Thursday, November 07, 2024 | Jumada al-ula 4, 1446 H
clear sky
weather
OMAN
24°C / 24°C
EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Are you getting close to living in an “Intelligent World”?

minus
plus

Imagine getting up first thing in the morning with not just a customised alarm notification generated based on your liking (thanks to AI) but also an option to get briefed on the latest local and international news generated and customised to a set of categories based on your preference via a smart speaker with a built-in smart clock (think Amazon Echo, Google Home, Huawei AI Cube, etc.).


You leave your home in the evening where doors (smart locks/doors) are automatically locked behind you, lights (smart lights) inside the house get switched off, and air conditioning (smart ACs) are either turned off too or adjusted to your cooling preference (via the smart thermostat).


Your vehicle (smart car or autonomous car) is awaiting outside the house and is all ready to take you to your destination via the fastest route, ensuring it avoids the unnecessary traffic. As the car drives you to your destination, you can’t miss noticing light poles (smart poles) in the street turning on as you only pass (think smart city).


Some of these are a reality today; some may be just in sci-fi movies, but everything and more will most probably become a reality tomorrow—thanks to the “Intelligent World” that is in the making already! What is an “intelligent"world?"—where are we today and who are the major players—is what my article will try and shed on this week.


Almost every object tomorrow will have a sensor (to collect data and information around them), an actuator (to process this day in some kind of way as a form of instruction), and a networking device (to send and receive this data) with the help of a communication network (an infrastructure, be it wired or wireless). Everything will be interconnected, from your home devices, systems, streets, buildings, infrastructure, offices, and society as a whole.


Yes, the plan is to get everything in the world interconnected, and that’s the humble definition and promise of an “intelligent world." The question is, “What would it be required to achieve this bold mission?” and “Are we ready?”


Obviously, an “intelligent world” would rely on having innovations in technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and lastly, mobile communication networks (advanced 5G today and 6G tomorrow). Together, these technologies would undoubtedly contribute to the creation of a connected and smarter world.


A large amount of complex data generated from these objects, processed, and available to offer you the necessary information needed as a form of data, anywhere and in real-time, is what the “intelligent world” will promise to deliver as a concept. All the smart objects will not only collect data but also share it with you instantly to improve our lives. The result would ultimately look at having our homes, cities, industries, and the like getting smarter (thanks to the innovative technologies).


Are we ready, though? Yes, to some extent. I know for a fact that a number of tech giants (e.g., Huawei, Google, Microsoft, etc., to name a few) are working behind the scenes to make this concept a reality. Huawei, for instance, has full-stack technical capabilities in the areas of network, storage, computing, and cloud to support building AI-ready infrastructure. Furthermore, Huawei is working with global partners to help customers in various regions and industries worldwide lay a solid foundation for the intelligent era (aka world). Its focus on 5G networks, smart cities, and AI-powered cloud services as an example surely helps create new opportunities and support transforming our world intelligently.


How soon or far our world will become intelligent is not something I can surely predict or share at the moment, yet nevertheless, the proof is in the pudding from the innovative technologies, hungry players, and supportive partners who are working closely behind the scenes to make it a reality. On this front, I will be sharing updates and progress next week as soon as I am back from GITEX, the world’s largest technology conference and exhibition in Dubai. Until then, stay positive and upbeat about living intelligently.


SHARE ARTICLE
arrow up
home icon