What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Artificial Intelligence (aka AI),  will have a deep impact on our lives – both positive and negative.  Like any other tool or technology, a lot depends on how we use it.  I often get asked these questions:

  • What is AI?
  • What is good about it?
  • Will it destroy jobs?
  • Will it take over humanity?
  • What do we need to do to leverage AI?

AI traditionally refers to an artificial creation of human-like intelligence that can learn, reason, plan, perceive, or process natural language. These traits allow AI to bring immense socioeconomic opportunities, while also posing ethical and socio-economic challenges.

Right now the opportunities are in research, technology development, skill development and business application development.

The technologies that power AI – neural networks, Bayesian Probability, Statistical Machine Learning have been around for several decades (some as old as the late 50’s). The availability of Big Data is bringing AI applications to life.

There are concerns about misuse of AI and a worry that it may result in uncontrolled proliferation, killing jobs in its wake. Other worries include unethical uses, unintended biases, and other problems. It is too early to take one side or the other.

Please take a look at Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning:  Policy Paper. It looks at AI from a variety of lenses.