Weak or narrow AI refers to artificial intelligence that can perform specific tasks by being programmed to classify data and make decisions within limited parameters. Some examples of narrow AI mentioned are digital assistants, recommendation engines, search engines, chatbots, autonomous vehicles, image and speech recognition software, predictive analytics, robots, and more. While narrow AI can solve complex problems efficiently, it is limited to its programming and does not have human-level general intelligence or ability to operate outside of its predefined functions. Narrow AI is the only type of AI that currently exists and is behind many technologies people interact with daily.

1. What Is Weak (Narrow) AI?
Here Are 8 Practical Examples

2. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Title
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Introduction
Introduction
Weak AI, otherwise referred to as narrow artificial intelligence, describes the
algorithms that can complete a set of finite functions. Currently, this is the
only artificial intelligence that exists. The algorithms classify data and then
make decisions or act based on how they were told to interpret that date.
Here are eight practical examples.
What is Weak (Narrow) AI? Here Are 8 Practical
Examples

3. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
When the term artificial intelligence (AI) is used today, in most cases, it refers to
weak AI. Also known as narrow AI, this is the only AI that exists today. Although
weak AI can solve complex problems and often complete tasks more efficiently
than humans, its functionality is limited to its programming. Even with a name
that suggests limitation, weak AI infiltrates many aspects of our work, personal
lives, and entertainment. Here is a bit more about weak AI and eight practical
examples of it.

4. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
What is Weak (Narrow) AI?
Algorithms that power weak AI model human intelligence and work to
accomplish specific tasks rather than possess full cognitive abilities like the
human brain. Ultimately, the algorithms are trained to classify data based on
how they were trained. There is no veering off the programmed path; narrow AI
is programmed to operate within a set of pre-defined functions. For example,
machines created to pick items in a warehouse aren’t able to flip burgers in a
restaurant without human intervention to change the programming. Narrow AI
models intelligent behavior for specific tasks.

5. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
8 Practical Examples of Weak/Narrow AI
Just about any AI that you can think of that is used today—not representations from the
movie screen or from pages of sci-fi novels that show robots taking over the world,
though—are examples of narrow AI. Here are eight practical examples:
1. Digital voice assistants (Siri, Alexa)
Often referred to as the best examples of weak AI, digital voice assistants such as Siri and
Alexa are examples of weak AI that we rely on every day. To work effectively, the AI
classifies data and responds to queries incredibly fast.
2. Recommendation engines
Whether Netflix is telling you what movie you should watch next or Amazon or other retail
websites offer you helpful advice about what you else you might be interested in
purchasing, these recommendation engines are examples of narrow AI.

6. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
8 Practical Examples of Weak/Narrow AI
3. Search engines
Google and other search engines are also examples of weak AI. When you type
in your question, the algorithm gets to work to run that question through its
vast database to classify it and come back with answers.
4. Chatbots
If you've ever talked on chat with an organization, whether it's your financial
institution, internet service provider, or favorite e-commerce store, you were
likely talking to AI. Most of the time, chat features are an AI algorithm that takes
care of answering common questions to free the humans who used to do this
work to complete higher-level tasks.

7. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
8 Practical Examples of Weak/Narrow AI
5. Autonomous vehicles
AI that allows vehicles to operate without a human driver is weak AI. The algorithms
complete programmed functions. The challenge, since this AI doesn’t possess full
cognitive abilities like a human brain, is to program and train the AI regarding any
potential road hazard or situation the vehicle might encounter.
6. Image and speech recognition
A critical way narrow AI is making an impact in healthcare is through image recognition by
helping radiologists detect disease in scans of patients. Weak AI is behind image
recognition in other industries as well. It’s also in play with speech recognition and
translation services like Google Translate.

8. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
8 Practical Examples of Weak/Narrow AI
7. Predictive maintenance and analytics
Narrow AI is used in predictive analytics. It uses data, algorithms, and machine learning to
examine historical data to construct a prediction of a likely outcome in the future. In
warehouses and other places where heavy machinery is in use, AI helps identify
maintenance issues that need to be addressed before a machine failure.
8. Robots
Currently, robots don’t have a mind of their own. Drones and manufacturing robots
operate with narrow AI and are able to complete a finite set of actions they were
programmed to do. Delivery bots were quite useful to comply with social distancing
orders and as disinfecting robots during the pandemic.

9. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
8 Practical Examples of Weak/Narrow AI
Narrow artificial intelligence is the technology that exists today, and you
experience in daily life. The algorithms that power narrow artificial intelligence
allow machines to act, process data, and make decisions based on
programming. This is not AI with a mind of its own. Weak or narrow AI, despite
the implication by its name that it's not powerful, is actually responsible for
many amazing activities. AI allows many things to be done much more quickly
and efficiently than humans can.

10. Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
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Website
© 2020 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website

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