In basic terms, artificial intelligence is a broad area of computer science that makes machines seem like they have human intelligence. A computer program/AI that adheres to traffic regulations and operates a vehicle, but lacks the ability to display emotions akin to those of a human driver, cannot be considered true artificial intelligence. On the other hand, true artificial intelligence not only replicates human intelligence but also exhibits emotions that are comparable to those displayed by humans.
These days everyone is talking about artificial intelligence but artificial intelligence is not something new; it has a long history that goes back to the 1950s. For over half a century, people and scientists alike have been exploring and developing the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
The term “artificial intelligence” was first introduced in 1954 by Dartmouth Professor John McCarthy, who brought together a group of scientists and mathematicians to determine if a machine could learn and develop formal reasoning through trial and error, much like a young child.
In his project proposal, Professor McCarthy aimed to discover how to make machines use language, form abstractions, and concepts, solve problems that are currently only solvable by humans, and even improve themselves. This pioneering work happened almost 70 years ago, which was far ahead of its time and has laid the foundation for future generations of intellectuals and scientists.
The use and mention of artificial intelligence have been mostly confined to secret labs, movies, and classrooms for the last few decades, but now AI is everywhere. In recent years, the world has witnessed a remarkable evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) from being a niche technology to becoming a global phenomenon. This has been fueled by several factors, including:
1. An overwhelming generation of data, with more than 90% created just in the past few years, provides vast resources for AI systems to learn from.
2. Advances in computing power and processing speed have enabled computers to analyze and interpret the massive amounts of data available on the internet with greater speed and accuracy.
3. Recognizing the immense potential of AI, investors, and entrepreneurs have made substantial investments in AI-powered products. A prime example of this is the billions of dollars in funding donated to OpenAI LP by tech giants like Microsoft and other prominent investors.
Thanks to these factors, AI and machine learning have experienced tremendous growth. The artificial intelligence of the future will be less artificial and more intelligent, and we won’t be able to differentiate between human and machine intelligence unless we tell them to do something complex.
Rise of Artificial intelligence
In 1950 Alan Turing proposed the Turing test which was way ahead of its time. It was about “Can machines think like humans?” And if so, can their intelligence be distinguished from ours? In the same year Isaac Asimov. proposed three laws of robotics. In 1951 the first AI-based program was written by Ferranti Mark. It can play checkers at a reasonably good speed. At MIT, a lab was established in 1959 to advance AI research. In 1961 the first robot was used for assembling cars in the GM factory. In 1965 the world saw ELIZA, an AI program that can chat with humans. At Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab the first autonomous vehicle was created in 1974. In 1995, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University tested the capabilities of their self-driving car, NavLab 5, embarking on a successful journey covering 2,797 miles on the road. In 997 IBM’s Deep Blue IBM chess computer beat the chess grandmaster Garry Kaspablue. In 1999 sony introduced Aibo, a robotic dog to the world. In 2009 google started building self-driving cars. In 2011 IBM Watson beat the best jeopardy champions. Siri, Cortana, and Google Now became mainstream in the same year. And 2015 Elon musk and other entrepreneurs and investors announced donating money to Open AI. In 2016 AlphaGo Google’s Deep mind program beat the Korean Go champion.
The advancements in Artificial Intelligence over the past few decades have been remarkable, showcasing the exponential growth in this field. The following are some examples of advancements in the field.
Chatbots are text-based and rely on pre-programmed responses to answer questions. They have limited capabilities, as they can only provide answers based on the data they have been programmed with. When posed with a question outside of their programming, chatbots can’t provide an accurate response and may become confused.
The advent of Natural Language Processing has elevated the sophistication of chatbots, allowing them to efficiently convert voice-based questions into text and retrieve answers from search engines while presenting them in human-like syntax. Examples of such advanced chatbots include Siri, Cortana, and Alexa.
AI and ML power Chatbot
ChatGPT is a cutting-edge AI language model that will launch and become powerful in 2023. Utilizing advanced AI and machine learning, ChatGPT can effortlessly provide answers to even the most complex questions. With its ability to scour the vast expanse of the internet, it delivers accurate information in a clear, concise manner. Beyond answering questions, ChatGPT has proven itself to be a versatile tool, excelling in tasks such as script writing, coding, text translation, and much more.
It is evident from the above examples that the way chatbots interact with humans has changed greatly over the last decade. From Google Gmail or browsers to Microsoft applications that we use in our everyday lives, AI is everywhere. We have come a long way from thought experiments on AI to real-life AI applications.
Machine learning: Hippocampus and cerebrum of an AI
As humans, we continuously grow and evolve through our experiences, mistakes, and lessons. Our brain, specifically the Hippocampus, stores all of this information, allowing us to make informed decisions based on our past memories and knowledge we acquired throughout our lifetime. This natural process of learning and growth results in us becoming more sophisticated and intelligent versions of ourselves. The ability to make informed decisions is a hallmark of intelligence, which is derived from our capacity to learn from experiences and retain relevant memories, both positive and negative, in our minds.
We can’t call anything intelligent if they can’t learn anything from their current and past actions and use their knowledge in the right way. Machine learning is a fascinating aspect of AI that enables AI technology to continuously improve and evolve through learning from its experiences and retaining acquired knowledge over time. But unlike humans, things that AI has learned are not susceptible to things like short-term memory loss, sleep deprivation, information overload, distractions, or disease like Alzheimer’s. While still in its early stages of development, machine learning, like AI, is advancing rapidly with daily improvements.
Scepticism about AI
Currently, we do not have any tool that we can call true AI but we are moving toward the possibility. In movies, AI or robots with human-like consciences are portrayed as evil from HAL 9000 in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, Ava in the movie Ex Machina, Skynet in Terminator, AI robots in Matrix, or Superman’s antagonist Brainiac.
“What we don’t understand, we fear. What we fear, we judge as evil. What we judge as evil, we attempt to control. And what we cannot control…we attack.”
While the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have been remarkable, there is still a widespread lack of understanding about its capabilities and limitations. This lack of understanding has led to fear and doubt among some individuals, who see AI as a negative force, like a “Frankenstein monster” that may end up turning against its creator. Even influential figures like Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, have warned about the dangers of AI, famously stating that it could be “far more dangerous than nukes.” However, it’s important to remember that AI is a tool, and like any tool, its impact will be determined by how it is used.
It’s too soon to draw conclusions about the impact of Artificial Intelligence on our lives. However, the idea of creating a digital mind that can think and potentially surpass human intelligence is incredibly intriguing. Despite this, there are valid concerns about AI taking over jobs and disrupting industries. But instead of dwelling on these fears, it’s important to look at the potential benefits AI brings to our lives. AI can automate routine tasks, freeing us to focus on more important work. It has the potential to make our lives easier, faster, and more efficient. Rather than fearing AI, let’s embrace its advancements and explore the limitless possibilities it holds for the future.
From the Turing test to ChatGPT, we have made tremendous progress in the field of AI. The potential of Artificial Intelligence is vast and limitless, and as long as we responsibly and ethically develop it, there is no need to fear its power. In the future, AI can aid us in solving complex problems, discovering new frontiers, exploring distant planets and galaxies, and much more. We should embrace AI, rather than fear it. While it’s somewhat true that there are potential dangers associated with artificial intelligence, it’s important to focus on the opportunities it presents. We can unlock new frontiers for human advancement by creating digital consciousness that transcends artificiality.
Despite the inherent uncertainties and risks that each day presents, we rise each morning, ready to undertake productive endeavours. Some of us even undertake actions that have the potential to make a significant difference in the world. However, if we were to give into the notion that life is too risky and allow fear to keep us confined to our beds, we would be unable to accomplish anything meaningful in our lives. Instead of focusing on the negative connotations often associated with AI, it is crucial that we recognize and embrace the numerous benefits that AI offers.