What is AI? 

Introduction 

     Have you ever heard of AI? I'm sure you have, but do you know the full meaning? Do you know the different ways to teach AI, such as deep learning and machine learning? Keep reading to find out more.

How is AI Useful?

      AI stands for Artificial Intelligence, and is a term for applications that do difficult or repetitive things that used to be done by human power. AI is also known for computer systems that can do hard, complex things that are usually done by human reasoning. 

     Computer software and hardware has the big challenge of trying to do tasks that are generally done using the human brain and human perception or communication. The speed, precision and effectiveness of human intelligence are boosted by AI.  

    Basically, AI will help do all the hard, boring work so humans can do the important stuff that can only be done by a person.  

Machines That Learn

     Any artificial machine system can perform tasks of random things that could happen with no human to guide it. 

     AI is different because computers use neural networks to train themselves to process data in a way that is similar to the human brains. 

    Computer vision relies on recognizing patterns and deep learning to figure out what is in a picture or video.

   AI in Business

     Every type of business has a big demand for things AI can do including systems that can be used for automation like research. The idea of what AI wants to achieve is to first copy the way humans see the world, and then go beyond. 

    AI is gradually getting better at performing tasks that once required human efforts.  Machines use AI to automate and get tasks done faster and more efficiently. 

    AI is useful for jobs that have to be repeated or jobs that a machine can do faster than human hands. AI can also take over doing jobs that are very stressful, tiring, or dangerous for humans to do.

     For example, if a landmine needs to be deactivated, it is safer for a non-human robot to go into the minefield to do the job than for a human to risk his life.

      Also, truck drivers get tired after driving for several hours, and tired drivers can become a danger on the road. AI machines don't need to sleep, so they can drive for longer hours without becoming tired like humans.

AI in Your House

     Even if you haven't seen it, there is almost certainly AI in your home, such as voice-controlled assistants and monitoring devices. Google Home and Alexa devices to turn on lights, play music, control the temperature, and run household appliances. 

     Even a Roomba vacuum cleaner is an example of AI used in the home to automatically clean your floors so you have more time to do other fun things.

    AI is becoming increasingly popular because now you can buy games like virtual reality which are played through a headset. 

     In your home, all these devices use AI in ways to respond to questions, complete tasks and interact with humans

AI in the Past

     In the 1950s early AI explored things like problem solving and symbolic ways. Symbolic ways is the use of symbols to communicate feelings, ideas, or concepts.

     The United States Department of Defense continued this work in the 1960s and started training computers to match human intelligence.

     Artificial intelligence was even used thousands of years ago in ancient times. Records of an automaton, a mechanical pigeon that was created by a friend of philosopher Plato, come from the year 400 BCE. 

     An automaton is a mechanical device that can be designed and programmed to imitate the actions of a living thing or human.

    One of the most famous automatons was created by Leonardo da Vinci around the year 1495. Da Vinci designed and built a machine called Leonardo's Mechanical Knight. The automaton was dressed like a knight in armor, and powered by a mechanical crank using cables and pulleys so that it could do human motions like sit, stand, and move its head.

AI in the Future?

     So what is the future for AI? Over the last several years, AI machines have continued to improve because of technological advances, more powerful computers, better programming, and their ability to collect massive amounts of data and information and learn from their mistakes.

    The future of AI has many advantages for humans. Here are some of the pros: Video games consoles use AI! So you have a more exciting gaming experience.  AI can do all the boring, repetitive tasks (so you have more time for playing those video games!). AI can also do dangerous tasks humans once had to do, and even clean your floor at the same time!

     But AI also has some important disadvantages you need to think about. Here are some cons: AI can take over work of humans, so people may lose their jobs, such as if driver-less trucks cause truck drivers and delivery people to become unemployed. 

    AI could get so smart it starts programming itself. Some Teslas are self-driving cars that use AI, but people worry the technology may have glitches that could cause dangerous crashes.

    Personally, I think AI is great because you can get to do more of the fun stuff (like Fortnite), while AI has to do all the boring stuff.  What do you think?