Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Artificial Intelligence

Definition

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.

Why It Matters

AI is transforming industries by automating tasks, providing insights from data, and enabling new capabilities that were once in the realm of science fiction, from self-driving cars to medical diagnosis.

Contextual Example

Virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa use AI to understand spoken language, answer questions, and perform tasks. Recommendation engines on platforms like Netflix and Spotify use AI to suggest content you might like.

Common Misunderstandings

  • AI is not a single technology, but a broad field encompassing many subfields like machine learning and deep learning.
  • Current AI is "narrow AI" (designed for specific tasks), not "general AI" (human-like consciousness), which remains theoretical.

Related Terms

Last Updated: December 17, 2025