What Does Artificial Intelligence (AI) Mean?
Artificial intelligence (AI), also known as machine intelligence, is a branch of computer science that focuses on building and managing technology that can learn to autonomously make decisions and carry out actions on behalf of a human being.
AI is not a single technology. Instead, it is an umbrella term that includes any type of software or hardware component that supports machine learning, computer vision, natural language understanding, natural language generation, natural language processing and robotics.
Today’s AI uses conventional CMOS hardware and the same basic algorithmic functions that drive traditional software. Future generations of AI are expected to inspire new types of brain-inspired circuits and architectures that can make data-driven decisions faster and more accurately than a human being can.
AI Use Cases in Business.
AI is currently being applied to a range of functions both in the lab and in commercial/consumer settings, including the following technologies:
Speech Recognition allows an intelligent system to convert human speech into text or code.
Natural Language Generation enables conversational interaction between humans and computers.
Computer Vision allows a machine to scan an image and use comparative analysis to identify objects in the image.
Machine learning focuses on building algorithmic models that can identify patterns and relationships in data.
Expert systems gain knowledge about a specific subject and can solve problems as accurately as a human expert on this subject.
At its heart, AI uses the same basic algorithmic functions that drive traditional software, but applies them in a different way. Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of AI is that it allows software to rewrite itself as it adapts to its environment.
What are the types of AI and how do they differ?
Ai is often spoken about in terms of being either weak or strong. Today, most business applications of AI are machine-learning applications of weak AI.
Narrow (Weak) AI is capable of performing only a limited set of predetermined functions.
General (Strong) AI is said to equal the human mind’s ability to function autonomously according to a wide set of stimuli;
Super AI is expected one day to exceed human intelligence (and conceivably take over the world).
AI initiatives are also talked about in terms of their belonging to one of four categories:
Reactive AI relies on real-time data to make decisions.
Limited Memory AI relies on stored data to make decisions.
Theory of Mind AI can consider subjective elements such as user intent when making decisions.
Self-Aware AI possesses a human-like consciousness that is capable of independently setting goals and using data to decide the best way to achieve an objective.
A good way to visualize these distinctions is to imagine AI as a professional poker player. A reactive player bases all decisions on the current hand in play, while a limited memory player will consider their own and other player’s past decisions.
A Theory of Mind player factors in other player’s behavioral cues and finally, a self-aware professional AI player stops to consider if playing poker to make a living is really the best use of their time and effort.
