It's About to Get Way, Way Easier to Put AI Everywhere

Google has a vision for a world full of cheap and tiny smart devices--and it hopes its software will power them all. A couple of years back, Google launched an open-source machine-learning software library called TensorFlow. It has since exploded in popularity, to the point where it's now used by the likes of Airbnb, eBay, Uber, Snapchat, and Dropbox to power their AI development. Its appeal is obvious: it allows relative beginners to build and train neural networks without needing a PhD in artificial intelligence. As a result, the library now forms a major component of Google's business plan.