Artificial Intelligence

The simulation of human intelligence by machines — enabling computers to learn, reason, and make decisions.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the branch of computer science dedicated to building systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. These tasks include understanding language, recognizing images, making decisions, solving problems, and generating creative content.

AI is not a single technology — it is an umbrella term covering a vast range of approaches. Rule-based systems, machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI are all branches of the same broader field. What unifies them is the goal of making machines behave intelligently.

Key distinction: Narrow AI (ANI) is designed for a specific task — like recognizing faces or recommending videos. General AI (AGI) would match human-level reasoning across all domains. We are firmly in the Narrow AI era today.

Types of AI

Reactive Machines — respond to inputs but have no memory (e.g. Deep Blue chess engine)
Limited Memory — use past data to inform decisions (e.g. self-driving cars)
Narrow AI — excel at one specific task (most modern AI tools)
General AI (AGI) — hypothetical human-level reasoning; not yet achieved

Modern AI applications power search engines, recommendation systems, medical diagnosis tools, content generators, and autonomous vehicles. The field accelerated dramatically with the rise of large language models and transformer architectures after 2017.

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