The Potential of AI

I’m certain that many of you have heard of Artificial Intelligence. But, what really is it? AI has been featured in many movies, such as Ex Machina and The Terminator series. Typically, these movies depict AI as human-like robots that are completely self-aware and capable of destroying the entire world. In many ways, these depictions fail to properly display artificial intelligence.

 

The Terminator – Photo Credit

 

For one thing, it is extremely difficult to definitively determine what is AI and what is not. The Merriam Webster Dictionary provides a very simple and broad definition of artificial intelligence, stating that it is “a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behavior in computers.” Falling under this umbrella is anything that we, as humans, define as an intelligent. This status is reserved for software that is extremely clever, even human-like. As you can see, this leaves a lot of room for interpretation.

 

In an attempt to categorize the many types of artificial intelligence, they can be categorized as either Weak or Strong AI. Weak AI is also known as Narrow AI. This is because it focuses on a single task and is developed to a point in which it can perform this task better than humans. When combined with many other Weak AI systems, Strong AI can be created. This second category of AI refers to the systems that are usually depicted in the movies. Strong AI refers to machines being able to think and perform tasks on their own, similar to a human. For example, it would be able to complete a task of your selection which it has not been trained to complete. It would behave and learn in a way that is similar to a human. It would continue learning to complete tasks, but it is unknown whether anything that is truly self-aware can be created.  So, I wouldn’t worry about computers taking over the world just yet.

 

Strong vs Weak AI – Photo Credit

 

At this point in time, there is no real example of strong AI. However, there are already many examples of Narrow AI. These systems are only developed to complete single tasks and are already being integrated with society. Because they are task oriented, they cannot cause any harm on their own. One way of thinking of it would be that Weak AI is just better software. Instead of just creating a program that completes a certain task the same way every time and continues to perform at the same level for the entirety of its existence, Weak AI can be used to create a system that will continue to improve. This is because the Narrow AI is set up to receive feedback based on its performance and continue to improve as it encounters more practice. It cannot develop new functions, just improve.

 

As mentioned earlier, this type of AI is already being integrated within society. Because of the way it is set up, it can perform certain tasks much better than humans and continue to get better with more experience.  You might think that his would only work in certain areas, but its applications are virtually limitless. From chatbots to facial recognition, AI is set to help humanity perform certain tasks that it wouldn’t be able to do on its own. There is no saying what AI will accomplish, but I can say with complete confidence that its impact will be momentous.

 

Potential Economic Impact – Photo Credit