Articles

What is AI anyhow? 

 

October 16, 2024

 

PRESENTED BY

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been on our radar for decades, but its roots stretch back much further than you might think.

 

Let's take a brief trip down memory lane:

 

  • 1950s: Alan Turing published "Computing Machinery and Intelligence," proposing the Turing Test to measure machine intelligence. This marked the beginning of AI as we know it today.
  • 1960s-1970s: Early excitement led to developments like realistic chatbots and mobile robots, giving us a glimpse into what's possible with human-like thinking computers.
  • 1980s-1990s: "AI winter" struck due to limitations in computing power and data availability. But we didn't give up!
  • 2010s: AI entered its current "spring," thanks to advancements in machine learning, deep learning, cloud computing, and big data.

 

So what makes AI tick? At its core, it's about creating computer systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence:

 

  1. Visual perception
  2. Speech recognition
  3. Decision-making
  4. Language translation

 

AI works by combining large datasets with intelligent algorithms. Here's a simplified breakdown of the process:

 

  • Input: Data is collected and prepared for the AI system.
  • Processing: The AI analyzes data using pre-programmed algorithms and learned patterns.
  • Output: Based on its analysis, the AI produces results or makes decisions.
  • Learning: The AI uses feedback to improve performance over time.

 

There are two main types of AI: narrow (specific tasks) and general (anything a human can do). But what about some key technologies that make it all possible?

 

The Power Players

 

  1. Machine Learning
  2. Deep Learning
  3. Natural Language Processing

 

These tools enable us to:

 

  • Recognize patterns in data using machine learning.
  • Process vast amounts of information with deep learning.
  • Understand and generate human language with natural language processing.

 

AI is already woven into our daily lives, influencing everything from personalized recommendations on Netflix to self-driving cars. But as AI continues to evolve, we need to consider its ethical implications and ensure it benefits society as a whole.

 

The Future of AI

 

Get ready for more advanced applications in healthcare, education, and environmental protection. As the field grows, so do our expectations – but with great power comes responsibility.

 

Stay tuned!

 

 

Sources:


[1] https://www.coursera.org/articles/history-of-ai
[2] https://www.textmetrics.com/the-origins-of-ai-unraveling-artificial-intelligences-rich-history
[3] https://www.tableau.com/data-insights/ai/history
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9686179/
[5] https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-ai-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-artificial-intelligence/
[6] https://library.icc.edu/c.php?g=1372140&p=10141462
[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_artificial_intelligence
[8] https://www.heinz.cmu.edu/media/2023/July/artificial-intelligence-explained