10.1 Introduction to AI
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10.1 Introduction to AI
When we talk about Artificial Intelligence, it's helpful to understand that there are different levels of "smartness" we're trying to achieve in machines.
10.1.1 Strong AI vs. Weak AI
When scientists and engineers talk about AI, they often divide it into two main types:
- Weak AI (or Narrow AI):
- What it is: This is the kind of AI we have today and use every day. Weak AI is designed and trained for a very specific task. It's super good at that one job, but it can't do anything else.
- How it works: It uses smart algorithms and lots of data to perform its specific task. It doesn't truly "understand" or "think" like a human; it just follows complex rules and patterns it has learned.
- Examples:
- Voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant (they understand your voice commands, but they don't have feelings or general knowledge about everything).
- Recommendation systems on Netflix or YouTube (they suggest movies you might like based on what you've watched, but they don't understand the movie's plot like you do).
- Self-driving cars (they are trained to drive, but they can't suddenly decide to write a poem).
- Spam filters in your email (they identify junk mail, but can't do anything else).
- Why it's called "Weak": Not because it's bad, but because its intelligence is limited to a narrow area.
- Strong AI (or General AI / Artificial General Intelligence - AGI):
- What it is: This is the kind of AI that can understand, learn, and apply intelligence to any intellectual task that a human being can. It would have consciousness, feelings, and the ability to reason, solve problems, and learn across many different areas, just like a human brain.
- How it works: This type of AI doesn't exist yet! Scientists are still working on how to create it. It would require computers to truly understand the world, not just process data.
- Examples (from science fiction):
- Robots that can learn any skill, have conversations about anything, and even experience emotions.
- A computer that can become a brilliant scientist, artist, or philosopher.
- Why it's called "Strong": Because its intelligence would be as broad and flexible as human intelligence.
Right now, all the amazing AI you see around you is Weak AI. Strong AI is still a goal for the future.
Bibliography:
- IBM - What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?: https://www.ibm.com/cloud/learn/what-is-artificial-intelligence
- GeeksforGeeks - Types of Artificial Intelligence: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/artificial-intelligence/artificial-intelligence/
- Wikipedia - Artificial intelligence: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence