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Introduction
Artificial Intelligence
Definition
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a term coined in 1955 by John McCarthy, a
Stanford professor. He defined it as “The science and engineering of making
intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs.” Over the
years, many other definitions have been proposed, including the following:
• Artificial intelligence is intelligence demonstrated by machines, as opposed
to the natural intelligence displayed by animals and humans.
• Artificial intelligence means a machine-based system that can, for a given
set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or
decisions influencing real or virtual environments.
• Artificial intelligence involves the theory and development of computer
systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence,
such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and trans-
lation between languages.
Approaches
Russell and Norvig, authors of Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, have
identified four potential goals or definitions of AI, which differentiate com-
puter systems based on rationality and thinking versus acting:
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024 1
A. Khan, Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Everyone,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-56713-1_1
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• Human approach:
–– Systems that think like humans.
–– Systems that act like humans.
• Ideal approach:
–– Systems that think rationally.
–– Systems that act rationally.
Objective
The objective of AI is to create technology that allows computers and machines
to work intelligently so that they can perform tasks that usually require human
intelligence. It aims to enhance human capabilities and perform intellectual
tasks like providing solutions, answering questions, making predictions, solv-
ing problems, decision-making, offering strategic suggestions, and under-
standing human communication. It aims to understand languages, recognize
patterns, make decisions, solve problems, and learn from experience. AI’s goal
is to make machines capable of mimicking and even enhancing human cogni-
tive abilities, ultimately making our lives easier, more efficient, and more
productive.
AI Simplified
Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science. It is a field that com-
bines computer science and robust datasets to enable problem-solving. It
encompasses subfields, such as machine learning.
In the simplest explanation, AI is like teaching computers to think and act
like humans. Just as we use our brains to solve problems, learn new things,
and make decisions, AI helps computers do similar things. It is all about mak-
ing machines smart enough to understand us, talk to us, and help us with
tasks that normally need human smarts.
Basic AI Process
AI is a transformative field that harnesses systems and machines designed to
replicate human intelligence, enabling them to execute various tasks. What
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sets AI apart is its capacity to learn and evolve through iterative processing
and algorithmic training, much like how humans learn from experience.
These systems continuously collect data, analyze patterns, and adjust their
operations based on new inputs. In essence, AI systems have the unique abil-
ity to self-improve, becoming more proficient with each cycle of data
processing.
The core mechanics of AI involve the amalgamation of extensive datasets
with intelligent, iterative processing algorithms. These algorithms allow AI
systems to discern patterns and features within the data they scrutinize. The
advantage of AI is its ability to operate ceaselessly, around the clock, executing
millions of tasks with remarkable speed. This constant activity allows AI to
gather vast amounts of data, enabling it to learn, adapt, and enhance its capa-
bilities over time.
As AI systems continue to evolve and accumulate knowledge, they contrib-
ute to the ongoing advancement of various fields and industries. Whether it is
in healthcare, finance, or technology, the ability of AI to process data and
learn from it has the potential to revolutionize how we approach complex
problems and tasks, ultimately driving innovation and efficiency on a
global scale.
AI Tasks
AI can perform a multitude of tasks, including automating repetitive pro-
cesses, making predictions based on data analysis, recognizing patterns and
anomalies, understanding and generating human language, interpreting visual
information from images and videos, optimizing decision-making, assisting
in medical diagnoses, recommending products and content, and simulating
complex scenarios.
AI can also play strategic games, create art and music, translate languages,
personalize user experiences, and enable autonomous systems in industries
like transportation and robotics. AI’s versatility and ability to learn and adapt
from data make it a valuable tool for enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and inno-
vation across a wide range of applications and industries.
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Background
Birth of AI
Since early AI research was conducted in the 1950s, which explored topics
like problem-solving, it has continued to evolve. In 1950, Alan Turing pre-
sented a paper that discussed how to build intelligent machines and test this
intelligence. At the Dartmouth Workshop in 1956, where the birth of AI as a
field is considered to have taken place, researchers gathered to explore the pos-
sibilities of creating machines that could simulate human intelligence. The
first AI program was presented at the Dartmouth Summer Research Project
on Artificial Intelligence (DSRPAI), which laid the foundation for AI research
in the next few decades.
Early History
In the 1950s, early AI researchers focused on logic and symbolic reasoning to
simulate human thought processes. Programs like “Logic Theorist” and
“General Problem Solver” attempted to solve problems using rules and logic.
The 1960s–1970s period marked early successes and challenges. During
this period, AI pioneers developed programs that could play chess, solve alge-
bra problems, and understand natural language to a limited extent. The
“Eliza” program simulated conversation, laying the foundation for chatbots.
However, progress was slower than initially expected, and some early opti-
mism gave way to an AI winter—a quiet period for AI research and develop-
ment. In the 1960s, the US Department of Defense started to work in this
field and began to train computers to mimic basic human reasoning.
In the 1970s, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
completed the street mapping project. The concept of expert systems was
developed in the 1970s by Edward Feigenbaum, a computer scientist. An
expert system is a computer program that uses AI technologies to simulate a
human’s judgment, behavior, and decision-making ability.
Progress: 1980s–1990s
The 1980s–1990s period saw the emergence of knowledge-based systems.
Research shifted to knowledge-based systems, where AI systems used pre-
defined rules and knowledge bases to make decisions. Expert systems like
“MYCIN” diagnosed diseases, and “DENDRAL” identified chemical
structures.
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In the 1980s, AI development was boosted by expanding the algorithmic
toolkit and more dedicated funds. Deep learning techniques were introduced,
which enabled computers to learn through experience. In 1997, reigning
World Chess Champion and Grandmaster Gary Kasparov was defeated by
IBM’s Deep Blue, a chess-playing computer program showcasing specialized
AI’s power in complex games.
Progress: Since the Turn of the Century
In the first decade of this century, machine learning gained prominence with
improved algorithms and access to vast volumes of data. AI was integrated
into online services like search engines, recommendation systems, and virtual
assistants. In 2003, DARPA produced intelligent personal assistants, much
before Siri or Alexa were developed and became household names.
In the next decade, deep learning was enabled by neural networks with
many layers, which led to remarkable breakthroughs in image and speech
recognition, natural language processing (NLP), robotic process automation,
smart homes, and more. AI-powered products became mainstream, including
virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa.
At this time, AI continues to advance in areas like self-driving cars, health-
care diagnostics, and creative tasks. In 2020, Baidu released the LinearFold AI
algorithm to scientific and medical teams that were developing a vaccine dur-
ing the early stages of the COVID pandemic. The algorithm could predict the
RNA sequence of the virus in only 27 seconds, which is 120 times faster than
other methods. Currently, research focuses on responsible AI, human-AI col-
laboration, and the challenges of AGI. During this period, ethical concerns
around bias, transparency, and job displacement have become more prominent.
This timeline highlights key moments in AI history. However, it is impor-
tant to note that AI’s progress has been shaped by multiple phases of excite-
ment, disillusionment, and resurgence, reflecting the challenges and
opportunities of this dynamic field.
Drivers
A combination of technological advancements, societal needs, economic fac-
tors, incentives, and research breakthroughs has driven the development and
popularity of AI.
The key drivers contributing to AI’s growth interact and reinforce each
other, leading to a dynamic cycle of innovation and progress.
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Data, Performance, and Infrastructure Drivers
Data Explosion and Availability
Data plays a pivotal role in the advancement of AI, and the current landscape
is characterized by the explosion of data and increased data availability. The
proliferation of digital technologies has resulted in an unprecedented volume
of data generated from diverse sources, including social media, sensors, and
online activities. AI relies on massive data volumes to process its algorithms,
learn, and make informed decisions.
This abundance of data has fueled the development of AI, supported by the
emergence of various data labeling tools and the accessibility of structured
and unstructured data storage and processing. The availability of vast amounts
of structured and unstructured data, in turn, has empowered the creation of
powerful machine learning models, underscoring the symbiotic relationship
between AI and data.
Computational Power
Advances in hardware, particularly graphics processing units (GPUs) and spe-
cialized hardware like tensor processing units (TPUs), have significantly acceler-
ated AI model training and inference processes and made complex computations
feasible. It has also made it possible to train complex models faster and at larger
scales, enabling the development of more sophisticated AI systems.
Affordable Computing Power
Affordable computing power has played a pivotal role in advancing artificial
intelligence. With the ability to process massive volumes of data at a reason-
able cost, AI development and usage have experienced a significant boost.
This accessibility to high-performance computing resources has enabled
researchers and businesses to harness AI’s full potential, leading to innovations
in various fields.
Algorithms and Models
Breakthroughs in developing sophisticated machine learning algorithms, par-
ticularly deep learning, have revolutionized AI. The development of advanced
algorithms and techniques has enabled faster and more efficient processing
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that AI needs. Deep learning models can automatically learn complex, intri-
cate patterns from data, leading to breakthroughs in tasks like language trans-
lation as well as image and speech recognition.
Cloud Computing
Cloud platforms have revolutionized the landscape of AI development by pro-
viding scalable and cost-effective computing resources. This transformation
empowers both individuals and organizations to embark on AI projects with-
out the need for substantial upfront investments in hardware infrastructure.
With the flexibility and accessibility of cloud-based solutions, AI applications
can be easily developed, deployed, and run, democratizing the field and fos-
tering innovation across various sectors.
Open-Source Frameworks
The availability of open-source AI frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch
has democratized AI development. These frameworks provide tools and librar-
ies that researchers and developers can use to build AI models.
NLP Breakthrough
Advances in NLP have led to improved language understanding and genera-
tion by AI systems. It has enabled more human-like interactions between
computers and humans, leading to the development of applications like chat-
bots, virtual assistants, and language translation services.
Business Drivers
Investment and Funding
The growing interest in AI has attracted increased investment from both pub-
lic and private sectors, fueling research and development. This financial sup-
port enables the exploration of new ideas and technologies, advancing avenues
for AI across research, development, and commercialization.
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Industry Applications
AI has demonstrated its potential to improve efficiency and outcomes across
healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and transportation industries. Hence,
organizations are motivated to adopt AI to stay competitive and provide bet-
ter services.
Competitive Advantage
AI provides previously unavailable insights and enables faster decision-
making, providing enterprises with the competitive edge they seek. AI fea-
tures and capabilities can lead to lower costs, reduced risks, faster time to
market, and many other benefits.
Automation and Efficiency
AI-driven automation is a compelling solution for businesses, as it has the
potential to streamline operations, cut down on expenses, and significantly
boost productivity across diverse industry domains. Its ability to handle repet-
itive tasks efficiently while continuously learning and adapting makes it an
indispensable tool for organizations seeking operational optimization.
Robotics and Autonomous Systems
AI has found applications in robotics and automation, leading to the develop-
ment of self-driving cars, drones, and industrial robots that can perform tasks
with minimal human intervention. The integration of AI with robotics has
transformed industries and created new possibilities.
Healthcare and Medicine
AI has shown potential to enhance medical diagnosis, drug discovery, image
analysis, and personalized treatment plans, improving patient outcomes and
reducing healthcare costs. These applications have driven interest and invest-
ment in AI for healthcare.
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Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
AI holds immense potential for bolstering sustainability initiatives through its
capacity to optimize energy usage resource allocation and tackle environmen-
tal issues head-on. By leveraging AI technologies, organizations can achieve
more efficient operations while simultaneously contributing to a greener,
more sustainable future.
Global Collaboration and Research
The international AI research community collaborates to share knowledge,
publish findings, build on each other’s work, and drive innovation. This col-
laboration has accelerated progress and innovation in AI. Global initiatives
focus on addressing challenges like ethics, fairness, and safety in AI.
Business and Industry Demand
Industries are adopting AI to improve efficiency, automate tasks, and gain
competitive advantages. From finance to healthcare, AI is transforming the
way businesses operate.
Consumer Demand
The widespread availability of AI-driven consumer products and services,
such as smart assistants and recommendation systems, has ignited a surge in
interest and subsequent adoption of AI technology. These consumer-oriented
AI applications have improved convenience and demystified and popularized
the use of AI in everyday life, making it more accessible to a broader audience.
National Strategies
Numerous countries and governmental bodies have acknowledged the strate-
gic significance of AI. In response, they have not only devised comprehensive
national policies and strategies but have also initiated efforts to foster research,
development, and the integration of AI technologies. Moreover, these entities
have launched specific initiatives geared toward supporting research and
development in AI and initiatives aimed at enhancing education in the field.
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Ethical and Social Concerns
The ascent of AI has ignited conversations around ethical concerns, drawing
attention to issues like bias, transparency, and accountability within AI sys-
tems. This increased emphasis on responsible AI has been instrumental in
driving efforts to create fair and unbiased AI technologies, ensuring that they
benefit society while minimizing potential harm.
Educational Resources
With the proliferation of online courses, tutorials, and educational platforms,
individuals now have convenient access to resources that enable them to learn
about AI and acquire the necessary skills to engage with AI technologies.
These accessible learning opportunities have democratized AI education,
making it possible for a wider range of people to enter the field and contribute
to its advancement.
