Big data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) have transformed many aspects of our lives. It is no surprise that AI has been generating major media interest all around the world. What is usually less noted is the vital role that artificial intelligence can play in the social sector.

AI is already impacting society — from the way we support our families to the way workers do their jobs, AI is everywhere!

Here is everything you need to know about how AI has been impacting our lives when it comes to critical social domains.

 

Big Data Analytics & AI for Social Good

 

Co-authored by Parinita Gupta

 

 

These are certain areas in which big data analytics and AI can help address important challenges –

 

 

Agriculture

 

Agriculture involves a variety of factors that like temperature, soil conditions, weather, and water usage. AI can be used to monitor the data regarding these factors in real-time, thus optimizing the crop yield of small farms.

Global challenges like environmental issues, climate change, and food security are the greatest issues for humanity, with 821 million people facing chronic food deprivation in 2017. AI is the key to addressing such issues. Advanced algorithms can be used in the agriculture industry for livestock, crop management, water, and soil to improve every aspect of the industry, thereby reducing potential risks associated with the production of foods.

 

 

Crisis Response

 

Rainier Mallol, a scientist, had successfully predicted dengue outbreaks in the Dominican Republic at least three months in advance with about 81 percent accuracy using an AI algorithm. Such successful harnessing of data to predict deadly diseases can exceptionally change the way that we tackle epidemics, relief response to disasters, and even outbreaks! AI can be utilized through satellite data to foretell wildfire progressions and control the destruction. Also, it can be used in association with drones to look for missing people.

 

 

Education

 

The productivity of teachers and the achievement of students has already reached its best potential through AI. Not only does it improve the understanding of relevant concepts, but it also presents the courses in creative ways! For example, adaptive-learning technology can provide personalized content and recommendation to students and enhance their engagement with the course material. Read more about ML & AI in the education sector.

 

 

Environment

 

AI tools like TensorFlow have been remarkable in conserving many fragile rainforests around the globe. Combating climate change, pollution, and resource degradation can be easily done with AI.

The Rainforest Connection, a nonprofit organization, uses AI tools such as Google’s TensorFlow in conservation efforts across the world. This platform can use drones, user interface, and AI-powered image detection to capture illegal activities in vulnerable forest areas by analyzing audio-sensor data.

 

Related Article: Scopes of Big Data Analytics, ML & AI in the Renewable Energy Sector

 

 

Combating Bias

 

Affectiva is a successful case study that uses AI for emotional recognition and provides valuable social cues to help people with autism to interact better in social settings. Challenges like inclusiveness, equality, biases, and discrimination based on religion, race, and sexual orientation can be tackled with AI.

The use of AI has also mitigated risks when it comes to justice and democracy. Several countries have streamlined the issues of security and citizenship in terms of screening of people at the entry to detect lies and possible national threats, sorting temporary visa applications, and granting refugee protection.

 

 

Mental Health

 

Considering that in any given year at least one in five people across the world experience a mental health problem or illness, this is one area where machine learning can prove to be immensely useful.

Big data and machine learning algorithms can be used to predict self-destructive or suicidal behavior. This would not have been possible a decade ago, but it’s happening today and is showing great results in predicting patterns and early saving of lives.

 

 

Healthcare

 

Early diagnosis is the key to saving lives when it comes to the healthcare sector. Researchers at Stanford University have created an AI-based device for detecting diseases. Scanning images of lesions and cancer is done more effectively with the help of AI.

If made at an affordable cost, AI-based devices can help over 400 million people globally. Predicting behavior can be vital for social workers, social science practitioners, and policymakers when it comes to deploying solutions. It makes sense when big data can be used to predict behaviors. For instance, Machine Learning can be used to predict drug use relapse.

 

 

Information Validation

 

Fake news growing day by day and it is crucial to validate and present reliable and helpful information to the masses. This domain is concerned with the challenge of aiding the preparation, validation, and approval of valuable, and reliable information to all.

False content can have serious adverse outcomes like the manipulation of election results or even mob killings like in India and Mexico, triggered by the propagation of bogus news through messaging applications. Filtering distorted and misleading content on social media and the internet can be helpful for those who depend heavily on the web for their knowledge.

 

 

Future Scopes

 

Artificial Intelligence is more accessible now than ever before! Open-source tools like the Tensorflow and ML Kit do not need any technical expertise for you to implement AI. Such tools come with an easy to use interface that makes it relatively easy for you to manage social issues.

There is a myriad of ways that big data analytics AI are impacting social challenges in ways both positive and negative. The future development of machine learning and artificial intelligence should consider not only computer scientists, but also sociologists, anthropologists, lawyers, social workers, designers, economists, and historians to understand the effects and potential of AI and use it for the benefit of the social good.

Super-intelligent AI can well determine based on reams of high-quality and peer-reviewed research that we need policies and programs that are politically undisputable.

Universal basic income, decriminalization of all narcotics, flexible work policies, psychotropic treatment of addictions, nature-based incarceration, or any number of other bold-sounding social decisions need to emerge using AI.

 

 

Author Bio:

 

Parinita is a full-time banking professional. Additionally, she is also a passionate blogger and digital marketer.

She mostly writes about the Banking & Finance, Technology, and FinTech sector. But, she also enjoys writing on other topics as well.  You can follow her on Twitter.

 

 

Featured Image Source: Github