Artificial intelligence (AI) is seemingly everywhere. Right now, generative AI in particular—tools like Midjourney, ChatGPT, Gemini (previously Bard) and others—is at the peak of hype.

But as an academic discipline, AI has been around for much longer than just the last couple of years. When it comes to real-world applications, many have stayed hidden or relatively unknown. These AI tools are much less glossy than fantasy-image generators—yet they are also ubiquitous.

As various AI technologies continue to progress, we'll only see an increase of AI use in various industries. This includes health care and consumer tech, but also more concerning uses, such as warfare. Here's a rundown of some of the wide-ranging AI applications you may be less familiar with.

AI in health care

Various AI systems are already being used in the health field, both to improve patient outcomes and to advance health research.

One of the strengths of computer programs powered by artificial intelligence is their ability to sift through and analyze truly enormous data sets in a fraction of the time it would take a human—or even a team of humans—to accomplish.

For example, AI is helping researchers comb through vast genetic data libraries. By analyzing large data sets, geneticists can home in on genes that could contribute to various diseases, which in turn will help develop new diagnostic tests.

AI is also helping to speed up the search for medical treatments. Selecting and testing treatments for a particular disease can take ages, so leveraging AI's ability to comb through data can be helpful here, too.

For example, United States-based non-profit Every Cure is using AI algorithms to search through medical databases to match up existing medications with illnesses they might potentially work for. This approach promises to save significant time and resources.

The hidden AIs

Outside of medical research, other fields not directly related to computer science are also benefiting from AI.

At CERN, home of the Large Hadron Collider, a recently developed advanced AI algorithm is helping physicists tackle some of the most challenging aspects of analyzing the particle data generated in their experiments.

Last year, astronomers used an AI algorithm for the first time to identify a "potentially hazardous" asteroid—a space rock that might one day collide with Earth. This algorithm will be a core part of the operations of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory currently under construction in Chile.

One major area of our lives that uses largely "hidden" AI is transportation. Millions of flights and train trips are coordinated by AI all over the world. These AI systems are meant to optimize schedules to reduce costs and maximize efficiency.

Artificial intelligence can also manage real-time road traffic by analyzing traffic patterns, volume and other factors, and then adjusting traffic lights and signals accordingly. Navigation apps like Google Maps also use AI optimization algorithms to find the best path in their navigation systems.

AI is also present in various everyday items. Robot vacuum cleaners use AI software to process all their sensor inputs and deftly navigate our homes.

The most cutting-edge cars use AI in their suspension systems so passengers can enjoy a smooth ride.

Of course, there is also no shortage of more quirky AI applications. A few years ago, UK-based brewery startup IntelligentX used AI to make custom beers for its customers. Other breweries are also using AI to help them optimize beer production.

And Meet the Ganimals is a "collaborative social experiment" from the MIT Media Lab, which uses generative AI technologies to come up with new species that have never existed before.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.