The combination of AI and IoT has the potential to change the business landscape, which is a good reason why leaders must understand them.
Introduction
1. The Interconnection Between IoT and AI
2. Five Skills to Stay Relevant and Competitive in the Age of IoT and AI
2.1. Understanding of Sensors, Motors, and Robotics
2.2. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
2.3. IoT Systems and Networking
2.4. Information Security
2.5. Node.js Development
Introduction
In today’s digital era, the merge of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) has kicked off a tech revolution that tends to reshape numerous industries across the globe with a vision that this transformation helps businesses enhance efficiency and drives innovations at an unprecedented pace.
For a better understanding, IoT is all about an extensive network of connected devices with an embedded sensor that collects and transfers large-scale data that is processed according to the behavior and patterns of the user to make the correct decision at the right time.
On the other hand, artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that imitates human intelligence and behavior in computer systems, further enhanced by learning and experimenting, to develop new behaviors and skills.
These technologies, together, can solve real-world problems and create new products for businesses to enhance the customer-digital experience. This article explores the opportunities and approaches of AI and IoT that will revolutionize market paradigms.
1. The Interconnection Between IoT and AI
According to a study by the IBM Global C-Suite Study program, C-level executives have begun to reinvent their businesses through digitizing communications and interactions. They are keenly focused on the benefits of building up the IoT with AI.
If you are an entrepreneur or a C-level leader attempting to grow your business, you cannot ignore this technological shift, as the combination of AI and IoT mainly focuses on redefining customer-focused services and products.
It has been observed that both large companies and startups prefer AI technology, which unleashes the full potential of IoT. Voice-enabled Google Home, and Amazon’s Alexa, are interesting examples of a combination of AI technology and IoT-enabled devices.
Numerous vendors, such as Amazon, Salesforce, Microsoft, and Oracle, develop IoT platforms and have further implemented AI capabilities into their IoT applications.
2. Five Skills to Stay Relevant and Competitive in the Age of IoT and AI
The scope of implementation and importance of IoT and AI determine the need for qualified IT professionals; however, the demand for experts in these technologies requires certain technical and soft skills.
Below, we have reviewed some wanted skills that are required in an IT professional to succeed in IoT and how they can boost their career profile:
2.1. Understanding of Sensors, Motors, and Robotics
Understanding sensors, motors, and robotics is considered one of the most vital skills among IT engineers and IoT developers. These skills prove knowledge of wireless communication systems, embedded logic, and what triggers their functionality. Further, the understanding of sensors helps to detect position, temperature, light, sound waves, and humidity. When it comes to training and developing robots, IT engineers and IoT developers must know the methods of data collection, data processing, and data storage.
IT engineers and IoT developers should be acquainted with analysis tools such as Python’s Pandas and NumPy libraries, robotics hardware such as motors, sensors, and actuators, as well as software frameworks such as Robot Operating System (ROS), and robotics platforms such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi.
2.2. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
AI and machine learning (ML) have become key technologies that have reshaped the IT field. To excel, IT engineers and IoT developers need to have a good understanding of ML and AI technologies, as these technologies are the base of developing tools and frameworks that are essential to developing IoT devices and AI applications that are further used in various application areas, like automotive, manufacturing, finance, and healthcare. Learning and understanding where and how to implement ML algorithms with the help of data sensors are used to develop smarter appliances.
The skill of big data management will be useful for predictive analytics, which is based on identifying data patterns. The IT engineers and IoT developers should also have knowledge of popular ML libraries such as Kera and Tensorflow and the ability to program in languages such as R, Python, and C++.
2.3. IoT Systems and Networking
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a blooming field in the IT industry that involves connecting physical devices (motion sensors, smart glasses, VR headsets, smart devices, trackers, drones, etc.) to the Internet. To be a master, IT engineers, and IoT developers need to have a better understanding of the IoT concept and technologies to develop robust and seamless connected devices that require a unique user interface (UI). The knowledge about IoT includes networking protocols such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Wi-Fi; engineers and developers should also be familiar with IoT platforms such as AWS IoT and Microsoft Azure. IT professionals who have good UI skills in visual design, analytics, wireframing, and prototyping excel at developing satisfactory devices.
2.4. Information Security
Cybersecurity professionals have an important place in the IoT space as more devices become connected to the internet every day. Over the last few decades, cyber attackers have caused a lot of damage, from taking control of critical systems to stealing sensitive data. However, an understanding of cybersecurity practices and principles will also help IT engineers and IoT developers become familiar with common threats such as denial-of-service (DoS) attacks and ransomware; engineers and developers should be well-versed in the techniques for preventing them with the help of communication protocols such as Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Shell (SSH).
Security engineers in the cybersecurity field need to be creative and adaptable, as well as skilled with AI and ML security tools from various vendors that provide secure content distribution networks.
2.5. Node.js Development
Being an open-source web programming platform, Node.js helps developers develop scalable IoT applications while maintaining ethical and safe internet rules. Node.js is actively utilized by IoT specialists for server-side web development as it incorporates packages and modules, such as firmware development tools, and connects the system devices. IT engineers and IoT developers, with this skill, will be able to handle complicated tasks (developing IoT devices, AI applications, etc.) at once with civil efficiency and good connectivity for numerous devices.
For instance, Node.js uses connected devices to communicate with each other, such as Arduino (which helps with embedded programming interfaces) and Raspberry Pi (a software development application using Python and Node.js.).
Apart from technical skills, IT engineers and IoT developers should have soft abilities like empathy, active listening, understanding customers’ viewpoints, and making complicated decisions.
As we have a clearer picture of what skills are required to gain footing in IoT and AI, IT engineers and IoT developers who are dealing with business intelligence (BI) can gain expertise around these skills to develop IoT devices and applications.
The amalgamation of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) is in its early stages of development. Tech visionaries believe that AI and IoT have a lot of potential to revolutionize various industries. As these technologies evolve, AI and IoT will find their way into numerous application areas, enhancing efficiency, customer experience, decision-making, ethics, and safety.
Here is news exclusively covered by AI Tech Park that has a read similar to this: https://ai-techpark.com/telesign-named-iot-security-company-of-the-year/
Christophe Van de Weyer, the Telesign CEO, quotes that internet-connected devices, especially those that allow digital payments, make transactions seamless but also provide opportunities for fraudsters. They further said that they work to protect people from fraud and educate companies about the risks to brand equity when the digital identities of their customers are not effectively protected. This initiative is a benchmark for the industry and urges IoT players to prototype security and make the digital world a more trusted place.
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