The idea is that computers will become increasingly smarter and learn to perform the tasks of humans in a way that doesn’t feel like you’re interacting with a computer.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is us giving machines human-like cognitive processing (cognition is the process of acquiring knowledge through thoughts and experiences). Computers are taught by observing and learning to track patterns in human behavior.
Computers are actively being designed for speech recognition, environment-based learning, rules-based learning, and problem solving.
How does this happen?
Artificial intelligence is developed when algorithms (an algorithm is a set of rules that a computer follows when performing calculations or problem solving in order to produce requested data), process data that they’re exposed to. A computer uses an algorithm to “discover patterns and generate insights, a process that sidesteps the need to be programmed specifically for every single possible action.”(Futurism.com)
What is AI used for? Do I experience it?
While artificial intelligence is still in the early days of development (relative to what it could potentially achieve), today AI is used in voice recognition (Siri & Alexa), suggestive searches (Google), autonomously-powered self-driving cars (Tesla), customer support, predictive e-commerce (Amazon suggests items it knows we want or need), predictive entertainment (Netflix analyzes our binge-style and reactions in order to determine what kind of content to create and suggest to us), and predictive home (Nest learns from our patterns of behavior at home; our heating and cooling needs, and moderates the thermostat accordingly). Certainly there are many, many applications for the technology, but these are some of the applications that we encounter daily.
Is this good? Will computers become smarter than us?
Yes and no. I think there are a lot of ways that AI can help us. Medical diagnosis is a field that could benefit tremendously from predictive technology; patterns could detect symptoms that a human may overlook. Forecasting in business, the markets, or politics, are other interesting use cases. The application of AI in e-commerce makes life more convenient, but is a pretty easy win for the tech.
Humans aren’t rational. While I think AI will get extraordinarily close to mimicking human cognition, I don’t think we will ever experience a time where robots can fully replace humans – even in driving. Humans, while logical, are fueled by emotion and that is an impossible thing to plan for. So while I don’t think computers will be able to equal us in behavior, I do think that computers could develop an edge over humans because they can operate without the friction of emotion. This could make them more productive and thus more relied on by business owners. We’re already seeing AI replace jobs. But, with every new technological development comes a need for human assistance and the creation of new roles.
So, yes. AI could spell trouble for a lot of us. There’s no way around that – there is a great deal of money and energy being poured into the development of the technology. It’s happening and now we’re along for the ride.
Why do we need artificial intelligence?
It allows us to automate time intensive human work, and if we save time, we save money. I’m not certain that we actually need it, but artificial intelligence makes life more convenient for consumers, and helps companies encourage more purchasing from consumers. So, it underscores capitalism. You be the judge of whether that sounds good.
Feature pic via House and Garden.
