Rise of AI in Daily Life: Impact on Indian Families
Introduction “Alexa, what is the weather like today”, “Ok Google, play music”, “Siri, call Mom”, these are few of the million conversations we have with Artificial Intelligence daily. From kids asking the devices to play their favorite rhymes to adults checking on their to-do lists, AI in its various forms has become an integral part of our lives. Artificial intelligence or AI is where the machines or computers are made to think and learn like humans. They can do tasks like talking, recognizing pictures, solving problems, creating content, and even automate tasks such as self-driving cars and smart homes.
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Elaborate Presence of AI:
Initially AI was used in more commercial scenarios, like the Chatbots for customer support and in factory manufacturing lines. Nowadays, AI is found almost everywhere, from healthcare where AI helps in diagnosing diseases, analysing medical images, and personalizing treatments to personalized movie recommendations on Amazon Prime based on user preferences. A few instances of AI in our daily lives are given below
- Smart-home Devices: AI powered gadgets like lights, security cameras that make homes more convenient and secure.
- Health and Fitness Tracking: Smartwatches that monitor and analyze step-count, heart rate, water intake and sometimes, even help in scheduling doctor appointments.
- Learning: Interested in learning a new language? Apps like Duolingo which are powered by AI have made learning easier, fun and on-the go.
- Navigation Help: The navigation apps such as Google Maps use AI to provide us with real time traffic and route updates.
- Social Media: The Instagram feed of no two people is the same. This is because AI reads and calculates the preferences of each person and suggests content based on the same. Try searching for red-velvet cake in Chrome, browse for a few minutes and open your Instagram, surely you will find advertisements about the nearest bakery or a Zomato offer for buying cakes. All this is because of AI which is tracking, analyzing and suggesting content based on your preferences.
- Online Shopping: Amazon uses AI, to let customers see how the specific product will look like in their home via their new feature called “View in your room” and Lenskart App allows customers to try on various frames virtually to help them pick the one they like. Such kind of upgrades have made online shopping more realistic and interesting.
- Translation: On a trip with no knowledge of the local language, no need to worry as AI is here to be your on-the go translator. Apps like Google Translate can read, talk and translate almost 249 languages.
- Gaming: AI makes gaming more engaging by adapting to the players’ skills and choices. Strategy games like chess effectively utilize AI to analyze moves and counter intelligently.
The above scenarios clearly highlight that AI is present in various aspects of our lives. Due to its elaborate presence, the impact of AI in our lives, is also significant.
Pros of AI
Like any invention, AI has got both its pros and cons. On one hand, AI has made Indian family life easier by being an online support system.
Support in Taking Care of Elderly:
In our country, where adults often live with their parents and take care of them, AI has become a valuable assistant in caregiving. When children are away at work, AI steps in to support by ensuring the security of the elderly, monitoring their health, and sending timely reminders for medication. Emergency response features in AI devices can alert caregivers or medical professionals instantly in critical situations.
New Friend to Kids:
From engaging content on YouTube to interactive educational platforms, AI has become a valuable tool in modern parenting. These systems analyse viewing habits to suggest educational shows, fun cartoons, or even creative DIY tutorials that match a child’s interests. Parental controls, powered by AI, also help block inappropriate content, creating a safe digital space. Voice-activated AI assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant help kids build language skills by answering questions, reading stories aloud, or playing educational quizzes.
Virtual Assistant:
In this everyday hustle, AI tools, can even help plan our workday or week, suggesting efficient schedules based on our workload and deadlines, allowing us to get on the tasks at hand. AI tools like ChatGPT can assist in structuring complex reports or presentations by breaking down content into logical sections. For example, it can generate bullet points or create summaries of meetings.
Saving Time and Money: AI,
in its various forms, helps us save time by automating tasks, allowing us to spend more quality moments with family and friends or simply relax. It also aids in saving money by offering free courses and learning resources. As an assistant, AI streamlines daily chores, increasing efficiency. In caregiving, it helps monitor and take care of family members.
Cons of AI
On the other hand, AI can have some negative impacts, especially on kids and young minds. Excessive screen time can strain their eyesight and hinder social interactions, making them less engaged in physical activities. This lack of activity can lead to health issues and a sedentary lifestyle. Even adults may become more prone to laziness and procrastination, relying too heavily on AI to finish tasks.
While AI can assist in monitoring and caring for our elders, it cannot replace the love, affection, and personal connection they need for their well-being. Human interaction remains essential for their emotional health. Over-reliance on AI may cause us to miss the importance of real-life bonds. While AI offers great help, it also collects vast amounts of personal data, including our location, choice of clothing, food, and medical details. This meticulous tracking could compromise our privacy if the data falls into the wrong hands. Ironically, the security AI provides may be at risk if this sensitive information is misused.
Conclusion
AI is an evolving tool that simplifies many aspects of our lives, but it also raises concerns around security and human sensitivity. Its use across various domains must be carefully considered to maximize its benefits. We must balance the advantages of AI with the need to preserve basic human joys and personal connections. Ultimately, it’s important to embrace technology while remembering what truly matters.
