INNOVATION BLOG

The world of artificial intelligence is vast and varied. While much of the recent media focus has been on Generative AIs such as OpenAI’s CHATGPT or Google’s Bard, however many other types of AI are quietly working behind the scenes to change our world. These “lesser Known AI” may not grab headlines, but they are changing our lives.

One of the most exciting examples of lesser-known AIs is Google’s DeepMind, which has been working to reduce the energy consumption of data centers. Data centers are the backbone of the internet, handling the vast amounts of information we access daily. Datacenters also consume a tremendous amount of energy, and this energy consumption is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions. Using DeepMind AI to optimize DC cooling systems, Google was able to reduce energy consumption in its data centers by up to 40%. This is a significant achievement that has a tangible impact on the environment, to put it into context every Google search contributes to 0.2 grams of CO2 emission; with 89.3 billion monthly searches worldwide, you can see clearly how a 40% in power reduction translates. 

Similar to data centers other lesser-known AIs are working on commercial building heating, ventilation and conditioning (HVAC). By analyzing data from sensors and other sources, AI models are identifying energy usage patterns and adjusting to the external climate. For example, companies such as BuildingIQ and Sener’s Respira have developed AI platforms that optimize HVAC systems in commercial buildings. By analyzing data from sensors and weather forecasts, the platform can adjust heating and cooling systems to reduce energy consumption and system efficiency,  while maintaining a comfortable environment for occupants. This technology has already been deployed in thousands of buildings worldwide, saving millions in energy costs.

Beyond datacenters and commercial buildings, Artificial intelligence is advancing our critical research and pharmaceutical sectors.

Less-known AI are making a big difference in the healthcare sector. AI models are today analyzing medical images, such as ultrasounds and mammograms, to identify early signs of cancer and other diseases. This technology is incredibly powerful, as it can analyze large amounts of data quickly and accurately, helping doctors make more informed decisions about patient care. One example is the Cancer Detection AI developed by Google’s Verily Life Sciences. This AI is trained to identify signs of breast cancer in mammograms and has been shown to outperform human radiologists. As a result, this technology can revolutionize cancer diagnosis, making it faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective. Just imagine the benefit of detecting breast cancer years before onset.

On the research side, Bioinformatics and Pharmaceutical drug discovery are heavily benefitting from the lesser-known AIs. Here AI models are helping scientists realize knowledge and develop accurate drugs through protein-to-protein interaction and function-to-structure analysis. Modelling how proteins interact, function or react to novel drugs has revolutionized the process of drug development. Imagine drugs with fewer side effects and more efficacy.

Much of the media focus on AI has been language-based AI, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Bard. However, many other AI types quietly make a big difference in our lives. These lesser-known AI significantly improve our world, from reducing energy consumption in data centers to revolutionizing cancer diagnosis and drug development. As we continue to develop AI technology, it’s important to remember that there is more to AI than just chatbots, virtual assistants and code writing. The true power of AI lies in its ability to solve complex problems and make our world a better place.