What is Artificial Intelligence used for?
Artificial intelligence has become an essential tool in many industries, offering innovative solutions to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and optimize processes. Using powerful algorithms, AI can automate tasks, analyze vast amounts of data, and provide accurate recommendations. Here’s a look at the industries most transformed by artificial intelligence .
The most transformed sectors of activity
Health
In the healthcare sector, AI is used for faster and more accurate medical diagnostics , for the personalization of treatments , as well as for the optimization of hospital management . Deep learning algorithms make it possible to analyze medical images, identify early diseases, and assist doctors in making critical decisions.
Finance
In finance, AI is used for predictive market analysis, risk management , and fraud detection . Intelligent systems help automate financial processes while providing real-time analytics, improving profitability and transaction security.
Commerce and e-commerce
In retail and e-commerce, AI is revolutionizing the customer experience through personalized recommendation systems , supply chain optimization, and purchasing behavior analysis. Technologies like chatbots and virtual assistants are also improving customer service by offering 24/7 availability.
Transport and logistics
In the transportation and logistics sector, AI optimizes routes , reduces transportation costs , and helps automate autonomous vehicles. Machine learning algorithms anticipate transportation demand and improve fleet management in real time.
Manufacturing industry
The manufacturing industry is using AI for production line automation , predictive machine maintenance, and improving product quality. Intelligent robots make complex and repetitive tasks easier to perform , increasing efficiency and accuracy.
Marketing and customer service
In marketing, AI helps to better target ads , analyze consumer behavior, and optimize marketing campaigns. Companies are also using AI systems to improve customer service , through virtual assistants that can respond to user requests instantly and in a personalized manner.
Security and defense
In the field of security and defense, AI is used for intelligent surveillance , intrusion detection, and autonomous drone management. Artificial intelligence systems enable rapid responses to potential threats by analyzing data in real time.
Education
In education, AI promotes personalized learning through intelligent platforms that adapt to the needs of each student. Data analysis systems also allow us to better understand students' learning difficulties and adjust teaching methods accordingly.
Human resources
Human resources benefit from AI for recruiting , with systems capable of analyzing hundreds of resumes and pre-screening candidates . Additionally, AI helps with ongoing training by offering programs tailored to each employee’s skills.
Environment and agriculture
In the environment and agriculture sector, AI helps optimize the use of natural resources , such as water and fertilizers, by analyzing data from sensors and satellite images. Precision agriculture helps improve yields while reducing environmental impact.
Opportunities and risks of AI
Artificial intelligence has opened up immense opportunities in many fields. Thanks to advances such as GPT-3.5 , content generation (text, image, video) has become much more accessible and faster. This technology can not only automate processes , but also significantly reduce the workloads of employees in companies.
However, AI also brings its share of risks and concerns. Due to its ability to learn and evolve, experts fear that artificial intelligence could one day surpass humans in certain areas, and thus replace them. This is in any case what the Goldman Sachs study suggests , stating that, within a few years, more than 300 million jobs will disappear.
At the same time, people are questioning their privacy and personal data. Needing data to improve itself, will AI have access to everyone's personal data under the pretext of a major technological and economic development? Concerned about this catastrophic scenario, Europe and other companies, such as Google, are implementing regulations in their systems or through laws such as the AI Act .
In addition to these initial concerns, the danger of information manipulation and large-scale disinformation have become central concerns for AI companies and experts. Deepfakes , for example, are increasingly used to manipulate public opinion , as evidenced by the rise of modified videos and audio content. These technologies make it possible to create convincing fake images or videos that can influence the political process and society. In 2024, it is estimated that four billion people will go to the polls in more than 60 countries. The increasing use of AI in this context could seriously harm elections through the creation of fake campaigns or the spread of misleading messages.
A striking example is the use of AI to imitate Joe Biden ’s voice during the US primaries, or the creation of a video of Indonesian dictator Suharto calling for votes for a political party in Indonesia. AI , while extremely powerful, is also a double-edged sword. The French Development Agency (AFD) recently hosted a conference where experts discussed the human rights risks associated with AI, and solutions to limit its negative impact.
AI and its impact on warfare
Artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly changing the way wars are fought around the world. Recent conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and Gaza , have demonstrated that AI is now playing a central role in modern military strategies. With advanced technologies such as autonomous drones, facial recognition systems, and real-time data analytics, AI is enabling militaries to detect and attack targets with unprecedented precision.
In Ukraine , for example, companies like Palantir and Microsoft have made AI technologies available to analyze information at an accelerated rate, transforming the country into a true “laboratory of the war of the future.” The use of AI has offered a major tactical advantage, improving decision-making on the battlefield and strengthening the resilience of the Ukrainian army against the enemy. However, this use raises many ethical questions, particularly regarding autonomous weapons , which reduce human supervision in lethal decisions, increasing the risk of errors and civilian casualties. For its part, Israel uses military AI such as the Lavender system , capable of identifying human targets.
Unfortunately, the decline in human verification before strikes has led to tragedies, with civilians affected in conflict zones. These abuses show how problematic the management of AI in conflict can be if it is not rigorously controlled. Faced with these upheavals, many experts and observers are calling for international regulation of military AI, to prevent “killer robots” from becoming the norm. The arms race fueled by AI technologies continues to develop at an alarming speed, and without a legal framework, the risk of losing control of these systems increases.
How is AI perceived around the world?
The rise of artificial intelligence has profoundly impacted the global technology landscape. However, countries are adopting different approaches based on their economic, technological and ethical priorities. This landscape is mainly divided into three major poles : the United States, China and Europe, each of which has a major influence on the world stage.
A tri-polarized global context
America’s dominance in AI is undeniable, with giants like Google , Microsoft , and OpenAI leading the way. These companies are investing heavily in research and development, creating advanced AI systems like GPT-3 and GPT o1 , and thus strengthening the United States’ influence.
China, on the other hand, is positioning itself as a major technological rival, with significant government support. Its companies like Baidu and Tencent compete in key areas such as facial recognition and surveillance technologies. China’s lack of strict regulation (unlike the West) and large population give it a considerable advantage in the massive data collection that is essential for training artificial intelligence.
As for Europe , although it lags behind in terms of investments, it is focusing on the ethical regulation of AI with initiatives such as the AI Act and aims to strengthen its digital independence through funding programs such as Horizon Europe .
Countries' strategies regarding AI
National AI strategies differ depending on countries’ economic and social priorities. Here’s a look at the strategies adopted by some of the world’s leading players:
France
France has implemented several initiatives to become a leader in artificial intelligence. The Villani Plan , presented in 2018, outlined the national strategy for AI, with a focus on research and development, as well as AI ethics. In addition, France supports the creation of research hubs, such as INRIA and the PRAIRIE Institute , which play a key role in AI innovation and deployment. The government also encourages collaboration between the public, private and start-up sectors, while promoting a regulated and responsible approach to the adoption of AI technologies.
UNITED STATES
The United States is betting on an innovation-driven approach with strong support from the private sector . Their strategy is based on research and development programs such as the National AI Initiative , which aims to maintain their dominant position in AI research and innovation.
Canada
Canada was one of the first countries to launch a national AI strategy with a focus on public-private collaboration . Initiatives such as MILA and the Vector Institute are at the heart of this strategy, making Canada a leader in deep learning.
Germany
Germany is focusing on industrial and scientific AI, investing heavily in specialized competence centers and planning public-private partnerships to drive innovation in sectors such as automotive and healthcare.
Finland
Finland is taking a human-centric approach, with initiatives to improve business competitiveness and promote ethical AI. The Tekoälyaika report forms the basis of its strategy, promoting responsible use of AI .
Italy
Italy has adopted a more recent but ambitious strategy, focused on strengthening academic research and collaborations with the private sector, with the aim of catching up in the adoption of AI.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands is focusing on economic growth through AI. Its strategy is based on a national growth fund to encourage innovation in industrial sectors and foster the integration of AI technologies.
United Kingdom
The UK has a strategy to support university research , with institutions such as the Alan Turing Institute at the forefront. The focus is on developing start-ups and research centres specialising in health, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.
Swiss
Switzerland stands out for its approach based on the social acceptability of AI . The Digital Switzerland programme promotes AI projects in the public and private sectors, with particular attention to ethics and transparency.
Israel
Israel is a major player in cybersecurity and military applications of AI . The country promotes ethical AI and focuses on high-tech applications while actively collaborating internationally on AI regulation.
Japan
Japan is betting on human-centered AI, with initiatives such as SIP and MOONSHOT , which aim to create technological solutions to improve society in areas such as healthcare, robotics and mobility
