Narrow AI Categorization Framework

If you’ve ever used a chatbot, relied on Google Maps, or let Netflix suggest your next binge, you’ve already met Narrow AI—smart tools built to do one thing really well. But not all Narrow AI is created equal. From systems that recognize faces to those that write emails or sort invoices, each type has its own personality and purpose. In this post, we’ll break down the Narrow AI universe into clear, bite-sized categories so you can understand what these tools actually do, how they work, and where they show up in everyday life. Whether you're exploring AI for fun, work, or your own blog, this framework will help you see the tech with clarity and confidence.

Tier 1: Functionality & Use Case

Broad categories based on what the AI does.

Tier 2: Sub-Categories

Specific technical approaches or design styles

Tier 3: Real-World Examples

Actual tools or platforms that embody each sub-category.

1. Rule-Based Systems

Sub-Category	Description	Examples
Decision Trees	Logic-based branching decisions	IFTTT, Zapier filters
Expert Systems	Knowledge base + inference engine	MYCIN (medical diagnosis, CLIPS
Finite State Machines	Predefine states and transitions	Simple game NPC's, basic chatbots

2. Machine Learning Models

Sub-Category	Description	Examples
Classification Models	Categorize data into labels	Gmail spam filter, Google Lens
Regression Models	Predict continuous values	Zillow price estimator, stock predictors
Clustering Models	Group similar data points	Spotify genre clustering, customer segmentation tools
Anomaly Detection	Spot unusual patterns	Credit card fraud detection, Datadog alerts

3. Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Sub-category	Description	Examples
Text Classification	Label or sort text	Twitter sentiment analysis, Grammarly tone checker
Named Entity Recognition (NER)	Identify names, places, dates	Google Search snippets, Hugging Face NER models
Text Generation	Create human-like text	ChatGPT, Jasper.ai, Copy.ai
Machine Translation	Translate between two languages	Google Translate, DeepL
Summarization	Condense long text	QuillBot, SMMRY, Notion AI

4. Computer Vision Systems

Sub-catergory	Description	Examples
Image Classification	Label Images	Google Photos, Pinterest visual search
Object Detection	Locate objects in images	Tesla Autopilot, YOLO models
Facial Recognition	Match faces to identities	Apple Face ID, Clearview AI
Image Segmentation	Divide image into regions	Medical imaging tools, Adobe Photoshop AI
Optical Character Recognition (OCR)	Extract text from images	Adobe Scan, CamScanner, Tesseract

5. Speech Recognition Systems

Sub-Category	Description	Examples
Voice Command Systems	Trigger actions via speech	Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
Transcription Tools	Convert speech to text	Otter. ai, Rev, Descript
Speaker Identification	Recognize who is speaking	Zoom voice profiles, Nuance biometrics
Emotion Detection	Analyze tone and mood	Cogito, Beyond Verbal

6. Expert Systems

Sub-Category	Description	Examples
Medical Diagnosis AIs	Suggest conditions based on symptoms	Ada Health, Infermedica
Legal Advisory Bots	Offer legal guidance	DoNotPay ROSS Intelligence
Financial Planning Tools	Recommend investment strategies	Betterment, Wealthfront

7. Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Sub-Category	Description	Examples
Data Entry Bots	Transfer info between systems	UiPath, Automation Anywhere
Invoice Processing	Extract and organize billing date	ABBY FlexiCapture
Email sorting	Route messages based on content.	Outlook Rules, Gmail filters
Form Filling	Auto- complete online forms	Browser extensions, Selenium script

Understanding Narrow AI doesn’t have to feel like decoding a sci-fi script. With a clear framework in hand, you can start recognizing the smart systems all around you—from the apps that organize your inbox to the tools that help you write, shop, or even learn. As you explore AI more deeply, this categorization gives you a solid foundation to spot opportunities, ask better questions, and choose the right tools with confidence. Keep this guide handy, share it with a curious friend, and remember: the more you understand AI, the more empowered you become to use it creatively and fearlessly.