimise productivity. This not only improves operational efficiency but also reduces human error and increases safety in potentially hazardous environments.

In healthcare, embodied AI can assist surgeons during procedures by delivering precise movements and real-time data analysis, which enhances patient outcomes. By enabling machines to experience and interact with the physical world, embodied AI offers a richer understanding of environments and situations, allowing AI systems to move beyond data processing to active participation in the world around them.

Quantum AI takes computational capabilities to unprecedented levels through the power of quantum computing. Unlike classical computers that process information in binary bits (0s and 1s), quantum computers utilise quantum bits, or qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This unique characteristic enables quantum AI to perform complex calculations at remarkable speeds, making it ideal for solving challenges that are now beyond reach.

In pharmaceuticals for instance, quantum AI could simulate molecular interactions to accelerate drug discovery, allowing researchers to explore potential treatments far quicker. In logistics, quantum AI has the potential to optimise entire supply chains in real time, reducing costs and boosting efficiency across industries. By processing vast amounts of data and solving complex problems, quantum AI holds the promise of transforming sectors that depend on high-stakes decision-making and data analysis.

We find ourselves at a pivotal moment in the journey towards advanced intelligence systems. The convergence of these technologies opens up exciting possibilities for humanity, bringing forth innovations that will reshape industries and improve our daily lives. The evolution of AI is far from complete.

With Quantum, Embodied, and Neuro-Symbolic AI leading the charge, we stand on the threshold of a future filled with extraordinary promise and potential.