Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. What is Artificial Intelligence?
   1. What is the main goal of Artificial Intelligence?
3. Types of Artificial Intelligence
4. Six Subfields of AI
5. Applications of Artificial Intelligence
6. Conclusion

When we factor in the basics of artificial intelligence, it often comes across as futuristic technology to most people. To your surprise, it is already ruling your daily life.

For instance, self-learning artificial intelligence (AI) will study your actions while shopping online and recommend related products. AI also plays a pivotal role in several other domains like travel and navigation, smartphone apps, self-driven cars, social media feeds, financial services, music streaming and more. So yes, currently, artificial intelligence has become a buzzword.

The evolving technology is older than you think. Going down the memory lane, the term artificial intelligence was invented in 1950 by John McCarthy, and five years later, the first AI program was presented at Carnegie Mellon University. Year after year, there was only development.

• In 1979, Stanford Cart was built, the world’s first computer-controlled autonomous vehicle.
• Netflix, Facebook, and Twitter adopted AI in 2006.
• Google launched the ‘Google now’ to provide users with predictions.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

In layman’s language, artificial intelligence is the capability of a computer program to comprehend, anticipate and then act upon it. A computer-controlled robot can perform tasks on behalf of human beings. In a nutshell, a machine is made intelligent with the help of technology, but not a single technique. AI requires various components that support computer vision, natural language understanding (NLU), machine learning and natural language processing.

With the help of extensive data, computers mimic human-like behaviour, which is displayed in the system. And it acts as a powerful tool today to streamline business at a small and large level.

What is the main goal of Artificial Intelligence?

The concept of AI was developed to fulfil the following goals.

• AI incorporates a connection between machines and human beings.
• It is a big help in the medical field by increasing accuracy and speed.
• Time taken to perform any task is reduced significantly.
• Human-computer interaction is made coherent.
• AI has helped people learn new information quickly.

Types of Artificial Intelligence

The types of AI are broadly classified based on functionality and capabilities.

• Reactive Machine

The reactive machine is one of the oldest forms of AI with limited capacity. The system does not use any past experiences to structure future actions. There is no memory-based interface, and it works only on the basis of present data. This means the machine cannot learn and draw any conclusion. To put it simply, it responds to the present situation put forward.

• Limited Memory

Limited memory AI has the capabilities of a reactive machine and the ability to learn from historical data. The algorithm manoeuvres past information and knowledge to respond accordingly. The term ‘limited’ defines a short-lived memory which works on building a reference model to solve a problem.

• Theory of Mind

The theory of mind AI works exactly like a human mind by deeply understanding people’s emotions and thoughts. It is one of the most advanced technologies and is very similar to human behaviour. This particular type of AI is not complete and up there yet, but as per experts, it will be one of the biggest discoveries. It is currently at the stage of innovation and is underway. Surprisingly, it will hold a point of view and express things implicitly.

• Self-awareness

The self-awareness AI goes one step ahead of its predecessor. It not only understands human emotions but has beliefs, requirements and emotions of its own. Currently, this AI is only a putative possibility and stands as an ultimate destination for AI researchers. It is self-explanatory and has a complete understanding of its own. In a nutshell, the self-aware AI is an imitation of human intelligence.

• Artificial Narrow Intelligence

As the name suggests, artificial narrow intelligence has a limited range of capability. It has human-like talent but only to a predefined compass. It can perform tasks only that the machine is programmed to do. For instance, the ANI AI can identify an object within a tight frame.

• Artificial General Intelligence

Popularly known as AGI, it is the aptness of the machine to grasp, learn, comprehend and finally role out exactly like a human being. The system primarily deals with the theory of mind due to the capabilities of understanding and expressing. This AGI mode is just as capable as a human with the acquired knowledge and skill.

• Artificial Superintelligence

In the coming times, Artificial Superintelligence will mark a summit in AI research. The development of ASI will result in perfection when it comes into play. It can outperform human intelligence with all the powerful technologies, including quick data processing, great memory, analysis and decision making. ASI is also capable of intricacies like critical thinking, solving mysteries and coming to a conclusion. The system can shockingly question our way of life.

Six Subfields of AI:

Besides the categories of AI, subfields play a pivotal role too.

1. Machine learning

Machine learning is a subfield of AI and one of the most high-powered fields in technology. With the ML algorithm, the system gathers all the previous data, recognises patterns and decides with minimum human intervention. Machine learning also introspects and makes predictions. This is a blessing in disguise for the healthcare industry.

2. Deep learning

Deep learning involves a huge process of analysing and handling the data through several raw inputs and then discovering the single most enviable input. The advanced technology is capable of learning a large amount of data and deploying multiple algorithms. Deep learning can identify right and wrong precisely.

3. Neural networks

The neural network is a subfield of AI that mocks the human brain to unleash a large amount of data and complete tasks accordingly. It incorporates machinery, which is a part of biology concerning the human brain’s nervous system. The stack of interconnected units works on deriving meaning from unspecified data.

4. Natural language processing

In the simplest terms, natural language processing is an artificial intelligence that conducts the communication between humans and machines using a natural language. With this concept of AI, computers can analyse, interpret and process human speech. The seamless interaction helps in sending out logical responses. NLP has several benefits, including the functioning of personal assistants like Alexa.

5. Computer vision

This type of AI expedites the computer to recognise and comprehend the visuals from a word document, PDF, PPT, images or any other kind of data. This whole process works on deep learning and pattern recognition. When the computer can interpret the content and video, it can also efficiently capture the data in real-time.

6. Cognitive Computing

Cognitive computing AI technology works accurately even in complex situations. Its main objective is to accelerate the problem-solving capabilities between machines and humans. Interestingly, in this practice, the machine understands the exact human behaviour and re-creates the whole process in a machine model. It functions entirely on the basis of evidence.

Applications of Artificial Intelligence

The basics of AI are applicable in several industries today. Artificial intelligence application has helped many sectors boom and set new benchmarks of efficiency. The evolving technology can resolve complicated problems using a cross-disciplinary approach. We have listed down a few applications used in our day-to-day life.

• Artificial intelligence has helped the e-commerce industry by preventing credit card frauds, suggesting products based on previous preferences and fostering real-time engagement with potential customers.
• AI has set its foot in education by creating smart and personalised content.
• It plays a huge role in the privacy and security space by adopting the technique of facial recognition.
• The power of AI plays a huge role in the healthcare industry with all the automation in medication and diagnosis.
• AI application is also widely used in the financial industry by taking care of fraud detection, tracing card usage and customer support.

Besides the mentioned ones, the concepts of AI also play a role in travel, agriculture, gaming, navigation, smart homes, lifestyle, marketing and robotics. It’s almost like the use of artificial intelligence has become inevitable.

One Last Thought:

In the last decade, the use of artificial intelligence has increased exponentially, the sole reason being the amount of data generation. It’s almost impossible for a human brain to absorb the complexity and volume. The youth has clearly understood that artificial intelligence is the present and the future. As per a report, about 95% of customer interactions will be driven by AI by 2025. The scope in the field of AI is limitless. Experts foresee a revenue of 126 billion dollars by 2025. That day is not far when your air conditioner will tell you what the ideal temperature should be.

At Atria University, you can master the art and learn in detail the types of AI and how each one is implemented. Our signature project also delineates the subfields of AI and goes beyond. We take the responsibility to help you with all the skills and expertise.