Image Credit: Computerizer from Pixabay.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has hit the news quite a few times in the past few years. Depending on which outlets you frequent, it can seem either like a wonder or something that’s here to replace you at work. Neither of these are exactly true, with there being a lot of confusion about what artificial intelligence actually is and what it does.
You could walk away from quite a few articles still not knowing the answer to either of these. It’s worth diving into AI and taking a proper look at it to figure out what it’s all about. Whether you’re worried about it taking your job, whether there are AI values, or you simply want to use it to make things easier for yourself, it’s worth an in-depth look.
It’s time to dive into the relatively confusing world of artificial intelligence.
What Is Artificial Intelligence?
So, what actually is artificial intelligence? Well, that depends on who exactly you ask. Quite a few people have argued whether or not something is actually artificial intelligence. At its basics, it’s a machine that uses what amounts to human intelligence to complete a task. Some people would also argue that these machines need to be capable of learning.
By some standards, AI is something that can quickly and efficiently learn how to do something, while carrying out a task to a high standard. In most cases, that means doing it to the same standard as a person, if not better. AI systems usually demonstrate certain behaviors, including:
Reasoning
Learning
Planning
Perception
Manipulation
Problem-solving
In short, artificial intelligence is relatively sophisticated, and uses learning techniques to figure out what a task is and how it can efficiently get it done.
Different Types Of AI
While the definition of artificial intelligence is relatively vague, what makes it more complicated is that there are multiple types of AI. It can be split into two broad categories, with both of these being put to different uses. It’s worth diving into what these are in a bit more detail.
They are:
Narrow AI - This is what you’ll see around you every day, such as with your computer. These systems have been specifically designed to carry out certain functions, without being explicitly programmed to do so. Machine learning is usually a part of this, as the system tends to learn on the job. Virtual assistants, like Siri on the iPhone, are some of the more obvious examples of this.
General AI - When you’re thinking of artificial intelligence, a certain image comes to mind. Terminator’s Skynet and 2001: A Space Oddyssey’s HAL are the more obvious examples of this. These are what’s known as a general AI. They have an adaptable intellect that’s much more capable of learning than a narrow AI, and they can carry out a variety of tasks. Experts still debate whether these can be an actual reality, however.
These artificial intelligences can then be used to do quite a few things. Whether you know it or not, AI could already be a decent part of your life, making it worth looking at the various uses of artificial intelligence. You could be surprised how common AI is, especially narrow AI, as it can be found in most peoples’ daily lives.
Uses Of Artificial Intelligence
With that in mind, what is artificial intelligence actually used for? That’s a relatively vague question, as AI has countless uses, and it can be programmed to do almost anything. Since it has the ability to learn, these uses continue to keep growing. All this depends on what you actually want it to do.
Virtual assistants, for example, can use it to segment normal emails from spam, for example. It’s also possible to create social media posts and articles with AI. Then there’s the likes of Siri and Amazon’s Alexa, both of which use AI to operate. Whether you know it or not, you’ll be more familiar with the uses of AI than you’d think.
They can be put to multiple applications, including:
Flagging inappropriate content online
Interpreting video footage from drones
Creating and editing content, especially written content
Carrying out tasks like booking hotels and flights
Artificial intelligence has been taking certain industries by storm, and it shows no sign of going away. Instead, it looks to get more popular and more advanced. While it can seem like a confusing area, it doesn’t have to be. By knowing the different types of AI and how it can be used, you shouldn’t have a problem understanding it.