What is artificial intelligence?

In 1872 Samuel Butler's Erewhon was published: and thus, the idea that robots can develop a human-like consciousness was introduced to the world. This artificial consciousness or self-awareness is part of another subject, the artificial intelligence and its representation in fiction often consist of a machine with cognitive capacities far beyond those of the average human, or at least as necessary. Are we close to creating machines that emulate the human mind and cognitive capacities?

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Alan M. Turing

In 1950, after his crucial role in cryptanalysis during World War II, Alan Turing, called the father of artificial intelligence, asks, "Can machines think?" in his seminal work Computing Machinery and Intelligence. Although this is not a definition, Turing created the famous Turing test in which an interrogator has to distinguish a human text response from a robot text response.

Stuart Russel and Peter Norvig

Russel and Norvig define A.I. as "the study of agents that receive precepts from the environment and perform actions" and in their textbook, they divide it into four categories:

• Thinking like humans.
• Reacting like humans.
• Thinking rationally.
• Reacting rationally.

What are Deep Learning and Machine Learning?

Deep Learning and Machine Learning are two other concepts strongly related to A.I. In Machine learning, the study of computer algorithms is automatically improved by experience and use of data. On the other hand, Deep Learning refers to a method of Machine Learning with at least three layers and results in a lesser human intervention and larger data sets.

Artificial neural networks, computing systems inspired by the biological animal brain, are used in both deep learning and machine learning. The first computer based on neural networks was Mark 1 Perceptron, created by Frank Rosenblatt in 1967. Their use was widely adopted in the 1980s.

What's the difference between weak and strong A.I.?

There are two big types of A.I.: weak and strong.

The weak A.I. is also known as narrow A.I. or Artificial Narrow Intelligence (A.N.I.). This narrow A.I. is designed to perform specific tasks and is the type of A.I. that surrounds us everywhere today.

Conversely, Strong A.I. refers to Artificial General Intelligence (A.G.I.) and Artificial Super Intelligence (A.S.I.). As you probably can imagine, this is the type of A.I. that can be found in fiction works - a machine that is not only intelligent but also self-aware, at least equal to human intelligence. However, this is only a theoretical concept - or at least, for now.

What are the top applications of A.I.?

Here are some of the most common applications of A.I., and more specifically, of A.N.I.:

• Robotics.
• Health care (for example, to classify evaluations).
• Finance (detect charges outside the norm).
• Cybersecurity.
• Transportations: cars, planes, ships, among others.

Should we fear a strong AI?

How close are we, humans, to creating a perfect imitation of the human mind? Should we fear a strong A.I. rebellion in the coming years?

To answer this question, it is essential to understand that the science of strong A.I. is a crossfield science where engineering, computer science, neuroscience, and psychology, among others, meet. To recreate human intelligence or the human mind, we must define it precisely. However, for now, this is not the case: even the science-based IQ tests (WPPSI, WISC, and WAIS) can only measure a part of our cognitive abilities.

Consciousness is another aspect that lacks a precise definition and is mainly defined by what our consciousness is not. The Theory of mind, that is, the ability to understand and consider the behavior, thoughts, and emotions of others, is another challenge for A.I. science. In addition, it is also important to note that the mind and how it functions are shaped through life depending on our individual experiences.

Those are only a few problems that strong A.I. science has yet to overcome. For now, it seems that it follows Gartner’s hype cycle, which is “a typical progression of innovation, from overenthusiasm through a period of disillusionment to an eventual understanding of the innovation’s relevance and role in a market or domain.” And this sounds somewhat positive for all the A.I. enthusiasts, doesn’t it?