The development of ever-increasingly sophisticated computing software programs has radically changed the way that business is conducted in the 21st century. Information is gathered and processed at a scale and speed unprecedented in the history of our species.

Algorithms compile browsing data on billions of customers, providing retailers heavily-customized shopping experiences custom-tailored to each customer. Software programs facilitate the mass traffic of shipping all over the world. The financial sector relies on AI technology to monitor a truly dizzying array of transactions, and at blistering speed.

AI technology has a wide array of uses, even in industries that aren’t typically considered to be high-tech. North Alabama’s Bridgeforth Farms, for example, relies on data analytics programs to monitor weather data and water usage for drip irrigation systems.

Assistant Professor Dr. Tathagata Mukherjee

Automating the compilation of that massive input of information enables farmers to output greater yield more efficiently. With the infamously razor-thin margins of agriculture, that efficiency could spell the difference between prosperity and bankruptcy.

While every business can benefit from AI technology, Huntsville has become a hub for high-tech industries servicing the Federal government. For businesses looking to land the most lucrative contracts, mastery of AI tech is a necessity.

“Since Huntsville is a city with a lot of defense contractors, AI expertise in the community would be useful to these contractors,” explained Dr. Tathagata Mukherjee, Assistant Professor at UAH’s Computer Science department.

“AI would benefit the defense community immensely. There are applications of AI for cybersecurity, guidance systems, navigation systems as well as timing and control.”

Dr. Mukherjee went on to discuss how Artificial Intelligence can be crucial to Huntsville’s aspirations of becoming America’s hub of space exploration.

“AI is being used more and more in engineering applications, for example, in modeling fluid flows and propulsion systems. ANA is starting to use AI in various engineering applications starting from designing new propulsion systems, to modeling fluid flows to the use of AI in robotics for plenary exploration.”

Dr. Mukherjee listed entire fields of scientific and technological study where the application of AI tech is yet in its infancy, including biological, atmospheric, and material sciences.

Indeed, exciting news from Europe suggests that mastery of AI can be the key to breakthroughs in the most bleeding-edge of high technologies.

In February, researchers working for the Google-backed firm DeepMind published an article in the scientific journal Nature.

The article describes the process of utilizing artificial intelligence to autonomously control the flow of plasma through a model fusion reactor, the Variable Configuration Tokamak, operated by the Swiss Plasma Center. Previously, efforts had been stymied by the magnitude of calculations that had to be performed to sequence the electromagnetic actuators with rapid precision.

“AI, and specifically reinforcement learning, is particularly well suited to the complex problems presented by controlling plasma in a tokamak,” says Martin Riedmiller, control team lead at DeepMind.

If mastery of AI technology proves to be the key to unlocking fusion power, then Huntsville will be particularly well-placed to pioneer commercializing that technological Holy Grail.

Even now, the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) has taken a leading role in AI projects for the government. In a joint program with Florida State University and Perdue to develop a forensic tool for the National Institute of Justice, UAH heads the AI and machine learning portion of the project.

UAH faculty receive funding from the Department of Justice, NASA, and other government agencies to develop AI programs for their systems. Furthermore, grants go to fund graduate research, ensuring that businesses in Huntsville looking to develop their AI capabilities will have a deep pool of highly-trained local specialists with which to build their workforce.

For decades, Huntsville has invested heavily in its technological infrastructure, both physical and educational. Now, that investment could pay dividends beyond measure. Forward-thinking businesses could stand to open entire frontiers of new opportunity, by using Huntsville as the solid foundation beneath their feet, and AI as the key in their hands.