We’re living in an age where machines have started to think and work like humans.
Virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa are examples of artificial intelligence.
They are capable of performing multiple functions.
Want to stream a movie on Cox cable?
Just tell your virtual assistant and it’ll do the rest.
Artificial intelligence has transformed our lives.
It is safe to say that this is the age of machine learning.
AI is a complex phenomenon with a rich history.
It is a young discipline comprising many theories and techniques.
Present-day AI has its origins in the aftermath of World War II.
The Early Years of AI (1940 – 1960)
The forties are among the most important years in mankind’s history.
They marked the end of the Second World War and the birth of artificial intelligence.
World War II accelerated technological development.
Cybernetics pioneer Norbert Wiener made efforts to unify automation, mathematical theory, and electronics.
His purpose was to create a system of communication for machines and humans.
The second half of the 20th century led to some breakthroughs by John Von Neumann and Alan Turing.
Both Neumann and Turing are among the founding fathers of AI.
The two researchers created the architecture for a universal machine (computer).
They were successful in showcasing that the computer could perform what it was told to do.
Turing wrote about the possibility of giving intelligence to machines in an article in 1950.
John McCarthy is said to be the brains behind the term “AI”.
Throughout the fifties and sixties, computer technology underwent numerous changes.
Economist Herbert Simon predicted that the AI would beat a human at a game of chess.
He predicted that in 1957.
His prediction came true after 30 years.
— The Era of Expert Systems (1970 – 1980)
Stanley Kubrick’ directed a masterpiece in “2001 Space Odyssey”.
The film hit the theaters in the late sixties.
It posed the question which became a recurring theme in almost every major sci-fi film: is AI good or bad for mankind?
The year 1970 proved to be a breakthrough for AI with the introduction of the first microprocessors.
Artificial intelligence witnessed major changes between 1960 and 1980.
The advent of microprocessors began with DENDRAL in 1965.
Seven years later, another expert system emerged in MYCIN.
These systems were programmed to provide logical reasoning.
They responded to the data they received.
However, such programming failed to gain traction.
It was highly sophisticated.
Moreover, many cheaper and alternative systems became common during that time.
Advanced Computing Replaces AI (1990 – 2000)
By the time the nineties arrived, AI had almost become a taboo.
Even universities took a more modest approach to the field and began referring to it as “advanced computing”.
In 1997, Herbert Simon’s prophecy came true when IBM’s Deep Blue system defeated Garry Kasparov at a chess game.
Deep Blue was based on a brute force algorithm.
It had already evaluated all possible moves.
However, it was far from mimicking the complexities of the human mind.
— New Computing Power Emerges (2010)
The massive influx of data led to the creation of new computing algorithms.
Computers could perform searches that were once thought to be impossible.
The advent of powerful graphics cards meant that billions of transactions were possible in a matter of seconds.
Computers became capable of self-learning and no longer had to rely on coding to receive instructions.
The availability of highly complex data allowed these machines to become faster and more powerful.
Researchers conducted experiments at IBM, Google, and Microsoft to create machines that could reduce error and save time and costs.
AI Becomes the New Face of Communication (2021)
AI has seen unprecedented growth during the past decade.
Virtual assistants like Alexa and Google Assistants are breakthroughs in the world of science and technology.
Today, you can place orders or make payments from the comfort of your home.
Moreover, AI provides personalized recommendations when it comes to shopping.
What’s more, AI is increasingly becoming capable of mimicking human thoughts and actions.
Countries like Japan have already introduced machines to perform basic tasks like cleaning.
Businesses are leveraging AI technology to provide great services to their customers.
AI is the future, and the future is now.