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  • 7 Ways Neural Networks Can Be an Advantage

7 Ways Neural Networks Can Be an Advantage

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By: Kevin Gardner


​An artificial neural network (ANN) is a data processing paradigm that functions similarly to biological nervous systems. The innovative structure of an artificial neural network’s information processing system is its most important feature. This system comprises a huge number of highly interconnected processing computing pieces that work together to solve problems.

Artificial neural networks, like people, may learn by example. An artificial neural network is designed for a specific application, such as pattern recognition through a learning process. Adjustments to the synaptic connections between neurons are the basis of learning in biological systems. Artificial neural networks are no exception. Artificial neural networks are being used to solve an increasing variety of complicated real-world problems. They’re utilized to solve problems that are too difficult for traditional technologies to solve or don’t have an algorithmic solution. Here are a few benefits of using these networks.


1. Nonlinear Data Processing
Nonlinear systems have the ability to find computationally expensive solutions by using shortcuts. Instead of waiting for entries in a data source to be explicitly connected, these systems can infer links between data points.

This nonlinear short-cut technique is used to feed artificial neural networks, making it useful in commercial big-data processing. Quality neural network chips help make this process more efficient and scalable.

2. Able to Learn Organically
Neural networks have the ability to learn on their own. This indicates that the outputs of an artificial neural network aren’t totally constrained by the inputs and outcomes provided by an expert system. The ability to generalize inputs is a feature of artificial neural networks. Robotics and pattern recognition systems both benefit from this skill.

3. They Can Self-Repair
Artificial neural networks are capable of more than only routing around inactive areas of the network. These artificial neural networks can regenerate enormous volumes of data by inference and assist in discovering the node that is not operating if they are asked to find out specific data that is no longer communicating. This attribute is useful for networks that need to tell their users about the present state of the network, and it effectively results in a network that can self-debug and diagnose itself.

4. Help Business Leaders Be More Effective
There’s more to being a business leader than managing employees. Top-end leaders need to be able to make sense of a staggering amount of information and translate that into actionable processes for the front lines. Artificial intelligence (AI) and neural networks help with this task through their ability to gather and decode many data source streams simultaneously.  This helps give the leader a clearer, accurate picture of their business and frees up time to implement operations to improve their top line.

5. Benefits to Healthcare Industry
Neural networks have been utilized in healthcare for decades, despite appearing to be a future notion. ANNs can be used to diagnose heart and cancer problems and a variety of other ailments using large data. They can also be used to analyze urine and blood samples, as well as to track glucose levels in diabetics, determine ion levels in fluids, and diagnose a variety of medical disorders.

Neural networks are commonly used to assess medical images from diverse sectors of healthcare, including tumor identification, x-ray classifications, and MRIs. Finally, ANNs are employed in the creation of medications for a variety of illnesses, analyzing enormous volumes of data to reach conclusions about therapy possibilities.

6. Used in Market Strategies
Businesses can improve their marketing approach by implementing artificial neural networks because their systems can process large amounts of data. This includes personal information about consumers, shopping habits, and any other information important to your business.

This data can be organized and presented in a meaningful and accessible manner once it has been processed. To put it another way, customer segmentation allows organizations to focus their marketing efforts. Businesses can identify and target customers who are most likely to buy a given service or product.

Because marketing initiatives are more focused, time and money aren’t squandered advertising to clients who aren’t likely to engage.

7. Makes Targeted Marketing More Efficient
Artificial Neural Networks can discover customers with similar characteristics via unsupervised learning. For example, customers with comparable characteristics, such as economic status or a preference for vinyl albums over digital music, can be grouped together in this way.

ANNs may provide a clear goal for your marketing approach using supervised learning systems. They can split clients into comparable groups in the same way as unsupervised algorithms can.

Surveillance learning systems, on the other hand, can match client groups to the things they’re most likely to buy. This technological application can boost revenues by increasing sales.

To keep customers engaged with their app, Starbucks has deployed Artificial Neural Networks and tailored marketing. On their app, the corporation has integrated its rewards system, as well as its location and purchase history. This enables them to provide a more personalized experience, resulting in a $2.56 billion gain in revenue. Neural networks are a forthcoming technology with a lot of promise and may soon be seen in a multitude of applications.

Jacqueline "Jackie" Annis is an industrial hygienist with the Office of Partnerships and Recognition, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs in OSHA’s National Office.  Jackie’s primary responsibilities include developing and overseeing internal policies and procedures for the VPP, reviewing VPP on-site evaluation reports for process safety management information, serving as the National Office liaison for two of OSHA’s ten Regions, and facilitating the management of OSHA’s National Strategic Partnership Program.  She is an integral part of OSHA’s National Office team. 

She has served with the Agency for 36 years, including five years as a senior industrial hygienist in OSHA’s Office of Health Enforcement, Directorate of Enforcement Programs in the National Office and 17 years as a compliance safety and health officer in the Denver, CO Area Office.  Prior to her tenure at OSHA, Jackie worked as an industrial hygienist for the Department of the Navy in Alameda, California.  Jackie obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA in 1983.

Wayne Howard earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UC Davis and has spent 12 years with Shell (at Martinez) refinery, 3 years with the consulting firm Process Safety, 15 years with Valero (at Benicia), and the last 10 years in the Corporate Process Safety Department. He is the Valero representative to AFPM's Advancing Process Safety Initiative.

Nathan Obaugh, PE is a senior engineer in the Safety and Operational Excellence Group at NuStar Energy. Nathan has over 10 years of PSM and process design experience in the petrochemical, refining and midstream industries. At NuStar, Nathan oversees all elements of the corporate PSM program and works directly on hazard analysis, process safety studies, PSM/RMP audits and provides process engineering support to the operations and capital projects groups.

Jared Teter, PhD is a senior staff scientist with a background in physics and hazards analysis. He has extensive experience in subscale testing of energetic materials and has served as program manager for several large testing and risk management projects. He has applied engineering and risk management protocols while evaluating the risk associated with propellant and explosives manufacturing, combustible dust, and other hazardous material related processes.

Tim Belitz has a degree in Environmental Health/Industrial Hygiene from Old Dominion University and a Master’s from Duke University. He has over 25 years of Industrial Health Safety and Environmental Experience and is a Certified Safety Professional. He has many years focused on Contractor Management and Process Safety programs.

Rob Walker graduated from Virginia Tech in Microbiology and Chemical Engineering. Rob has almost 35 years of experience working in the chemical plant and refining industry. His passion for Process Safety and Mechanical Integrity began very early in his career. Rob began with his current company, Honeywell, back in 2011.

Prasad Joshi has B.S. and M.S. Degrees in Chemical Engineering from two universities in India. Prasad has over 30 years’ experience in the business. He began with Honeywell in May 2022 as Principal Maintenance Engineer. He has worked internationally in Asia and Europe.