Introduction to

Artificial Intelligence
What is artificial intelligence?
• Artificial intelligence (AI) is the theory and development of
computer systems capable of performing tasks that historically
required human intelligence, such as recognizing speech, making
decisions, and identifying patterns.
• AI is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide variety of
technologies, including machine learning, deep learning, and
natural language processing (NLP).
• Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems capable of
performing complex tasks that historically only a human could do,
such as reasoning, making decisions, or solving problems.
Artificial intelligence
• Despite the many philosophical disagreements over whether “true”
intelligent machines actually exist, when most people use the term
AI today, they’re referring to a suite of machine learning-powered
technologies,
• such as Chat GPT or computer vision, that enable machines to
perform tasks that previously only humans can do like generating
written content, steering a car, or analyzing data.
Artificial intelligence examples
• Though the humanoid robots often associated with AI (think Star
Trek: The Next Generation’s Data or Terminator’s T-800) don’t exist
yet, you’ve likely interacted with machine learning-powered services
or devices many times before.
• At the simplest level, machine learning uses algorithms trained on
data sets to create machine learning models that allow computer
systems to perform tasks like making song recommendations,
identifying the fastest way to travel to a destination, or translating
text from one language to another.
Artificial intelligence examples (Cont.)
• Some of the most common examples of AI in use today include:
• ChatGPT: Uses large language models (LLMs) to generate
text in response to questions or comments posed to it.
• Google Translate: Uses deep learning algorithms to
translate text from one language to another.
• Netflix: Uses machine learning algorithms to create
personalized recommendation engines for users based on
their previous viewing history.
• Tesla: Uses computer vision to power self-driving
features on their cars.
AI in the workforce
• Artificial intelligence is prevalent across many industries. Automating
tasks that don't require human intervention saves money and time,
and can reduce the risk of human error. Here are a couple of ways AI
could be employed in different industries:
• Finance industry. Fraud detection is a notable use case
for AI in the finance industry. AI's capability to analyze
large amounts of data enables it to detect anomalies or
patterns that signal fraudulent behavior.
• Health care industry. AI-powered robotics could
support surgeries close to highly delicate organs or tissue
to mitigate blood loss or risk of infection.
What is artificial general intelligence
(AGI)?
• Artificial general intelligence (AGI) refers to a theoretical state in
which computer systems will be able to achieve or exceed human
intelligence. In other words, AGI is “true” artificial intelligence as
depicted in countless science fiction novels, television shows,
movies, and comics.
Turing Test
• As for the precise meaning of “AI” itself, researchers don’t quite agree on how
we would recognize “true” artificial general intelligence when it appears.
• However, the most famous approach to identifying whether a machine is
intelligent or not is known as the Turing Test or Imitation Game.
• An experiment that was first outlined by influential mathematician, computer
scientist, and cryptanalyst Alan Turing in a 1950 paper on computer
intelligence.
• There, Turing described a three-player game in which a human “interrogator”
is asked to communicate via text with another human and a machine and judge
who composed each response. If the interrogator cannot reliably identify the
human, then Turing says the machine can be said to be intelligent.
Strong AI vs. Weak AI
• Strong AI is essentially AI that is capable of human-level, general
intelligence. In other words, it’s just another way to say “artificial
general intelligence.”
• Weak AI, meanwhile, refers to the narrow use of widely available
AI technology, like machine learning or deep learning, to perform
very specific tasks, such as playing chess, recommending songs, or
steering cars. Also known as Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI),
weak AI is essentially the kind of AI we use daily.
The 4 Types of AI
• Reactive machines
• Reactive machines are the most basic type of artificial intelligence.
Machines built in this way don’t possess any knowledge of previous
events but instead only “react” to what is before them in a given
moment. As a result, they can only perform certain advanced tasks
within a very narrow scope, such as playing chess, and are incapable
of performing tasks outside of their limited context.
The 4 Types of AI (Cont.)
• Limited memory machines
• Machines with limited memory possess a limited understanding of
past events. They can interact more with the world around them
than reactive machines can. For example, self-driving cars use a
form of limited memory to make turns, observe approaching
vehicles, and adjust their speed. However, machines with only
limited memory cannot form a complete understanding of the world
because their recall of past events is limited and only used in a
narrow band of time.
The 4 Types of AI (Cont.)
• Theory of mind machines
• Machines that possess a “theory of mind” represent an early form of
artificial general intelligence. In addition to being able to create
representations of the world, machines of this type would also have
an understanding of other entities that exist within the world. As of
this moment, this reality has still not materialized.
The 4 Types of AI (Cont.)
• Self-aware machines
• Machines with self-awareness are the theoretically most advanced
type of AI and would possess an understanding of the world, others,
and itself. This is what most people mean when they talk about
achieving AGI. Currently, this is a far-off reality.
AI benefits and dangers
• AI has a range of applications with the potential to transform how
we work and our daily lives. While many of these transformations
are exciting, like self-driving cars, virtual assistants, or wearable
devices in the healthcare industry, they also pose many challenges.
• It’s a complicated picture that often summons competing images: a
utopia for some, a dystopia for others. The reality is likely to be
much more complex.
AI benefits and dangers (Cont.)
Potential Benefits Potential Dangers
Greater accuracy for certain repeatable tasks,
such as assembling vehicles or computers. Job loss due to increased automation.
Decreased operational costs due to greater Potential for bias or discrimination as a result
efficiency of machines. of the data set on which the AI is trained.
Increased personalization within digital
services and products. Possible cybersecurity concerns.
Lack of transparency over how decisions are
Improved decision-making in certain arrived at, resulting in less than optimal
situations. solutions.
Ability to quickly generate new content, such Potential to create misinformation, as well as
as text or images. inadvertently violate laws and regulations.