Abstract
In the technology-driven world, the continuous evolution in technology has an immense impact on every domain of human civilization. Intuitive, assistive technological advancement enables the use of innovative applications. In recent years, among such rapidly developing technologies are augmented intelligence and augmented reality. Augmented intelligence is a technology that combines artificial intelligence with human intelligence to achieve operation. On the other hand, augmented reality is a technology where users interact through the lens of a camera and feel as if they work in a real-world environment. In this milieu, it is imperative for libraries to use these technologies and offer a strategic medium through which libraries can deliver the information to the patrons. The subject of this article is to explore the concept of augmented intelligence and augmented reality and their application in libraries.
TopIntroduction
“Augmented intelligence is the alternative conceptualization of artificial intelligence”. It emphasises the importance of machine learning and the predictive analysis of data replacing human intelligence (Rui, 2017). It is one of the most useful types of artificial intelligence and uses machine learning, deep learning and predictive analysis of datasets to enhance human intelligence (IEEE Digital Reality, n.d). Augmented intelligence means the “use of technology to expand human information processing capabilities as it allows the combination of human intuition and imagination with the ability of artificial intelligence”. That means humans will directly influence the input and output of a system based on the judgement of augmented intelligence (Zheng et al., 2017). Its motive is not to replace humans but to expand their thinking (Sharma, 2018). According to Wójcik (2020) the potential of the human cognitive process and applying the computing power of machines offers the flexibility to connect digital and physical environments, creating the potential for development in human activities. Thus, augmented intelligence is the junction of two concepts viz artificial intelligence and augmented reality.
The advent of smartphones led every individual to have an augmented reality interface in the palm of their hands. The uses of augmented reality are mostly for entertainment purposes and can be widely seen in popular media platforms like Facebook and Snapchat, this technology may be utilised in learning and may further be used to introduce nonusers to the physical and virtual space of the libraries and allow to access resources from reference services (Lund & Agbaji, 2018). Augmented reality is the integration of 3D virtual objects in real-time with a 3D real environment. It is a part of mixed reality where virtual objects are superimposed with the real world and the users can see the real world (Azuma, 1997). It allows the integration of the real and the virtual world and displays information directly on the mobile device which corresponds to the physical environment. This technology allows users to experience a computer-enhanced perception of the world around them and to explore the new environment in an augmented view of reality (Baumgartner-Kiradi et. al, 2018; Abram, 2019). Augmented reality is a highly visual and interactive method of overlaying digital contents through the camera and is easily streamed on smartphones. It aims at enhancing the user’s perception of interaction with the real world and brings virtual information not only to the immediate surroundings but also provides an indirect view of the real-world environment (Carmigniani & Furht, 2011; Sinha, 2021).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Human- Intelligence: is the intellectual quality of humans that consists of the ability to learn from experience, adapt to new situations, understand and handle abstract concepts, and use knowledge to manipulate one's environment.
Conversational Agents: A conversational agent is a piece of software that interprets and responds to user assertions in natural language. It combines computational linguistics approaches with internet communication. It is a system that imitates human conversation through the use of communication channels such as speech, text, as well as facial expressions and gestures. These agents are significantly more contextual than chatbots since they understand natural language.
Augmented Intelligence: is a technology that combines artificial intelligence with human intelligence to achieve the goal/target/operation. It is a design pattern using the human-centred model of people and artificial intelligence working together in order to enhance cognitive performance. It is the alternative conceptualization of artificial intelligence. It emphasises the helpful role of AI, highlighting that cognitive technology is intended to improve rather than replace human intelligence.
Augmented Books: A combination of the physical book and augmented reality technology that allows the user to interact with additional three-dimensional information related to the content of the book. It represents images of books showing objects emerging from the pages, trying to represent the immersive experience of an augmented reality book experience.
Artificial Intelligence: is the ability of a computer or robot controlled by a computer to do tasks usually done by humans. It refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines to think like humans and mimic their actions. It is a broad topic of computer science focused on creating intelligent machines that can accomplish activities that would normally require human intelligence.
Human-Robotic Interactions: is a field of study dedicated to understanding, designing, and evaluating robotic systems for use by or with humans. It is the science of studying individuals’ behaviour or attitude toward robots with relation to the physical, technological and interactive features of the robots.
Robots: any automatically operated machine that replaces human effort, though it may not resemble human beings in appearance or perform functions in a humanlike manner. It is the product of the robotics field, where programmable machines are built that can assist humans or mimic human actions.
Chatbots: Simulates human-to-human conversation, notably over the internet, with computer software. It uses voice instructions, text chat, or a combination of the two to mimic human conversation. It's a free-to-use automated tool that talks with consumers in the same manner, as a human would. Chatbots are available to help customers at all hours of the day and week, regardless of time or location.
Augmented Reality: is a technology through which a real-world environment is augmented by a computer-generated environment where users interact through the lens of a camera or cell phone feeling as if one works in a real-world environment. It is an interactive experience of a real-world environment in which computer-generated perceptual information enhances the items in the actual world, sometimes spanning many sensory modalities, including visual, aural, haptic, somatosensory, and olfactory.
Virtual Environment: it is a networked application that allows interaction of the user between the computing environment and the work of other users. It refers to the system which offers solutions to the educators to create an interactive and active learning environment. Email, chat, and web-based document sharing applications are all examples of virtual environments.