ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

Artificial intelligence may be simply defined as the intelligence exhibited by machines. This type of intelligence enables these machines or systems to mimic human behavior or intelligence. Human intelligence is a container class of the following impulses; reasoning, learning, problem solving, perception and language intelligence. This impulse enables humans to navigate a complex wave of environments with clear intention of its mission and how to reach its set goals.

Artificial intelligence to achieve its set goals involves a broad range of disciplines, including the following; machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, expert systems and neural network.

Machine learning enables machines to learn from data without explicit or prior programming.

Natural language processing, allows machines to understand, interpret and generate human language.

Computer vision enables machines to interpret and understand visual data from images and video.

Robotics integrates artificial intelligence with physical systems to interact with the environment.

Expert systems mimics’ human decision making using rules based systems.

Neural networks inspired by the human brain processes the complex patterns it receives from is input data and decides the output behavior mechanism to follow or exhibit.

There are many types of artificial intelligence classifications. The two main classifications are as follows; the first classification, narrow or weak AI, strong or general AI and super intelligence AI. The other classification are; reactive machine, unlimited memory, theory of mind and self-aware.

A narrow or weak AI is designed to perform a specific task such as image recognition or language translation.

A strong or general AI aims to match human intelligence and cognitive abilities.

A super intelligence AI significantly surpasses human intelligence.

A reactive machine performs basic operations, such as reacting to an input with an output. These are simple machines and require no learning behavior.

A limited memory machine has the ability to store previous data and/ or predictions using that data to make better predictions.

Theory of mind machines interacts with the thought and emotions of humans.

Self-aware machines intelligences are independent from human interference or control.

There several techniques employed in artificial intelligence, they are; rule based systems, decision trees, genetic algorithms and deep learning.

Rules based systems use predefined rules to make decisions. A decision tree classifies data using a tree like structure or models. While Genetic algorithms optimize solutions using evolutionary principles and deep learning are neural networks with multiple layers for complex pattern recognition.

Whatever the chosen model or models combination, an algorithm is then built after which an efficient computer program is developed to automate the model prior to deployment as artificial intelligence software like Chat GPT or Meta A.I.

These artificial intelligence techniques are used in various applications, such as; virtual assistants ( like Siri, Google assistant or Alexa),image recognition (like facial recognition, self-driving cars and so), health care( for diagnosis, personalize medicine), finance(risk assessment, portfolio management, fraud detection), customer service( chat bots, sentiment analysis), cyber security( threat detection, incident response), education(personalized learning, adaptive assessments), transportation( autonomous vehicles, routes optimization) and so on.

Artificial intelligence benefit to the human society is overwhelming in all spheres of life. It is without doubt that the use of artificial intelligence will result in increased productivity, efficiency, accuracy and enhance decision making at all levels. This will further enable for not only personalized service but also drive innovation across many disciplines and diverse industries.

For now the artificial intelligence challenge are limited to the following; data quality, bias and fairness in decision making, security issues as regards job displacements and ethics.

The future of artificial intelligence calls for the following innovations; edge and quantum computing,, since they will increase the processing power of artificial intelligence machines and hence the artificial intelligence  decision process. Also systems that will incorporate or combine artificial intelligence with human’s capabilities will become the norm giving rise to a kind of cyborg culture. The most import thing is the integration of these machines into the human domain, this call for greater transparency and accountability in the use of artificial intelligence so as not to abuse it. it will be imperative to develop safe guideline for artificial intelligence deployment and development to make the artificial intelligence technology not only safe but productive to the human society. We must be vigilant and closely guard the use of artificial intelligence, otherwise we may fall victims in the hands of a super intelligent machine as portrayed by VIKI in the science fiction movie I ROBOT.

 

SOURCES:

• Artificial intelligence: A modern approach by Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig.
• Life 3.0. Being human in the age of artificial intelligence by Max Tegmark.
• AI for everyone: A guide for anyone to understand artificial intelligence by Andrew Ng.
• I ethics by Mark Coeckelbergh.
• The future of the mind: The scientific quest to understand, enhance and empower the mind by Michio Kaku.