What is AI really?

AI or Artificial Intelligence is the process of machine or software learning and the ability for it to enhance itself.
Merriam-Webster defines artificial intelligence as: "The capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior."

Right now what we call AI, are for the most part, complex algorithms of if/then/else/or statements.

For example
IF 1+1 =2 then TRUE,
   ELSE False

But real current AI means that the machine or software is capable of learning.

Most of you are probably familiar with this little robot.

I couldn't find it online, and I don't have the time to go digging through the dvd's to figure out which one had the bonus feature but there is footage of the Pixar lamp learning to hop.   They didn't know how to make it hop, so they coded it for machine learning and it learned how to hop.  It struggled, it fell, but it eventually learned.  Then they taught it to squish the I.

Now when most people think of AI they picture Rosie the robot from the "Jetsons" or a humanoid robot from Asimov's "I Robot" or the humanoid robots in "Battle Star Galactica" or "Westworld"

We aren't there...yet.

But take a look at this.  These robots were programmed with the basic capabilities to walk and the equipment to open doors. They were not programmed to open doors, but were programmed to work together.

We have specific AI.  Video games which adapt to your techniques to keep it challenging for you.  Cars which are capable of driving themselves.   Digital assistants that can order your groceries or tell you the weather.   

We have AI but they are NOT yet self aware or even capable of "thought" on a human level.   They are purpose built with specific functions and are able to imitate human thought.  

Now where we saw one of the best examples of AI learning is  the New Google Translate Algorithm.  When the implemented the algorithm they did see a major improvement in translations as well as something completely unexpected.   Google Translate creates own language.  Okay, the title is very click bait, and what it really does is apply machine learning translation from one language to another.  It has not created a base language per-se but it has demonstrated growth beyond the original programming in order to be more efficient and make better translations.  

We are still a long we off from the days of skynet and the robot revolution.   But I for one look forward to self driving cars and distributed computing networks to help improve weather forecasts and make life better for all of us.   

I want a lawn mowing robot too.  Still pricey for my budget, but something I have my eye on.  

What do you think of AI and where we are going?   

Thank you for reading.

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