Applied Statistics in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: A Review and Vision

TL;DR

This paper reviews how artificial intelligence has transformed applied statistics, highlighting the evolving relationship, recent advancements, and future roles of statisticians in the AI era.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the integration of AI and applied statistics, emphasizing recent technological impacts and future directions.

Findings

AI enhances statistical modeling and analysis.

Statisticians play a crucial role in AI development.

Applied statistics is fundamentally evolving with AI advancements.

Abstract

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has significantly changed many domains, including applied statistics. This review and vision paper explores the evolving role of applied statistics in the AI era, drawing from our experiences in engineering statistics. We begin by outlining the fundamental concepts and historical developments in applied statistics and tracing the rise of AI technologies. Subsequently, we review traditional areas of applied statistics, using examples from engineering statistics to illustrate key points. We then explore emerging areas in applied statistics, driven by recent technological advancements, highlighting examples from our recent projects. The paper discusses the symbiotic relationship between AI and applied statistics, focusing on how statistical principles can be employed to study the properties of AI models and enhance AI systems. We also examine how AI can advance applied statistics in terms of modeling and analysis. In conclusion, we reflect on the future role of statisticians. Our paper aims to shed light on the transformative impact of AI on applied statistics and inspire further exploration in this dynamic field.