What is Artificial Intelligence?
Are we aware of the challenges and main applications of Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence operates by processing large data sets, from which it identifies underlying patterns that enable it to make autonomous decisions or produce specific results. Unlike traditional systems that execute predetermined instructions, AI continuously optimises its performance as it assimilates greater volumes of information and examples, in a process analogous to human learning based on practice and accumulated experience.
Artificial intelligence has long since left the realm of science fiction to become part of our lives, and it is set to lead a revolution comparable to that brought about by the Internet. Its applications in multiple sectors – such as health, finance, energy, transport and education, among others – have led the European Union to develop its own AI Law and its use is being regulated around the world.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the combination of algorithms designed to create machines that have the same capabilities as humans. The EU AI Act defines an AI system as "a machine-based system that is designed to operate with varying levels of autonomy and that can show adaptability after deployment, and that, for explicit or implicit purposes, infers from the input information it receives how to generate output results, such as predictions, content, recommendations or decisions, which may influence physical or virtual environments".
Practical applications of Artificial Intelligence
AI has become a resource for everyday use. From facial recognition on mobile phones, voice assistants powered by natural language processing technology, such as Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa or Microsoft's Cortana, autonomous vacuum cleaners to AI in search engines or generative AI in popular applications such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Copilot, DALL·E, Nano Banana, Gemini... All of these are part of the routines and work of millions of people around the world, and they do so with one goal in mind: to make people's lives easier.
Advances in AI are already driving the use of big data due to its ability to process vast amounts of data, learning from it through deep learning, and providing communication, commercial and business advantages that have positioned it as the essential technology of the coming decades. Transport, education, energy, health, culture… no sector will be able to resist its charms.
Trends and advances in Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has become one of the most revolutionary technologies of recent times. Its rapid adoption both at the business level and in everyday use has driven almost meteoric development, generating increasingly intelligent and refined models to support widespread demand. Starting with the original chatbots, much more powerful and specialised systems are being created, in some cases integrated into real products, which will transform businesses and private uses. Here are some key trends that will shape the future of this technology:
Specialisation
New artificial intelligence will move from high volume to high specialisation in the tasks it must perform or the field of knowledge. This will optimise the desired result.
Regulation and security requirements
As technology advances, new regulations are being established to ensure legal compliance and proper data management, especially in sensitive sectors.
Integrated AI
Artificial intelligence will no longer be used through chat-type interfaces and will be integrated into search engines, CRMs, mobile applications and other office applications in such a way that the user does not play such an active role but rather learns in a more autonomous way and acts on that information.
Specialisation
New artificial intelligence will move from high volume to high specialisation in the tasks it must perform or the field of knowledge. This will optimise the desired result.
Regulation and security requirements
As technology advances, new regulations are being established to ensure legal compliance and proper data management, especially in sensitive sectors.
Integrated AI
Artificial intelligence will no longer be used through chat-type interfaces and will be integrated into search engines, CRMs, mobile applications and other office applications in such a way that the user does not play such an active role but rather learns in a more autonomous way and acts on that information.
Iberdrola, at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that is already part of Iberdrola's business, and its various applications have become a fundamental resource for the company. Discover how we use AI in our activities and what its impact is on our production and our customers.
Commercial development with AI
Artificial intelligence systems are now a very effective way to achieve automation in purchasing or home resource management. One such solution is the Advanced Smart Assistant, a digital platform launched by Iberdrola that allows our customers to easily and automatically manage the consumption of smart electrical devices.
With this innovative product, deployed in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud and developed at Iberdrola's Innovation Middle East Centre using AI services, users can also shift consumption to cheaper tariff hours, maximising electricity savings in their homes.
AI applied to renewable energy
Machine learning is a discipline within the field of artificial intelligence that provides any system with the ability to identify patterns through previously obtained data. These information-rich algorithms enable computers to perform specific tasks autonomously, without the need for programming.
One of the main applications of machine learning is in the field of weather forecasting, as this technique allows machines to quickly and effectively obtain repetitive data or information related to meteorological processes. A clear example of this is the MeteoFlow system, developed by Iberdrola Renovables.
This is Iberdrola's own computer system that is capable of estimating how much the Group's various renewable energy facilities will produce based on weather forecasts. Using information on wind for wind farms or solar radiation for photovoltaic plants, for example, MeteoFlow produces production forecasts that subsequently facilitate the sale of the energy produced, the maintenance of the facilities and the preparation of reports.
Distribution and transmission networks with AI
The integration of data analysis using artificial intelligence can significantly improve the processes and operation of smart grids. Thanks to the digitisation of the networks and the incorporation of smart meters, everything related to the operation of smart grids and energy supply can be managed quickly and remotely, enabling frequent preventive maintenance, the detection of anomalies and the anticipation of dangerous situations.
European AI Regulation: Key to the future of Artificial Intelligence
The European Artificial Intelligence Regulation is the first major global regulation that seeks to establish a common legal framework for the development, marketing and use of this technology. This pioneering regulation combines the promotion of innovation with the guarantee that artificial intelligence (AI) is applied in a safe, ethical and respectful manner regarding fundamental rights. We analyse its objectives, the risk classification it establishes, the implementation deadlines and Iberdrola's commitment to the responsible use of AI.
Learn more about the European AI Act
European AI Regulation: Key to the future of Artificial Intelligence
The European Artificial Intelligence Regulation is the first major global regulation that seeks to establish a common legal framework for the development, marketing and use of this technology. This pioneering regulation combines the promotion of innovation with the guarantee that artificial intelligence (AI) is applied in a safe, ethical and respectful manner regarding fundamental rights. We analyse its objectives, the risk classification it establishes, the implementation deadlines and Iberdrola's commitment to the responsible use of AI.
Learn more about the European AI ActCurrent laws on Artificial Intelligence
The European Union was a pioneer in developing a regulatory framework for the use of artificial intelligence, approving its AI Act in 2024. This legal framework addresses the uses and risks of this technology and seeks to protect users as its applications advance in all areas of life.
This new law establishes a series of risk-based standards for developers and implementers of artificial intelligence applications to consider when creating and improving their products. To facilitate the transition, the European Union has launched the AI Pact, a voluntary initiative to advance compliance with these new guidelines.
Elsewhere in the world regulations are also emerging to help ensure that the development of this technology is safe and inclusive for all users. In the United States there are several federal, state and agency regulations governing both the development and use of AI. For its part, China has developed several regulations focused on algorithms and generative AI to protect personal data, ensure security and properly label AI-generated content and deep fakes.
Artificial intelligence... Yes or no?
How do you imagine the world after the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence? Are you for or against? In this podcast we tell you where technology is heading and what the experts are saying about it.
Artificial intelligence and its applications in robotics are already changing the world, and although there are voices such as that of Swedish philosopher Nick Bostrom from the University of Oxford, who predicted that "there is a 90% chance that between 2075 and 2090 there will be machines as intelligent as humans", or Stephen Hawking, who ventured that machines will completely surpass humans in fewer than 100 years, the truth is that far from making us obsolete, AI will make us more efficient and allow us to perform actions that we would never have been able to do due to their complexity. Can you imagine exploring parts of the universe that are totally hostile to humans? Thanks to AI, one day it could be possible.
At Iberdrola we believe that AI is a strategic and highly useful technology which, when used safely and responsibly, can accelerate the energy transition and improve people's lives. The future belongs to people, and technology helps us to create the best version of it.
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