Robotics and Artificial Intelligence – Part 3 – Services Applications

Introduction

A Robot is a programmable, multi-functional, machine designed to perform complex tasks with a degree of autonomy when required.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy, which can provide responses to the information provided.

When we refer to Services it includes many Activities in our every day lives. It’s because this article tends to be more personal the effect of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on People is extremely important. We have seen with Manufacturing the more we apply Robotics and AI it generally means we need less Human involvement. The same applies to Services, especially when we consider AI and its effects.

Human Intelligence -v- Artificial Intelligence

As we know Human Intelligence varies from Human to Human but in general Human Intelligence depends on the processing of millions of pieces of information, from our real-time senses, Sight, Sound, Touch, Smell and Taste and our Stored Memory that we acquire from our Experiences or External Information. From this information our Brain processes it and can make judgements or take actions almost instantaneously. However, each of us tend to have different Senses, Brain processing and especially the ‘Limited Stored Memory’ which at times gives us different results, that are not always the correct ones. One of the most important part of our level of Intelligence is by ‘Learning’ and retaining that knowledge and skills from the day we are born to the end of our days.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expanding at an alarming rate but what is it? We could in simple terms say that AI is in fact a Brain that can have Senses and Memory and processes the information but in different ways. The Senses are normally Individual Sensors for (Sound, Touch, Smell and Taste) and Digital Cameras (Sight and Sound). However, the big difference is the amount of Memory and Access to External Information (Data) that AI has which is huge compared to the Human. AI is also a sophisticated Learning Environment, including; Machine Learning and Deep Learning that uses the Knowledge and Skill to operate Robotics, Compare and Identify items or things, Create AI Images and many other activities. AI is becoming more powerful every day as it can do many tasks that Humans do much quicker and more comprehensively, 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. The Tech Companies are Investing Billions of Dollars in creating AI Software using Supercomputers such as the one below.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Company Effects

In the past few days there has been many news articles about Banks and Tech Companies who are shedding thousands of employees due to the effect of AI. This is only one News Announcement but typically applies to many other Banks and Tech Companies:

A Banking giant has become the latest major company to announce job cuts as it increases its adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). The firm, which has its headquarters in the UK, said it will cut more than 15%, or around 7,800, of its back-office roles by 2030.

In the case of ‘Banks,’ ‘Back – office’ refers to Administration and Support personnel that do not interface with the general public. In the case of ‘Tech Companies’ additional Software Engineers are included. You may ask how does AI effect these personnel?

I have a personal example. Some years ago as owner of a Computer Based Training company some of our Training Software (Courseware) required ‘Voice-Overs’ (Human Speech) which I did myself by recording using a microphone into a computer and saving the file. (.wav). If I then loaded the file into the Courseware and it was Selected by the Student it would Play-back, what I had said. This used to take quite a lot of time and it was not always perfect, therefore it had to be re-done.

In 2025, now retired, I was going to create another programme and considered creating a number of ‘Voice-Overs’, however not using my recorded voice, but one created by an AI Speech Software, called Speechelo, one of many companies. All you do is to Type- in or Copy a Text of what you want to say then select ‘go’ and it instantly provides you with a ‘Voice-Over’ of the text as a.mp3 file. There are many options for the type of Voice etc. The most important facts are; that you don’t need a Person to do the ‘Voice-Over’, the significant Reduction of Time and the Increased Quality is very good, all created by AI.

Just today on the TV News the Song Writers and Musical Score, Singers, Actors etc. are very worried about AI taking over, eliminating their livelihood. University students hoping to become Software Engineers and Coders are extremely concerned that AI is able to create software code more efficiently and faster than a Human. Even some of the Tech Companies like Meta are shedding up to 15,000 staff which includes some of their Software Engineers and Coders due to the introduction of AI.

Whilst we may have concerns about the effect on the Human workforce we must also recognise AI can help Humanity in many different ways. For example the Pharmaceutical Companies are looking at the Health Medicines created with the aid of AI that will help Humanity in the future. In addition the Hospitals are gradually introducing Robotics and AI to assist the Doctors, Surgeons, Nursing Staff and Patients.

These are quotes from the Google AI that I can use to help in the creation of this Article;

Key Areas of Impact:

Robotic-Assisted Surgery: Systems enable minimally invasive procedures with extreme precision, enhancing dexterity, smaller incisions, and faster recovery times.

Autonomous Logistics: Robots navigate busy hospital corridors to deliver pharmaceuticals, lab samples, and linens, reducing the risk of cross-contamination and manual labor.

AI Diagnostics: Machine learning analyzes medical imaging and patient data to assist doctors in detecting diseases (like cancer or respiratory conditions) earlier and more accurately.

Virtual Care & Administration: AI Chatbots and digital doctors manage thousands of virtual cases and patient interactions, while predictive analytics help forecast patient health risks and optimize bed management.

Patient Assistance: Assistive robotics aid in safe patient transfers, lifting, and even act as companions to alleviate cognitive and emotional burdens.

Conclusion

In this article I have concentrated on Artificial Intelligence (AI) mainly because in the Service Sector there are so many activities that are affected by the use of AI. This trend is increasing rapidly as AI Application Software becomes available and is being applied to many Service Industries. We can see that it is the new Technical Revolution that will change Humanity as Technical Revolutions of the past have done. However, I believe that AI is a more consequential Revolution and possibly a dangerous one for Humanity especially with the rapid and remarkable advance of Humanoid Robots. In recent weeks we have seen the dexterity and agility of the Chinese made Humanoids that are driven by AI. The more advanced AI becomes in the future the more the Humanoids will become like Humans, without the bodily constraints of the Human Body and Mind. Perhaps you would like to refer to my previous article ‘Humans -v- Humanoids’ dated 6th January 2025 on this website: astra283.com

Thank you