Artificial Intelligence: What is it, how does it work and what are the biggest advances so far?

With the great rise of computers, manual work processes have been significantly reduced. Therefore, these teams have been adopted in practically all sectors and thus, humans depend on its use to a great extent.

In this sense, many people wonder “Can a machine think and act like human beings do?”, since we are now all completely surrounded by computer systems and machines. Which, although previously it was only a science fiction theme, over the years the possibility of create artificial systems capable of reasoning and acting like human beings.

This was possible thanks to the development of attractive Artificial Intelligence (AI)which has been established in our lives and although it is still in its initial phase, it is estimated that it will be the protagonist of a revolution similar to that generated by the Internet. In this way, we want to introduce you to all aspects of interest around AI.

What is artificial intelligence and what are its principles?

To begin with, let’s see what Artificial Intelligence consists of. Which, basically, is the simulation of human intelligence by machines and can be defined as a combination of algorithms proposed with the objective of create teams that show the same capabilities as human beings. Such a combination of algorithms include learning, reasoning and self-correction, in general.

Expressed in another way, AI stands out for being the discipline in charge of establish systems with the virtue of learning and reasoning as people do. So, learn from experience, find out ways to solve problems under certain given conditions, compare information and perform logical tasks.

On the other hand, it is also necessary to know what are the origins of the famous AI in the worldlike its history and evolution and even, what this simulation is expected to be in the future. So that, Next, we detail everything about it:

Source

In 1956, the expression was coined “Artificial intelligence” by the renowned American computer scientist, John McCarthy. This, while developing dartmouth conferencebeing an event of the utmost importance because this discipline that promises so much for the future was officially born there.

Nevertheless, the most basic ideas of AI go back to the Greeks, before Christ. In view of that, Aristotle (384-322 BC) was the first character to describe a set of rules that specify a part of the functioning of the mind in order to reach rational conclusions. Added to it, Ctesibius of Alexandria (250 BC) was the one who built the first self-controlled machine through a water flow regulator.

For its part, the Artificial Intelligence manifesto also dates back to the year 1936. Since, during that year, Alan Turing began to theorize about “machines that could work by themselves”.

This, thanks to the article called “Calculable Numbers”, which was of great help in establishing the theoretical foundations and thus, was considered the official origin of theoretical computer science. From there, the concept of “Turing machine” who formalized the concept of algorithm and pioneered digital computers.

History and evolution

For its part, in the 1960sthe Department of Defense of the United States showed great interest in the whole concept of Artificial Intelligence and thanks to this, began to train teams that could mimic basic human reasoning. Thus, a job that paved the way for automation and formal reasoning seen in computers today.

Added to this, in the decade of the 90’s and at the beginning of the 21st century, there was the expansion of AI by two transcendental reasons. The first of these has to do with the increase in computational capacity of computers on the market and the other reason, is based on digitization which produced monumental amounts of data that could be processed for utility.

In this sense, it was an unprecedented investment by famous technology companies, at the time, who saw great potential in it. Since, they specified that by applying analytics and algorithms on data, it was possible to obtain incredible services, products and insights that will add value to society and of course, to companies.

With that investment, the great evolution of Artificial Intelligence began which, at the time, was nothing more than a term coined many years ago. So, new technologies were developed for the progress of AI.

Said evolution was especially visualized by the great event of the year 1997, when a computer called “Deep Blue” of IBM, had the ability to beat a game of chess Gary Kasparov, the world champion at that time. With which, it was ensured that the machine had surpassed human capabilities and through it, Artificial Intelligence was definitively consecrated.

Future

Despite the fact that, in its beginnings, there were two obstacles; these have already been surpassed to this day. which were based on computing power and data. With regard to data, digitization has allowed to establish more uses for them and thanks to this progress, they are no longer a problem for the progress of AI.

On the other hand, regarding computing powerwas also a fault overcome. Which was achieved thanks to:

• vertical scalability: It made it possible to make computers more powerful and following Moore’s Law, which ensures that, approximately every two years, the number of transistors in a microprocessor doubles.
• Horizontal scalability: By making several computers compute in one, through powerful technologies such as Big Data.

Thanks to this, it has been possible to create a large number of devices with Artificial Intelligence around the world and it is hoped to build a sustainable future from this technology. Taking into account that, the development of it will continue to polarize and it is also considered as a great promise that can help people, companies and communities to unite.

Additionally, the experts have assured that it will be obtained a great acceleration in technological advances of all kinds, due to AI. In view of the fact that, although computers with great dispositions and robots capable of seeing, hearing, answering questions, learning and solving problems have already been created; in a few years these last they will be able to design faster equipment and robots than those created by humans themselves today.

How does “Artificial Intelligence” work to try to think and act like a person?

Basically, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is developed through algorithms consisting of mathematical learning abilities; so they can try to think and act like a human being. In addition to this, this technology is also based on the data that is needed to train these algorithms.

For the Generally, that data is observable, publicly available or generated in certain companies. In such a way that the operation of Artificial Intelligence is bounded by the algorithms that iterate over said data in order to learn from them.

On the other hand, it is also necessary to know the basic principles on which AI is basedin order to understand a little more its operation.

Next, four of the main bases of this technological concept:

• Fair Artificial Intelligence: It is estimated that the applications of this technology should provide truly fair results. In other words, they cannot have discriminatory impacts in terms of ethnic origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, ability or any condition at a personal level.
• “Focused on people”: It must be at the service of society and thereby generate tangible benefits for human beings, taking into account that their rights cannot be violated by AI.
• “Transparent and explainable”: Another of the important objects regarding the operation of this intelligence is that users know that they are interacting with an AI system, as well as their data that is going to be used and for what purpose.
• “Privacy and security by design”: It is significant that you can preserve the security of both personal and anonymous and aggregated data.

From all this, Artificial Intelligence systems try to think and act as people do. However, many wonder if such technology can be sentient like humans. and before this there is a great confusion.

Therefore, it is worth clarifying that, until now, the AI ​​cannot count on such awareness, since it is not possible to include psychological aspects to an “Artificial Intelligence”, although it is expected that they can simulate them. So even though the machine doesn’t have consciousness, it can trick people into making it look like it does.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of artificial intelligence for humans?

With all of the above, you may be wondering what are the pros and cons that Artificial Intelligence reveals for human beings, currently. So, in order to learn more about this concept, we want to introduce you to the main advantages and disadvantages that AI has exhibited with its development:

Advantages and benefits

To start, we detail the most interesting advantages or benefits that “Artificial Intelligence” shows in order to support the advancement of society:

• Minimize chances of error: Almost completely, AI makes it possible to eliminate the possibilities of error, since it allows greater precision to be obtained, when computing and comparing large amounts of variables and data.
• Simplify people’s daily lives: By knowing and predicting their needs, interests or tastes. We can see this with the forecasts of the smartphones that we currently use, as well as with the digital assistant applications.
• The ability to perform repetitive and time consuming tasks: Thanks to this, it manages to increase efficiency in many processes. In addition, by lacking emotions, completely rational processing and decision-making is possible.
• AI-enabled machines will be able to replace humans in laborious and painstaking work areas: From this aptitude, human beings will be able to focus on tasks that require greater responsibility.
• Provides advances in medicine: Through its development of intelligent algorithms, this technology offers the possibility of evaluating and diagnosing patients, simulating surgeries and brain operations, as well as applying radiosurgery in cases of risk, in which precision is essential.
• Can assign complex and dangerous tasks to humans: Machines with “Artificial Intelligence” can be very useful to overcome the limitations that humans have. So, they facilitate activities such as space exploration or mining.
• Optimum management, data analysis and records in areas as sensitive as financial activity: It has the ability to detect fraud and anomalies, as well as organize capital in the best way. Reason why, a master of Artificial Intelligence is one of the most sought after characteristics in professionals in this industry, today.
• They do not require pauses or breaks: Machines developed through AI do not need frequent breaks or snacks, as they are programmed to work, continuously, without getting distracted, bored or tired; so they can work for long hours without any problem. In doing so, it speeds up productivity in many processes that benefit humans.

Disadvantages and risks

However, Artificial Intelligence systems also show certain negative repercussions for people. Therefore, it is also highly relevant to specify the disadvantages and risks that AI reveals.

Here are its most notable cons:

• High cost: There is no doubt that Artificial Intelligence requires truly enormous costs, given that they are such complex machines and thus their maintenance is also very expensive. In addition to this, in case of serious breakdowns, the procedures to recover lost codes and reinstall the entire system can require inordinate amounts of money, as well as time.
• It could influence the unemployment of many people in the world: Artificial Intelligence supposes the replacement of human work by machines and this would produce the unemployment of a large number of people. Which is a truly worrying reason and can also affect fields such as Industry 4.0.
• No efficiency to alter responses depending on variable situations: Unfortunately, AI machines are not as efficient as humans when it comes to reframing responses. Taking into account that, by basing their behavior and learning solely on computer data, their responses could not be adapted to real needs.
• There is no original creativity: If you expect creativity or imagination from Artificial Intelligence, this will not be possible. Since these aspects are not the strong point of these systems and for that reason, they cannot compete with the power of thinking that the human brain has or with the originality of a creative mind.
• No improvement with experience: It is impossible that AI can be improved with experience, unlike people. Keeping in mind that these systems store a lot of data and over time, they can lead to wear and tear. Thus, the way in which such data can be accessed and used is very different from human intelligence.
• Their responsibility lies with humans: Despite all the capabilities that “Artificial Intelligence” exhibits, its design and application are the complete responsibility of the people. In other words, its benefits or risks will depend on the way in which the developers decide to use it.

Classification of artificial intelligence How many exist and what are their characteristics?

According to Stuart J. Russell and Peter Norvigthe creators of “Modern Approach” which is a college textbook on Artificial Intelligence; There are four types of this technology. Which are based on systems that are developed according to a unique characteristic.

Here are its main features:

systems that think rationally

They are based on systems that try to imitate the rational logical system of human beings. In this way, they try to make decisions based on logic. Additionally, they are related to the automation of activities that are linked to learning and problem solving. Today they are known as “expert systems”.

Systems that act rationally

Its main idea is the fact that emulate human behavior and it is based on systems that think rationally. In addition to this, they are linked to intelligent behaviors and artifacts, but this time they act.

Systems that think like humans

Unlike the first type of classification systems, this one has as its main function represent the human mind in general, but on machines. So, they manage to imitate characteristics of people, such as problem solving, learning, decision making and knowledge acquisition.

Systems that act like humans

As its name indicates, this system has the ability to act like human beings and specializes in emulating the behavior of these. It should be noted that its main objective is to create machines with the ability to perform activities that people can commonly do. A clear example of such systems is robotics.

On the other hand, they also differ branches of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as another of the classifications of this extensive technology.

Thus, the types of AI are the following:

• reactive machines: A machine or robot of this type consists of a system that does not see the world beyond things. This means that they are based on robots focused on carrying out certain specific tasks, exclusively. Therefore, its behavior is the same every time. Example: the “Deep Blue” created by IBM.
• Machines with limited memory: As its name indicates, they are machines that have a restricted memory and for that reason, they do not have a learning library. An example of these machines are the smart cars that can only monitor activities such as speed and direction in a given period of time.
• Machines with mental theory: They are devices based on the “Theory of mind”, which consists of distinguishing and understanding the mental states of other subjects. In other words, it is what differentiates the robots and intelligent machines that exist today. Thus, it is likely that they also have artificial emotions.
• Self-aware machines: They are based on a clear objective, and that is that the robot get a representation of who you are. So that, just like human beings, the machine can identify endless emotions. However, we are still a long way from creating an artificial science with a consciousness of its own.

What are all the uses and applications that can be given to AI in each sector?

On the other hand, it is of great interest to know what are the most relevant uses and applications that can be given to “Artificial Intelligence” in each sectornowadays.

The reason why, In this section of the post, we will limit these aspects:

• in Engineering: Facilitates design, control and analysis.
• In education: Provides practical training, examinations and optimal diagnosis.
• In medicine: For its precision and ability to assess and diagnose patients, simulate surgeries and brain operations, as well as apply radiosurgery.
• In the Software area: From teaching, specification, design, verification and maintenance.
• in finance: Supports planning, analysis and consulting.
• in Marketing: Through process automation, Data Driven Marketing, personalized interaction, programmatic advertising and content creation.
• In Cartography: Allows the interpretation of photographs, design and resolution of cartographic problems.
• In manufacturing: Through design, planning, programming, control, monitoring, project management, computerized vision and simplified robotics.
• in weapons systems: With electronic warfare, adaptive control, image processing, signal processing, target identification, etc.
• In Management and Control: Provides intelligent analysis and goal setting.
• In Data Processing: Encourages education, intelligent access to data, natural language interface, intelligent data analysis and database managers as well.

Chronology of the most important events in the history of artificial intelligence

Finally, it is very important to know what have been the events of greatest value during the history of Artificial Intelligence (AI) so far.

So that, we indicate the same ones immediately, chronologically:

1969 – Shakey the Robot

It was the first general-purpose mobile robot, with the ability to make decisions about their own actions at the same time that he reasoned about his surroundings. This event occurred because, at the time, Artificial Intelligence was lagging far behind the extensive predictions made by its proponents.

1973 – There was a “freeze” of Artificial Intelligence

Starting in the 70’s, Artificial Intelligence was involved in serious problems. Since, many had invested in it and there was little to show, until now. Reason why, strong criticism from the United States Congress.

1983 – The first leader in commercial benefits of Artificial Intelligence is known

The founder of Digital Equipment Corporation, Ken Olson; he was one of the first business leaders to realize the myriad of business benefits that the development of AI could bring.

1996 – The appearance of Deep Blue

The creation of deep blue It was one of the greatest events that Artificial Intelligence could have before the 21st century. Said, it was an achievement of IBM from which they developed the Deep Blue supercomputer; a machine with the ability to calculate faster than any person.

From this creation, the world chess champion, Gary Kasparov; he found a great rival at his level. Taking into account that the Feb. 10 this year, this machine was able to win a chess game against Kasparov, who had to surrender due to his remarkable ability.

2002 – The first robot for the home was known

Specifically, on July 15, 2002, Roomba appeared, developed by the Rodney Brook spin-off company iRobot. This device being the first commercially successful robot for the home. Specifically, it was a self-contained vacuum cleaner.

2015 – The great success of AlphaGo happened

Specifically, on March 15, 2015, AlphaGo became the first Go machine to beat a professional player in this two-person strategy board game, without using handicap stones on a board with dimensions of 19×19. It should be noted that this machine was an AI developed by the famous Google company and faced the Chinese player Fan Hui 2p.

2016 – iMind Technology emerges

Starting the year 2016, iMind is known to be an artificial brain without consciousness that allows the machine to learn as you interact with it. Thanks to this, it is able to process language and interpret what a person already says. from it, can work like:

• A sales assistant.
• A program for the internal service of a company.
• A substitute for a call center.

Soon, Vodafone and Banco Santander they did not hesitate to adopt this tool.

2017 – Jarvis, Mark Zuckerberg’s butler, is born

The creator of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, already has a butler and it is not just any person, but it is about a robot that displays the ability to play music, play games with the family, turn on lights, and recognize visitors in order to open or not the door of the house.

It is appropriate to note that Zuckerberg chose the voice of Morgan Freeman to personify his assistant, who works as Iron Man’s assistant. Without a doubt, he has been one of the best creations with Artificial Intelligence, so far.