What is artificial intelligence? | Habefast
Today, artificial intelligence is no longer science fiction, it is part of our daily reality. But how to define it?
Artificial intelligence, definition
Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science that aims at implementing a process of imitation of human intelligence or more precisely of the human brain. To do this, AI creators develop and use algorithms in a dynamic computing environment to make computers think and act like human beings.
In short, AI mimics the workings of human neural networks to implement a machine learning operation made possible by a learning algorithm.
A brief history of AI
The concept appeared in the 1950s when several thinkers such as Alan Turing and Marvin Lee Minsky questioned the ability of a machine to think. Then, it was not until the 1980’s and the considerable progress in the computing power of computers and the development of algorithms that we could really talk about artificial intelligence. Since then, there has been a lot of progress, since large groups, such as Big Data for example, are financing research programs dedicated to AI.
The uses of AI
AI is used in many fields and in many sectors of activity, not to say all. Indeed, we are confronted with it or we use it every day. Online searches, spam filters, facial or voice recognition, but also with the Internet of Things, drones … As many daily uses as professional uses, especially in medicine or in scientific jobs in general.
Discover our article on machine learning and deep learning to learn more about how artificial intelligence works.
The dangers of AI
According to a 2017 European Union study, 61% of Europeans have a favorable opinion of AI and robots, but 88% think these technologies should be handled with caution. Indeed, many believe that artificial intelligence is an unprecedented opportunity that leads to great developments and progress but lacks by its novelty of supervision and will be brought, see, which already poses philosophical or ethical concerns.
