Introduction
Imagine being in a library, but every shelf is filled with artificial intelligence tools instead of books. There is a writing tool to write essays, a music-composing tool, a house-designing tool, and even a weather forecasting tool. Sounds crazy, right? This is what it is. Today, there’s a variety of AI tools for almost every problem, many of which perform expected functions and many that do not.
AI is not associated with tech looters or scientists alone. These gadgets are reaching sectors like schools and children, making YouTube clips. Furthermore, whether it is making businesses work faster, making children’s homework less complicated, or otherwise, AI Tools are, for the most part, becoming fully integrated into Americans’ and maybe the world’s lifestyles. But then, how many such tools are available today? And what are they all used for? Let’s find out.
How Many AI Tools are there in the World
Here’s a fun fact to start with: there are 22,528 AI tools listed on a platform called There’s An AI For That. Yep, over twenty-two thousand! And that’s just one source keeping track. There are probably even more that we have yet to learn about.
Why are there so many? Because AI isn’t one-size-fits-all. Think of it like apps on your phone. You have apps for chatting, gaming, editing photos, learning new languages—you name it. AI tools work the same way. There are tools for crunching numbers, creating art, and even helping doctors figure out what’s wrong with a patient.
AI tools can be grouped into categories, like sections in a store. There’s one aisle for creative tools (like those that generate pictures or music), another for business tools (like those that analyze data), and so on. And just like in a store, new stuff is always being added.
Categories of AI Tools
Let’s break it down. Here are some of the most popular types of AI tools and how they are used:
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
NLP tools help computers understand, process, and use human language. These tools play a significant role in how we interact with technology today.
Examples of NLP Tools:
- ChatGPT (like this one): This tool is perfect for answering questions, writing essays, or generating creative ideas.
- DeepL: A brilliant translator who helps people communicate in different languages quickly and accurately.
NLP tools enable virtual assistants such as Siri and Alexa. These assistants can answer questions, follow commands, and even set reminders. NLP is also behind the auto-reply suggestions in emails, helping users save time and communicate faster.
Computer Vision
Ever wonder how your phone knows it’s you when you unlock it with your face? That’s computer vision at work. These tools can “see” and analyze images and videos. Examples include:
TensorFlow: A system that assists developers in creating models related to computer vision.
Face++: Applied to facial recognition software in security systems.
These tools are versatile, from identifying objects in photos to detecting diseases in medical scans.
Chatbots
Chatbots are the nice treat (or not so lovely) mechanical devices that one communicates with over the internet. They have a variety of purposes, such as customer care or making appointments. For example:
- Drift: Helps businesses talk to their customers.
- Mitsuku: An award-winning chatbot known for its highly conversational abilities.
- Content Generation
These tools are like creative geniuses. They can write stories, make music, and even design logos. Some examples:
- Canvas Magic Write: Helps with marketing content or social media captions.
- DALL-E: Generates images based on the descriptions you provide.
If you’ve ever seen an excellent AI-made painting, there’s a good chance one of these tools was behind it.
Automation
Imagine a robot assistant handling tedious tasks like organizing files or sending emails. That’s what automation tools do. Examples include:
Zapier: Connects apps and automates workflows.
UiPath: Used by businesses to automate repetitive tasks.
Data Analysis
These tools help people make sense of vast amounts of information. Examples:
- Tableau: Turns data into easy-to-read charts.
- Google AI Platform: Helps companies make predictions based on their data.
These tools are not valuable in industries such as finance, healthcare, and marketing, where they can be used to spot trends and predict the future (well, sort of).
Why Are There So Many AI Tools?
Now, why do we need so many? Can’t we just have a few that do everything? Well, not really. Different problems require different solutions. An excellent language translation tool might be useless for diagnosing a medical condition.
Here’s an example: Imagine you’re trying to build a sandcastle. You’d use a bucket for shaping the castle, a shovel for digging, and maybe a rake to smooth out the sand. Each tool has its job. It’s the same with AI.
Another reason there are so many tools is that technology keeps evolving. When a new problem comes up, someone creates a tool to solve it. For instance:
- Remote work became more common, so we got tools like Zoom and Slack that use AI for better communication.
- Climate change is a big issue, so there are AI tools that monitor weather patterns or help reduce energy waste.
Not to mention the aspect of rivalry. Undeniably, developers and companies surpass each other occasionally, leading to the emergence of better and more sophisticated specialized tools. This ventures excellent creativity and ideas, but on the other hand, it entails a lot of duplication- tools that perform the same functions slightly differently.
Conclusion
The AI tool belt resembles a constantly filled sack, as new tools are added almost daily. If you are a student, businessperson, or someone who enjoys playing with technology, then you possess or will find an AI tool suitable for you.
Clearly, with over 22,528 tools to date, AI development and application are taking a back seat for a while. With the development of technology, the proliferation of tools addressing issues beyond our comprehension will be witnessed. So, if you are interested, experiment and play around with a few of the tools. At the end of the day, it’s all about AI’s ability to impress and take away the burden of annoying tasks from every individual.
For more information you can visit our another blog ” How Many AI Tools Are Out There? Exploring the World of Artificial Intelligence Tools“
