5 Fresh Examples Of AI

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From chatbots to robots and data-driven algorithms, adoption of artificial intelligence has been for years. But the pandemic took AI to the level, with 52% of companies¹ accelerating their AI adoption plans because of COVID.

What used to be seen as niche is now widespread, with innovative AI applications across all industries. 86% of companies²say AI became a mainstream technology in 2021—and it shows no signs of stopping. 

AI transforms customer and employee experiences, increases productivity and efficiency, lowers costs, improves safety and helps the environment. Here are five fresh examples of AI in action: 

1 . REX Real Estate leverages AI for fast listings

Real estate is known for red tape and plenty of paperwork. REX Real Estate leverages AI to create a faster and more efficient process for listing and selling homes. Users enter their address and basic home features, including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. The Instant List³ feature’s algorithm then considers the home’s age, size and location to automatically recommend a list price and provide an estimate of how long it will take to sell. Instant List also populates the listing agreement and sends it to a local agent for signature. Automating the real estate listing process moves transactions along faster and leads to homes spending less time on the market. 

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2 . Xihelm robot harvests fragile vegetables at peak ripeness

With worldwide labor shortages, some of the hardest-hit industries have been farming and agriculture. To automate the picking process, Xihelm developed a robot⁴ that uses AI to identify when fruits and vegetables are ripe. The machine carefully picks fragile foods like tomatoes at peak ripeness and then packs them carefully. In addition, the system provides real-time data about how much of the crop is available to sell and if any plants are susceptible to disease. The robot greatly reduces farmers’ and growers’ high labor costs by working much faster than humans and picking only the best produce.

 3 . OneTrack uses AI to scan factory floors for safety risks

Each year, more than 34,000 people are seriously injured by material handling equipment. OneTrack’s AI-powered cameras⁵ scan factory floors to look for wobbling boxes, debris, improperly used equipment or other potential safety issues. The system then automatically alerts workers of safety risks so they can make adjustments and avoid accidents. The AI system is 7x more accurate than traditional telemetry systems and provides a real-time view of the factory floor and potential issues to keep workers safe and business moving forward. 

4 . Starbucks Deep Brew AI engine improves employee experience and offers personalized service

With more than 33,000 locations worldwide, Starbucks is constantly looking for ways to innovate and streamline operations. Its Deep Brew AI engine⁶ is designed to increase efficiency for store employees and create a better experience for customers. Internally, Deep Brew automates daily inventory orders, anticipates equipment maintenance and predicts staffing needs. For customers, it makes coffee suggestions based on the weather, time of day and each person’s preferences and order history. Starbucks collects a huge amount of data about all of its internal and external interactions, which then power smart decisions and improved performance. 

5 . OhmConnect uses AI and smart meter analytics to reduce energy costs

Energy costs are a necessary part of life for most people, but some companies use AI to reduce the cost and limit the environmental impact. OhmConnect⁷ customers connect their smart plugs, smart thermostats and smart appliances to a single system. AI tracks each home’s usage and automatically recommends when to save energy. During peak times, users get alerts about what devices to turn off, such as if they have a light on or are running the dishwasher when electricity is more expensive. If the customer agrees, the device is automatically shut down and then turned on again during non-peak times. On average, OhmConnect users save around $100 on energy costs every year.

*Sources cited in the comments section