AI: The History and Future

What is AI?

AI, meaning Artificial Intelligence, is the ability of computer systems to complete tasks that require a level of human-like intelligence that are needed in everyday life, such as decision-making, problem-solving, reasoning, and more. This technology has learned to recognize patterns in human behavior, adjusting to the level of intelligence that it needs to provide in a given situation. AI can appear in various forms, ranging from data analysis to the generation of content to language processing and more.

What led to the creation of AI?

Before the official release of AI programs, Alan Turing is frequently credited for working on various scientific projects, such as the Turing Test, that paved the way for early AI development. John McCarthy initially thought of the term “Artificial Intelligence" in 1955, and proposed the idea of the Dartmouth Summer Research Project, which occurred soon after in 1956. This conference is widely recognized to be the first introduction of such concepts to the public, leading to AI formally becoming its own field of study. The goals for AI at this time were much broader, with a focus on creating a general human intelligence system without specialization.

What is happening in AI right now?

Currently, AI is experiencing rapid growth with more advanced systems that can interpret complex data. The most expansive areas of AI in recent years have focused on generative, multimodal, agentic, robotics, and science and healthcare AI. Autonomous AI agents have been a major focus, which are systems that can be programmed to perform tasks on their own, learning from obstacles and adjusting for new scenarios.

ChatGPT

When most people think of AI, the first topic that comes to mind is most likely ChatGPT, a popular AI system that answers questions through a chatbot conversation. This form of AI has brought about much controversy across the globe due to its effect on society's intelligence. The ability to ask the chat to create anything you ask it to has been a concern, especially for the ethics of the student body. This resource has become a threat to academic integrity and the development of young minds. It's never been easier to have an essay be written, or to get the answers to your homework simply by the click of a button, making the system a danger to society. ChatGPT poses a threat to students' academic abilities by restricting the development of critical thinking skills and displaying bias towards certain information, making it unreliable. Additionally, students with excellent writing skills may be flagged for using AI, when in reality their work was falsely claimed as AI-generated by detectors. Many pieces of writing that you come across on a daily basis could very well be made by ChatGPT. It was determined that approximately 9% of news articles in U.S. newspapers were partially or fully AI-generated in 2025. This means that the information you read in the news today could have been written by a robot, or entirely inaccurate. Other professions, such as educators, financial analysts, accountants, and legal industry workers, are frequently noted for their growing use of ChatGPT. 

What will the effect of these advancements be?

A major concern for the progression of AI is the impact that it will have on careers. AI is already replacing thousands of jobs across the country, which will only increase with its rapid development. In October 2025, a survey revealed that over 48,000 workers have lost their jobs due to AI or automation so far this year in the United States. AI has the ability to complete tasks such as data entry, customer service, manufacturing, and many others, serving as a threat to people entering the job market in future years.

The question remains: Has AI crossed the line, and what does this mean for the future of society?