Artificial Intelligence Explained

AI can be implicated in virtually any field and can manifest itself in many ways. But what is AI? What is it’s significance?

Artificial intelligence is when the ability or cognition of a human is simulated. What distinguishes various types of AI is the way it functions in a specific field or job. There are generally four types of AI: Reactive machines, Limited memory, Theory of mind, and Self-awareness. This also defines a sort of intelligence hierarchy, reactive machines having the weakest AI, and self-aware AI having the strongest.

Reactive machines are task-specific programs, and although they have “weak-AI” has monumental implications within society. The pillars of most applications depend on their task-specific functions. They also are the most reliable form of AI. Programs based upon a preset of rules and parameters will always react the same in a given circumstance and are designed to be the most proficient in consistency and reliability.

“Limited memory” AI has the pillars of reactive machines but can learn and adapt based on prior experience or “memory”. This is where machine learning comes into play. A program with limited memory can be designed to change its function based upon its cumulative successes and failures. The three main ways to achieve this are with supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. These aspects of machine learning provide a prerequisite to how an AI will adapt depending on its field. Supervised learning is when a program has been precoded with data sets in order to be able to label/categorize future sets of data. It detects patterns within its pre-coded data sets to make decisions on how to correctly categorize future data or information. Unsupervised learning is when a program is coded without labeled data sets, so its function will depend on the similarities and differences of the input it receives. Reinforcement learning is like unsupervised learning, but it will change its method of categorization based on the user’s feedback, so it usually improves over time due to more and more data being categorized, therefore more and more ways to differentiate data based on past categorization. It uses its past decisions, and changes according to its success or failure.

Theory of mind machines are used to interpret human emotions in order to predict one’s behavior or intentions. By understanding emotions, its thought process will be similar to that of humans and could act based upon a perceived emotion. These types of AI are currently in development and scarce in general in the industry.

Self-aware AI is yet to be designed, but it is defined quite self-explanatory, for an AI to be self-aware, or to have consciousness. This AI would be aware of its current state and would be in a way identical to the consciousness of a human. This type of AI would be evaluated to find the complexity of its awareness.

All of these types can be implicated in any field, based on what its code or function is. On the smallest level, it provides information in a convenient way and can spread awareness of a certain topic. It can learn and adapt based upon past experiences, so its function can improve drastically over time and develop a kind of mastery of its function just like a person would. Soon, it could play important roles in determining the intelligence, or emotional stability of a person, and could even achieve the consciousness of a person.

Whether AI is present in an application on one’s phone or in consciousness, it can be implemented into any aspect of society and can make decisions on how to perform in a situation based upon a vast amount of parameters. Its increasing role and dependence in society show AI’s significance and growth. There are no limits within this field nor its impact on other ones and will soon represent the pillar of humanity.

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