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What Is Artificial Intelligence and How Does It Work?

Sooner or later, almost every technology is expected to go “artificial.” In the past couple of years, this has happened to almost every computing and software development area. We now have artificial intelligence (AI), artificial intelligence algorithms, artificial agents, and even something called artificial neural nets. It seems like everything is becoming artificial. But what exactly is AI? And how does it work? If you read a lot about technology, you might think that AI is a buzzword everyone wants to use in their company name. But it’s not just a marketing fad – AI stands for Artificial Intelligence and refers to computer programs that simulate human thinking processes. How does it work? Let’s take a look.

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence is the science of building computers that can reason like humans. More specifically, AI is any computer program that can perform tasks that would require human intelligence to complete. In other words, AI is any computer program that can act intelligently. And how can we achieve this? Well, we can break down the process into three steps:

1. Understanding what humans want.
2. Understanding what computers are capable of.
3. Combining the two creates a computer program that can do what we want.

Let’s now look at how AI systems work in more detail... AI algorithms can be broken into two main categories: machine learning and robotics and computer vision. Machine learning is software that “learns” how to complete a task by analyzing many examples and finding patterns. On the other hand, robotics and computer vision use specialized algorithms to process visual and audio input and make decisions and judgments based on that data.

AI Algorithms: Machine Learning

Machine learning algorithms are “data-driven” and “human-guided.” What does that mean? It means that these algorithms are programmed to discover patterns in data and then use those patterns to complete a task. The computer program will “learn” how to do something by analyzing many examples and finding ways and relationships. For example, an image recognition algorithm might analyze thousands of pictures of cats and dogs and then use what it learned to identify other pictures of cats and dogs. In this way, machine learning algorithms can “automatically” complete tasks that would require human intelligence. This is why AI is sometimes called machine intelligence. For example, if you’ve ever Googled an image to see what it is (you know, when you forgot what you saw in your Feed and want to identify it), you’ve used machine learning algorithms. Google’s Vision API can determine what’s in an image and tell you what it is. It uses machine learning algorithms that analyze the image and find patterns. Machine learning can be applied to various tasks, including computer translation, stock trading, fraud detection, and speech recognition.

AI Algorithms: Robotics and Computer Vision

Robotics and computer vision algorithms are “vision-based” and “goal-based.” They are programmed to complete a specific task based on visual or audio input. For example, a computer vision algorithm might be programmed to identify a Pokémon in a hallway (using its camera) and then autonomously chase it. Robotics and computer vision use specialized algorithms to process visual and audio input and make decisions and judgments based on that data. For example, a computer vision algorithm might use a live camera feed to identify what is in the corridor and then decide based on what it sees. A robotics algorithm might use a microphone to identify what sound is coming from the hallway and then choose based on that sound.

AI Agents

An AI agent is a computer program that can act on your behalf. It doesn’t just complete a task – it does something for you. Many types of AI agents exist, including computer assistants, autonomous agents, and digital assistants. A computer assistant is an AI agent that completes specific tasks for you. For example, an assistant may complete tasks like scheduling meetings, processing emails, and responding to customer support inquiries. An autonomous agent is an AI agent that can make its own decisions and take its actions without any human guidance. In the future, independent agents will be used for tasks like driving cars, managing cybersecurity risks, and making financial decisions. Finally, a digital assistant is an AI agent that can complete tasks and respond to your spoken commands. For example, you’ve probably used a digital assistant like Amazon’s Alexa or Apple’s Siri to set alarms, play music, or check the weather.

The Road to Truly Intelligent Machines

Artificial intelligence is a process that involves understanding what humans want, understanding what computers are capable of, and combining the two to create a computer program that can do what we want it to do. In the past few decades, AI algorithms have been applied to thousands of tasks. These algorithms have become incredibly sophisticated, and researchers have now turned their attention to one final frontier: creating intelligent machines. Of course, there are many definitions of what smart devices would look like. But one thing is sure: creating truly intelligent machines will require new algorithms and breakthroughs. And it could take decades to achieve.

Bottom line

Artificial intelligence is the science of building computers that can reason like humans. It can be broken into two main categories: machine learning and robotics, and computer vision. Machine learning algorithms are “data-driven” and “human-guided.” They use patterns found in data to complete tasks. Robotics and computer vision algorithms are “vision-based” and “goal-based.” They use visual and audio input to complete a task. An AI agent is an AI computer program that can act on your behalf. Creating brilliant machines will require new algorithms and breakthroughs.

Disclaimer: This article's content is only offered for educational reasons; it does not constitute investment advice and is simply the author's opinion. Doing so acknowledges that the information is not intended to serve as investment advice or financial guidance. Before making any investment decisions, be sure to do your research and consult with financial professionals.