In science fiction, artificial intelligence (AI) systems are often bent on overthrowing human civilization, or they are benevolent caretakers of our species. In reality, machine-learning is already with us, evolving out of search engines like Google and seeping into our everyday lives without much fanfare. To highlight exactly how AI is debuting in a less-than-Hollywood (but still quite impactful) style, Business News Daily spoke with six companies rolling out AI products that will recalibrate and streamline everyday business operations. From conducting marketing research to monitoring for nefarious activity on stock exchanges, these systems can do it all. In stock exchanges around the world, plenty of people are trying to tilt the table in their favor to ensure their investments pay off.

Banking has come a long way from its roots in 2000 BC when merchants were using grain as currency for loans (Davies 1994). During the Italian Renaissance, the banking process became more sophisticated as services such as deposits and withdrawals were added (Varadarajan 2014). With the continued modernization of commerce, the industry progressed at an exponential rate. This progress eventually tapered off when the 2008 Financial Crisis hit, effectively tarnishing consumer trust in financial institutions. In the aftermath, it was apparent that in order for banks to remain profitable, a new model was needed – one that focused specifically on the experience of the customer.

They are planning our days, making our reservations, ordering our cars. We talk to Alexa, Siri, Cortana and Google like we would a human assistant. But how do these AI systems compare? Here's a look at what they do, how they're marketed and what they'll do next. Origins: Siri was perhaps the first virtual personal assistant to enter the mainstream, debuting on the iPhone in 2011. Functions: Siri only widely opened to third-party apps this year with the arrival of iOS 10.

PA's Stefan Knapp, a business transformation expert, shares his view on robotics and artificial intelligence, and whether AI will replace human manpower. The use of AI in the labour market is increasing, and one example is IBM's cognitive agent Watson that is not only able to solve basic work tasks, but also helps diagnose rare diseases. Stefan refers to PA's new benchmark of the 20 leading AI vendors that also identifies trends in the market. The benchmark shows an increase in the use of AI, a development that may concern unions and human employees. "However, nothing indicates that human jobs are in any kind of danger. On the contrary, when cognitive agents take over human routine tasks, we get more time to solve more productive and complex tasks," says Stefan.

Google and Blizzard made a surprise announcement at the recent Blizzcon event in California. Through the machine learning platform DeepMind, the two companies will teach artificial intelligence to play StarCraft II. In doing so, the tech and gaming giants are hoping to teach algorithms to adapt to real-world scenarios and process data much closer to how humans do. AIs have been beating professionals at Chess and its more complex Japanese counterpart Go for some time now, The Verge reports. However, the set rules and rigidity of the patterns when playing both games are no longer enough to help machines learn flexible thinking.

Information overload is a fact of modern life, creating a tyranny of choice often resulting in analysis paralysis. Too many options makes it difficult to understand any one option deeply enough to make an informed decision. That's a problem, because the whole point of Ubiquitous Computing – a term coined by Xerox PARC in the 80s to represent a dream of the time – was to make our lives and businesses better and more efficient. Thankfully, amid the enormity of data lies the means to manage it. Our computing infrastructure has now reached a level of data and connectivity where it's possible for computers to recognize patterns and prioritize options, so it's easier for humans to make informed decisions.

Google's DeepMind is teaming up with the makers of the StarCraft video game to train its artificial intelligence systems. The AI systems "playing" the game will need to learn strategies similar to those that humans need in the real world, DeepMind said. Its ultimate aim is to develop artificial intelligence that could solve any problem. It has previously taught algorithms to play a range of Atari computer games. StarCraft II, made by developer Blizzard, is a real-time strategy game in which players control one of three warring factions - humans, insects or alien elves.

Customers are getting more and more accustomed to technology and are starting to have higher expectations. In the last few years, companies have been trying to integrate more artificial intelligence (AI) into their businesses but haven't been succeeding to the expectations of customers. Now, however, the AI experience is increasing dramatically allowing for more apps and programs to assist your customers. Even Bank of America has recently announced a new AI Chatbot named Erica to help you with your banking needs. About Bank of America's Erica Ercia, a play on the bank's name according to CNBC, will use artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and cognitive messaging to communicate with customers through the new Bank of America app.

Customer Expectation: Launch AI Chatbots Customers are getting more and more accustomed to technology and are starting to have higher expectations. In the last few years, companies have been trying to integrate more artificial intelligence (AI) into their businesses but haven't been succeeding to the expectations of customers. Now, however, the AI experience is increasing dramatically allowing for more apps and programs to assist your customers. Even Bank of America has recently announced a new AI Chatbot named Erica to help you with your banking needs. Ercia, a play on the bank's name according to CNBC, will use artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and cognitive messaging to communicate with customers through the new Bank of America app.

Data science is first and foremost a talent-based discipline and capability. Platforms, tools and IT infrastructure play an important but secondary role. Nevertheless, software and technology companies around the globe spend significant amounts of money talking business managers into buying or licensing their products which often times results in unsatisfying outcomes that do not come close to realizing the full potential of data science. Talent is key - but unfortunately very rare and hard to identify. If you are trying to hire a data scientist these days you are facing the serious risk of recruiting someone with the wrong or an insufficient skill set.