What is Artificial Intelligence?

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence (AI)is the ability of computer systems or robots to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. This encompasses learning from data, reasoning to solve problems, understanding and responding to language, and perceiving the environment. AI systems are often designed to improve their performance over time through experience. For a more in-depth understanding of the nuances of AI, including its different forms and applications, you can consult this comprehensive resource on artificial intelligence from Britannica.

While AI aims to mimic human intellectual processes such as reasoning and problem-solving, a key difference lies in adaptability. Most current AI systems excel within the boundaries of their programming and training data. They struggle with the kind of flexible, generalized adaptation to novel situations that characterizes human intelligence. For example, a program trained to identify cats in images may fail when shown a cat in an unusual pose or setting, unlike a human who can easily generalize their knowledge to new contexts. The complexities of human intelligence are explored further in this fascinating Britannica essay on Nonbiological Man.

AI is already found in various applications, including medical diagnosis, search engines like Google, voice assistants like Siri, and chatbots. More advanced applications include self-driving cars and sophisticated data analysis tools. The field is rapidly evolving, with its applications increasingly impacting many aspects of modern life. Learn more about the diverse applications of AI in Britannica's detailed article.