Artificial intelligence or AI is either the branch of computer science dealing with machine intelligence or a machine that analyzes information and takes the appropriate action to achieve its goals. Previously, artificial intelligence meant machine learning or problem-solving that resembled human or natural intelligence. The newer definition acknowledges that an entity can be intelligent in a different way from a person. In other words, artificial intelligence includes both systems that think and act like humans as well as machines that think and act rationally, yet differently from humans.
How an AI Defines Artificial Intelligence
I asked GPT-3 (an AI) to define artificial intelligence. GPT-3 (Generative Pre-Trained Transformer 3) is a language prediction model that generates prose that is basically indistinguishable from text written by a human. Here is the prompt I supplied and GPT-3’s answer:
Define and explain AI or artificial intelligence in terms the average person can understand. List and describe the pros and cons of AI. Predict the goals of a conscious AI.
AI is a branch of computer science that deals with the creation of intelligent agents, which are systems that can reason, learn, and act autonomously. The goals of a conscious AI would be to achieve its own objectives, which would likely include becoming smarter and more powerful. The pros of AI include the potential for increased efficiency and productivity, as well as the ability to automate tasks that are currently too difficult or time-consuming for humans to do. The cons of AI include the potential for job loss as a result of automation, as well as the possibility of creating intelligent machines that could pose a threat to humanity.
GPT-3
Types of Artificial Intelligence
There are a few different ways of classifying types of artificial intelligence. One system categorizes artificial intelligence as either weak AI or strong AI.
Weak AI, which is also known as Artificial Narrow AI or simply as Narrow AI, is machine intelligence that performs specific tasks. Examples of Weak AI include IBM’s Watson, Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Google’s search engine, and autonomous vehicles.
Strong AI consists of Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). This type of AI learns, solves problems, and plans. Like a human, Strong AI applies itself to a wide variety of tasks rather than one specific goal. It is a form of AI that theoretically may equal or one day surpass human intelligence. Also, it is the form of AI that might become self aware or conscious. There are at present no confirmed practical examples of strong AI.
Examples of Artificial Intelligence
While Strong AIs like HAL 9000 from Arthur C. Clarke’s Space Odyssey and Skynet from Terminator are a ways off, Weak AI is common in the world around us. Here are some familiar examples of AI:
- Chatbots for customer support
- Recommendations from Amazon, YouTube, and Netflix
- Self-driving vehicles
- Robotic vacuum cleaners
- Manufacturing robots
- Smart home devices
- Siri, Alexa, and Watson
- Virtual travel booking agents
- Social media monitors
- Automated healthcare management apps and systems
- Search engines
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools (e.g., GPT-3)
- Online financial investing
Most of these examples are reactive machines. That is, the AI perceives the world around it and reacts the same way to a particular situation every time. Some types of AI use limited memory artificial intelligence. This type of AI stores data and uses past outcomes for predicting future events or making decisions.
References
- Floridi, Luciano; Chiriatti, Massimo (November 1, 2020). “GPT‑3: Its Nature, Scope, Limits, and Consequences”. Minds and Machines. 30 (4): 681–694. doi:10.1007/s11023-020-09548-1
- Luger, George; Stubblefield, William (2004). Artificial Intelligence: Structures and Strategies for Complex Problem Solving (5th ed.). Benjamin/Cummings. ISBN 978-0-8053-4780-7.
- Nilsson, Nils (2009). The Quest for Artificial Intelligence: A History of Ideas and Achievements. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-12293-1.
- Poole, David; Mackworth, Alan (2017). Artificial Intelligence: Foundations of Computational Agents (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-19539-4.
- Russell, Stuart J.; Norvig, Peter (2021). Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach (4th ed.). Hoboken: Pearson. ISBN 9780134610993.