What is Artificial Intelligence?

In recent times, AI (artificial intelligence) is a breakthrough technology. Apart from science fiction, AI is becoming an increasingly popular and common sight in today’s world. With the combination of the latest powerful software and top range hardware, artificial intelligence tools are being utilized to transform several areas of everyday life, which range from healthcare to road safety.

It is worth mentioning that this most innovative and interesting technology ruling the world presently and has a great future in the upcoming years.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

In the past years, it was strongly believed that computers would never become more powerful than the human brain. However, with the development of technology in modern times, it is proven that human brains are not as powerful as computers. The best example of this case is artificial intelligence.

This concept indicates the computing hardware being able to think for itself and then make a decision according to the data/information it is being fed.

In simple words, AI is the simulation of the human intelligence processes by machines, particularly computers. Some of these processes are learning, self-correction, and reasoning.

Read More:  Features of Artificial Intelligence

Of course, AI is not real because it is simulated. It is a subfield of computer science, which simulated software and machines to copy human cognitive functions.

This results in the production of machinery, which observes, analyzes, and outputs data similar to the human brain. Continue reading to know about the brief history of AI, which highlights how the concept has grown tremendously in the recent years

A brief history of Artificial Intelligence (History of AI since 100 years)

One of the interesting and mesmerizing facts about AI is that it has been started as early as the 4th century B.C. This means digitizing is not a new concept in modern times, which has been slowly transforming for many years to reach its fullest.

As per Greek mythology, the blacksmith named Hephaestus manufactured the mechanical servants to aid him out with all his work. Over time, plenty of toys and models were constructed using the same principles. The best examples of such models are the syllogistic logic model (Aristotle) and Archytas of Tarentum.

Rossum’s Universal Robots (1920)

In 1920, Karel Capek who is a Czech writer wrote and directed a science fiction play. The concept of the robot called R.U.R (Rossum’s Universal Robots) has been introduced in this play.

Throughout the play, it depicted the artificial people who are quite similar to clones in the recent age. In fact, this rendered researchers a great idea about AI and robotics. After that, it threw light on the significance of artificial intelligence in society and research.

Alan Turing machine (1935)

One of the renowned scientists, Alan Turing introduced the model known as a Turing machine.  This abstract machine develops the logic of any given algorithm.

This machine holds a special position in the field of computer science so far. The introduction of the popular Turing test happened after World War II. This test was created to find the intelligence of the machine. During the test, one machine and one person were used.

Through the natural language, both person and machine would communicate. In case, another person who is overhearing the conversation finds it hard to distinguish between the machine and the person normally, the machine is then said to be intelligent.

Dartmouth Conference (1956)

The American computer scientist, John McCarthy coined AI in 1956 at the Dartmouth Conference where the discipline was actually born. Currently, it is the universal term, which incorporated everything from actual robotics and robotic process automation.

Dartmouth conference is the first recorded AI workshop in which researchers from CMU, MIT, and IBM met together and shared stunning ideas related to the concept. Based on them, developing the artificially intelligent machine will reduce the time and effort of the work to be done by the human significantly.

First AI winter (the early 1970s)

Because of the lack of enthusiasm and funding by the British and US governments, research in artificial intelligence reduced significantly in the subsequent years. As a result, the AI concept was neglected in the early 1970s. Additionally, the interest of publicity on AI was decreased gradually, which was around 1974.

Expert systems

After the introduction of AI winter, expert systems were launched. These systems are programs related to a certain domain, which solves and answers all the problems posted to it.

Hence, they copy the expert in a certain domain and then fix the posed issue based on certain rules. This program utilized a knowledge engine, which represented rules and facts regarding a particular topic whereas the inference engine applied these facts to the new facts.

Synthesis of Integral design (1981)

The expert system named Synthesis of Integral Design (SID) was introduced in 1981. The system designed 93percent of VAX9000 CPU logic gates and existing out of thousand hand-written rules. It took three hours to complete the final design of the CPU to calculate and outperform in several ways like human experts.

Second AI Winter

In a short period, AI research suffered again because of a lack of funding in the later 80s and early 90s. The fall of hardware companies who suffered via desktop computers built by IBM and Apple and expert systems led to decreasing AI interest again.

21^st century

After several ups and downs, Deep Blue (the first chess computer) was introduced. In the 21st century, AI saw a huge growth of development, which extended up to deep learning, big data analysis, and machine learning. The research is in full swing now as the world is going to be completely digitized. Significant research is kept on going to improve every aspect of human life.

Applications of Artificial Intelligence

With the technological advancements, human has started learning the way to communicate directly with machines. Successfully, people are directing devices to perform some tasks with the help of their intelligence.

Currently, machines are doing several smarter activities using cognitive intelligence contrary to natural intelligence, which is displayed by humans and animals.

The rapid growth and benefits made AI utilized in several sectors and it has opened the big doors of AI implementation in several other emerging sectors.

Some of the few live examples of artificial intelligence implementation are chatbots, self-driving cars, image processing, and robotics. Still, AI is creating a big impact and it becomes a part of human life in the future.

Take a quick rundown at the applications of AI in the topmost sectors, which incorporate a lot of country economies and improvement of human life.

Construction

Without any doubt, AI implementation will be advantageous for the construction sector in many ways. AI-based applications have been used widely in this sector because it suggests ideal designs for buildings as well as recommend better safety measures to make people love more secure.

Additionally, it is extremely helpful in risk mitigation since AI-based machine understands complex language easily and fix the problems in stipulated time. It makes the engineers more productive and makes them deliver high-quality work quickly.

Sports

Implementation of AI in the sports industry is definitely a game-changer, which going to transform the sports world soon. The use of advanced technology make sports more interesting and aid players to go beyond their capacity to practice and then produce the best out of them.

Due to significant capabilities, a huge demand for AI-based applications has been raised in the sports industry.  In fact, it is going to solve several major changes in the world of sports and bring true competition among the players.

Astronomy

Astronomy is the subject in which people look at the sky and determine the answer regarding complex issues.  Until now, science is the most advanced of some sort and scientists are at their best to offer a proper answer to each question related to the universe.

However, there are certain limitations in getting an answer to your questions. With the AI implementation, you could cross the limitations and get some useful tips to understand your own origin.

Healthcare

AI also does its wonder in the healthcare sector, which is surely bliss for society because it will ease all the challenges. Using AI-based tools, reaching the proper conclusion by understanding medical data without direct human input will become easier.

These applications can be applied in treatment protocol development, diagnosis processes, patient monitoring and care, drug development, etc.

Education

One of the most important and huge sectors, which touch everyone’s life irrespective of age is education. AI-based application is useful for students and teachers in many ways at different levels.

Typically, it makes the education system smarter than ever before. Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are creating an appropriate blend of the learning ecosystems, which are equipped by 21st-century classrooms to deliver a high-end learning environment for students.

Besides these sectors, AI implementation is much helpful in agriculture, entertainment, banking, marketing, eCommerce, and others.

Overall, artificial intelligence is making human life smarter and simpler than ever before. It assists companies to improve their productivity and offer the best service to their customers.