Artificial Intelligence in Practice

Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) shows great promise to improve human decisions by incorporating data-driven knowledge. However, grandiose applications such as self-driving cars dominate conversations around data science, leading to misconceptions that impactful AI requires the fanciest/newest algorithms, i.e., deep learning and extensive computing power, i.e., GPUs.

Meanwhile, there is a range of approachable data science applications that can improve processes/decisions in an organization without much cost incurred in hardware. Especially for contexts such as Sri Lanka, where AI/ML is not yet ubiquitous.

This talk aims to ground the seemingly abstract promises of data science through examples where we used AI/ML algorithms to improve an operational/business objective by supporting human decisions. In addition, we'll briefly discuss the process of mapping a business goal to an AI/ML system and aspects of responsible and ethical AI.