Listen to our series on how AI is changing everything

Samantha Lee/Business Insider

The term artificial intelligence (AI) was coined in 1956 by a professor at Dartmouth College who convened the first ever academic summit on the topic. Now it's one of several acronyms denoting innovation - including VR, AR, ML - that are tossed around by marketing organizations and tech startups.

What is clearly understood is this: the impact and promise of AI is profound, but it's not all happening at once, and we're only at the beginning of its potential. AI is already finding its way into daily life (think Netflix recommendations). But progress is uneven across verticals, and it can be difficult to sort out the hype from the reality.

With an orientation always to provide clarity on complex topics, Business Insider's newsroom has taken a deep dive into how AI is playing out across key industry verticals.

And we're making these stories available to listen to. Below, you can either click to read the story, or press play where you see the option to "Listen to this article."

Here's a breakdown of how AI is impacting various verticals:

Advertising

Consumers are tuning out ads more than ever. Big brands are betting AI can help them break through with better targeting and personalization.

Consumer tech

AI is already in your home. Soon it could tell you how much sleep to get or help you communicate better with the world.

Enterprise tech

'Data is the epicenter of the AI revolution': How AI is disrupting the data center and enterprise IT markets.

Finance

AI has the potential to radically transform financial services. But first banks need to get their data in order.

Healthcare

The $1.2 trillion pharma industry has ambitions for AI technology, but "people are ignoring" a lot of its uses.

Investing

Automated trading has already upended markets. Now AI could shake up stock picking and investment advice.

Media

Netflix and its rivals are using AI and lessons from Bandersnatch to make shows even more binge-worthy.

Retail

Walmart's artificial intelligence-powered "store of the future" might sound like hype, but AI has big potential for retailers big and small.

Transportation

AI is already reshaping how we get around, but progress will stall if vital infrastructure problems are not addressed.

Workplace

AI is going to change your career. IBM is showing how that can be a good thing.