AI Algorithms in Data Analysis: Driving Business Benefits
With the increase of devices and various sources of information, an enormous amount of data is being generated. Big data encompasses data obtained from users' browsing habits, purchase choices, and social media engagement (such as posts, comments, and likes). Additionally, it includes data collected from GPS sensors, wearable devices, medical equipment, surveillance cameras, and more. A recent study indicates that nearly 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are generated each day, illustrating the sheer magnitude of this data influx.
Given this current landscape, the pressing question emerges: how can we effectively analyze and extract valuable insights from these vast volumes of information? Manual processing of such large datasets can be prohibitively time-consuming and expensive. However, the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and machine learning (ML) models can significantly expedite and streamline this process. In this article, we will delve deeper into the topic to gain a better understanding of its implications.
Benefits of AI algorithms in data analysis
Using AI algorithms in big data analysis brings a number of benefits, including
Improved accuracy in data processing
AI algorithms automate data processing tasks and reduce human errors. They can handle large volumes of data quickly and accurately, enabling you to analyze complex datasets in a much shorter time.
Faster identification of patterns
AI algorithms can uncover hidden relationships and correlations that may not be apparent through traditional analysis methods. By detecting these patterns, you can make more informed decisions and develop targeted interventions to address specific challenges.
More efficient resource allocation
AI algorithms leverage historical data to make accurate predictions about future events or outcomes. By using predictive analytics, you can optimize resource allocation, prioritize project tasks, and mitigate potential risks more effectively.
Automated anomaly detection
AI algorithms can effectively identify anomalies or outliers within datasets. This will allow you to quickly address deviations and prepare the data in an appropriate format for efficient and error-free analysis.
Real-time data analysis
AI algorithms enable real-time data processing and analysis, providing valuable insights as data is generated. This eliminates the need to wait for data processing to be completed before extracting insights, allowing for immediate analysis and decision-making based on the most up-to-date information.
AI algorithms used in data analysis
Three notable algorithms are used in data analysis: regression analysis, clustering algorithms, and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
Regression analysis algorithms for predictive modeling
Traditional regression analysis techniques rely on explicit mathematical formulas to establish relationships between independent and dependent variables. AI algorithms enhance regression analysis by incorporating machine learning techniques to automatically learn and identify complex patterns within the data.
The most popular AI algorithms used in regression analysis are:
Support Vector Regression (SVR). This utilizes a kernel function to map the input variables into a higher-dimensional space, where a hyperplane is then constructed to best fit the data points. SVR can handle both linear and nonlinear regression problems, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Random Forest (RF). This combines multiple decision trees to create an ensemble model. Each decision tree is built on a random subset of the data, and the final prediction is made by aggregating the predictions of individual trees. RF is robust to outliers and can handle high-dimensional datasets, making it a powerful tool for regression analysis.
Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks. These algorithms can capture intricate nonlinear relationships within the data by using multiple layers of interconnected neurons. Deep learning models have demonstrated impressive performance in various regression tasks, especially when dealing with complex and unstructured data.
Clustering algorithms for data segmentation
Clustering algorithms group similar data points together based on their characteristics. In data analysis, AI clustering algorithms can identify communities with similar needs, segment beneficiaries based on socioeconomic factors, or classify data into distinct categories for targeted campaigns.
The most commonly used AI clustering algorithms are:
K-means clustering. This algorithm partitions data into K distinct clusters by minimizing the sum of squared distances between data points and their cluster centroids. K-means is often used in various domains, such as customer segmentation, image processing, and pattern recognition. It is effective for well-separated and spherical clusters.
Hierarchical clustering. This creates a tree-like structure called a dendrogram and groups data points based on their similarities or differences. The process involves repeatedly merging or dividing clusters until a desired structure is formed. Hierarchical clustering is applied in various fields, such as studying genetic relationships, analyzing social networks, and segmenting images into meaningful parts.
DBSCAN (Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise). This groups data points based on their density and proximity. It defines clusters as regions of high density separated by regions of low density. DBSCAN is effective in identifying clusters of arbitrary shapes and can discover outliers as noise. It is used in spatial data analysis, anomaly detection, and image processing.
Natural Language Processing (NLP) for text analysis
NLP analyzes spoken and written language to extract meaningful information. This may include the analysis of support tickets, social media posts, text and video files, and other forms of textual and multimedia content. NLP algorithms identify speech patterns, sentiments, named entities, and conversation topics from these sources. This enables you to gain a deeper understanding of customer feedback, market trends, user preferences, and more.
Here are some NLP algorithms used for text analysis:
Tokenization: This breaks down a text into smaller units (tokens), such as words, syllables, or characters. It is a basis for other NLP algorithms.
Named Entity Recognition (NER). This classifies named entities within a text, such as names of people, organizations, locations, dates, etc.
Sentiment Analysis. This determines the sentiment or emotion expressed in a piece of text, whether it is positive, negative, or neutral. It is useful for understanding customer feedback, social media sentiment, or public opinion.
Topic modeling. This uncovers the main themes present in a collection of documents. It is useful for document categorization, trend analysis, and content recommendation.
Text classification. This assigns labels to a piece of text based on its content. It is used for spam detection, sentiment classification, news categorization, and customer review analysis.
Word embeddings. This transforms words or phrases into numerical representations, allowing machines to understand the semantic meaning of words. For example, word embedding models Word2Vec and GloVe capture the contextual relationships between words and enable algorithms to perform such tasks as word similarity detection, document clustering, and text generation.
AI algorithms in action: successful examples from world-known companies
AI algorithms have long been used by companies to analyze big data and build effective marketing and sales strategies. Here are some examples from world-known companies that have successfully incorporated AI into their workflow.
Amazon
Amazon uses AI to develop an accurate recommendation system and
suggest products based on customer preferences. Here is the data that Amazon analyzes:
purchase history
products viewed and added to the cart or wishlist
keywords used for search on the platform
product ratings and reviews
purchase behavior of customers with similar preferences
cross-product relationships
demographic information
Thanks to personalized recommendations, Amazon enhances user experience and improves sales.
Netflix
Netflix employs AI algorithms to analyze big data and provide users with personalized content recommendations. Here is the data being analyzed:
viewing patterns
search time
responses to shows and movies
devices being used to watch
pause and resume times
completed and left shows
ratings and thumbs-up/thumbs-down
scrolling behavior
The received insights allow Netflix to offer personalized content and enhance user engagement on the platform.
Spotify
Spotify leverages AI algorithms to analyze user data and generate curated playlists. For example, the "Discover Weekly" playlist is a prime example of using AI for personalized content curation.
Here is the data that Spotify analyzes:
user listening history
listening habits of users with similar music tastes
likes, skips, saves, and playlist additions
genre and mood preferences
global listening trends
new music releases
Thanks to AI, Spotify better understands user tastes and offers the exact content the users want.
AI-powered data analysis on Facebook is aimed at content moderation, ad targeting, and improving customer experience. Here is the data being analyzed:
demographics, interests, and relationships indicated in the user profile
posts, photos, videos, and articles shared on the platform
likes, comments, shares, and reactions
social connections
engagement with ads
It's important to note that Facebook's AI analysis is conducted with privacy and security considerations, following legal and ethical guidelines.
Tesla
Tesla's autonomous driving technology heavily relies on AI for business analysis. It collects and analyzes the following data:
data from cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors
GPS and mapping data
driving patterns, road conditions, and potential hazards
driver behavior (steering, braking, acceleration, etc.)
incident and near-miss data
Thanks to received insights, Tesla improves its self-driving capabilities and enhances safety.
Not-so-successful examples of using AI in data analysis
AI algorithms in data analysis should be used under the guidance of experienced data analysts and ML experts. Otherwise, you run the risk of encountering situations that could greatly harm your business and damage your reputation.
Below we provide examples of incompetent usage of AI in data analysis and the lessons learned.
Columbia University's project of treating pneumonia patients
The university's healthcare project aimed to reduce costs in pneumonia treatment by utilizing AI and ML. The intelligent algorithm analyzed patient records to determine the risk of death and recommended appropriate treatment settings. However, an important flaw arose: the absence of asthmatic death cases in the data led the algorithm to underestimate the risk of asthma during pneumonia, resulting in incorrect recommendations for asthmatic patients.
Lesson learned: Data preparation is a critical step in the machine learning process. It should ensure the dataset is suitable for training algorithms and may involve collecting and cleaning data to address any flaws or biases.
Amazon's AI hiring tool
In 2018, Amazon developed an AI-powered recruiting tool to automate the screening and selection of job applicants. However, the system displayed bias against women candidates due to training on historically male-dominated resumes. Realizing the biased behavior of its AI assistant, Amazon scrapped the tool. and opted for manual processing of candidates' CVs to ensure their hiring practices are objective and bias-free.
Lesson learned: The importance of carefully curating training data and addressing bias in AI models cannot be overestimated. To create a reliable data analysis algorithm, you must train your ML model on different data and situations specific to your business.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. ball tracking system
In October 2020, Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. introduced its automatic camera system with in-built ball-tracking technology based on AI. However, during a match against Ayr United FC, the AI camera operator struggled to differentiate the ball from the linesman's bald head. It was repeatedly showing the head instead of the ball, especially in obscured or shadowed areas of the stadium.
Lesson learned: AI models should be carefully tested before working with real-world data. It is crucial to test them on non-standard situations and non-typical data to avoid confusion in real business cases.
Get the most out of your data with AI-powered algorithms
Having the skill to utilize AI algorithms has become essential in today's world. As artificial intelligence continues to improve its capabilities, it executes tasks with greater precision and accuracy. This encourages businesses to incorporate AI in various workflows, including big data analysis and predictive modeling.
If you want to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving business environment, now it's time to harness the power of AI in your data processing journey. Should you require assistance from experienced business analysts and ML engineers, don't hesitate to get in touch.
