The Basics of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence, we all have heard of this term despite our background and career domain. We have Artificial Intelligence in our service at least once to date, and daily for most cases, googling the queries to our concerns to the personal assistants in our smartphones. So, what is Artificial Intelligence or AI?

AI, in the simplest form, is an intelligent system that’s not human, by means, it’s artificial or created by humans. The term was first coined in 1956. Computer scientists or machine specialists developed a concept where a machine will acquire the human abilities and qualities to problem-solving and decision-making with appropriate learning, reasoning and perceptions. The most common examples of AI would be Robots. Alan Turing published a paper Computing Machinery and Intelligence in 1950, highlighting a specific question: can a machine think? An experiment that is said to have a contribution to shape AI. 

AI, being an intelligent system, is categorized based on its functions and performance. It classifies into Narrow AI and General AI. Narrow AI comprises systems that perform a single task or a set of closely related tasks like Facial recognition tools, Customer service bots, or even self-driving cars. The system that takes on a rather closely mirroring of human intelligence, the Tianhe-2, a supercomputer developed by China’s National University of Defense Technology, can classify as General AI.

Now the questions may arise, why machines when we humans are intelligent enough? True indeed, but we humans have our limitations to compare with a machine’s performance and capabilities. Supporting the statement, Deep Blue, a chess-playing computer system in 1985, won a chess match against a renowned grandmaster under-regulated time constraints. Again a quiz answering system called Watson in 2011 foreshadowed the champions, Brad Rutter and Ken Jennings. And in 2017, Alpha Go, a computer program, won a three-game match against Ke Jie, the top-rated Go player.

Over time, AI has expanded its disciplines and applications to enhance the possibilities for humanity and welfare. The advances in the health care system with the addition of AI have been remarkable. The detection and treatment of some specific illness, the computer-aided interpretation of medical images, Mining medical records for critical information, adopting avatars replacing the patients for clinical training and so on. AI is employed in the business and e-commerce sector, changing the scenario for the creators and consumers. Departments like Finance, Military, Law, Transportation, Cybersecurity, Agriculture, Education, induced great progressions respectively, with the adoption of AI.

Again, for the concern about AI being invincible, as it reigns over each discipline, and how it might serve humans. Yes, AI has a wide application that touches each corner and core, furthermore, occasionally surpassing human expertise, forthcoming as a potential threat. Not to disregard the evidence that AI has appeared as a revolution in technology and human civilization. Scientists like Stephen Hawking stating that “the rise of powerful AI will be the best or the worst thing, ever to happen to humanity. We do not yet know which.” 

Intelligence demonstrated by machines or systems that exhibit human intellect has become a great deal today. As its history remains remarkable, the future holds optimism in advancement to appearance. And, chances for you to find the concept of AI tempting, aspire to walk down the path here is the link that might be beneficial to you. 

Posted by Smritee Neupane.