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Takaidza Mabuto, [email protected]
ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) refers to the development of computer systems that mimic human intelligence. This article highlights how AI is not science fiction but is already integrated into industries and our daily routines. AI is rarely the “pilot” of our lives, but it has become the ultimate “co-pilot”, handling data-heavy tasks so that humans can focus on decision-making. AI is changing our lives every day, and the change is happening at a very fast pace. We will look closely at some of the areas where the
AI revolution continues to develop, and in doing so, we first briefly single out some key AI interventions, such as Personalisation, Optimisation and Pattern Recognition.
Personalisation: AI tailors experiences to the individual user by learning your habits. This helps with content generation, shopping recommendations and news feeds.
Optimisation: AI is great at finding the most efficient route or method to save time and money. AI is like a smart assistant helping you do more with less effort (eg Virtual Assistants)
Pattern Recognition: AI is excellent at spotting anomalies that humans might miss because it doesn’t get tired or distracted.
You likely used AI five times before you finished your morning coffee; unbelievable it is, but let’s take something which has literally become the sixth finger in your hand — the smartphone.
Daily Technology — Mobile Applications
AI enables you to use your Face ID (iPhone) to unlock your phone by mapping your facial features and many smart phones have a GPS and location services powered by AI such as Google Maps, Uber and
Wave. AI predicts routes and traffic using real time data. AI powered location technology is like having a super-smart travel colleague. Smartphones also use AI voice commands to enable hands free calls, set reminders and play music. Voice commands are enabled through the process of AI understanding speech and then executing the given tasks. Ever wondered how your phone takes pro-looking pictures? AI is behind the scenes, making photography easier and better including face and smile detection. AI makes photography intuitive, helping you capture life’s moments with relative ease. Those who use their smart phones in the gym or during fitness sessions will recall that you can track your jogging routes, track your fitness activities and monitor your heart rate — all this is powered by AI tools such as Strava or Google
Fit. One important feature we are all very accustomed to is the “autocomplete” function on our phones, predicting the next likely word based on billions of text examples.
Banking
Fraud detection — AI is transforming banking, making services faster and more secure. If you try to buy coffee in Harare and 10 minutes later your card is used in Lagos, the bank blocks the card. A human did not do that; an AI system flagged the “impossible travel time” instantly. AI spots unusual patterns and blocks suspicious transactions in real time.
Anti Money Laundering (AML) — AI spots suspicious transactions activity (transaction patterns) and reduces false positives to focus on real risk.
KYC (Know Your Customer) — AI automates identity checks (biometrics) and speeds up account opening reducing paperwork.
Credit Scoring — AI assesses risk (credit risk behaviour) allowing for faster loan approvals and tailored offers.
Chatbots and Support-AI handles queries and guides users by handling requests pertaining to balance enquiries and transaction history.
Agriculture
Precision Agriculture — AI is excellent at spotting anomalies that humans might miss because it doesn’t get tired or distracted. Farmers use AI-driven drones to scan fields. AI identifies exactly which patch of crops needs water or fertiliser, saving the farmer money and protecting the environment from chemical overuse.
Predictive Analytics — AI forecasts yield and suggests planting time and predicts the best harvest windows for maximum profit.
Smart irrigation — AI optimises water use (soil moisture) through autonomous and intelligent irrigation systems based on real time data.
Weather Forecasting — AI predicts local weather patterns and is very reliable when it comes to drought management and flood alerts. AI can recommend drought resistant crops based on climatic conditions and offer warning alerts for farmers to secure their livestock when there is an impending flood.
Pest Control — AI spots pests early through image recognition and assists farmers to target specific areas for pest control thus reducing the application of chemicals. AI forecasts (predictive pest management) pest outbreaks and quickly suggests preventive measures.
Healthcare
Radiology — In major hospitals today, AI systems review X-rays and MRI scans. They detect early signs of lung cancer with higher accuracy than tired human eyes. The AI highlights the suspicious area, and the doctor makes the final diagnosis.
Predictive Analytics — AI predicts disease risk in areas such as diabetes and heart disease. AI identifies high risk patients for early intervention by spotting early signs of deterioration in vital organs. AI can also detect Readmission risk and targets post discharge care for high-risk patients.
Drug Discovery and Development — AI speeds up drug creating, predicts drug efficacy and how drugs will work in humans. Think of AI designed drugs in clinical trials reducing the need to use animals for testing the efficacy of drugs.
What next?
Artificial Intelligence has quietly woven itself into the fabric of everyday life, acting as an invisible helper that simplifies tasks, enhances decision-making, and improves convenience. From the recommendations we receive online to the navigation systems guiding our journeys, AI operates seamlessly in the background, often unnoticed yet profoundly influential. By understanding its role, we move beyond the perception of AI as a distant, futuristic concept and recognise it as a present-day partner shaping how we live, work, and interact. The true value of AI lies not in replacing human intelligence but in complementing it — amplifying our abilities, reducing inefficiencies, and opening new opportunities for innovation.
The question remains “If AI is already our invisible helper, how visible should its influence be?”
l Takaidza Mabuto is a certified artificial intelligence (AI) expert and risk management practitioner with vast banking experience. He can be reached on email [email protected]
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