ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

BY SYED OMAR
WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE?

According to IBM, “At its simplest form, artificial intelligence is a field, which
combines computer science and robust datasets, to enable problem-solving. It
also encompasses sub-fields of machine learning and deep learning, which are
frequently mentioned in conjunction with artificial intelligence. These disciplines
are comprised of AI algorithms which seek to create expert systems which make
predictions or classifications based on input data.”

This is a verbose explanation, so basically, artificial intelligence is the usage of

computers to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of
human beings.
WHAT’S THE HISTORY ASSOCIATED WITH IT?
• In the year 1950, Alan Turing, commonly referred to as the “Father of Computer
Science”, wrote a paper titled "Computing Machinery and Intelligence”. In this
paper, he asks the famous question “Can machines think?” This question and the
“Turing Test” he came up with to distinguish between a human response and a
computer response were revolutionary and laid the groundwork for all
development in the field of AI. 45 years later, Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig
then proceeded to publish, Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach,
becoming one of the leading textbooks in the study of AI
WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE?
• AI is often split into three different categories.
• Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI): These model human intelligence to accomplish
specific tasks and are do not attempt to possess full cognitive abilities like humans.
They classify data based on how they were trained and therefore operate solely under
a set of pre-defined functions. Digital Voice Assistants like Siri or Netflix’s film
recommendation engine, for example.
• Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): It’s a theoretical application of generalized
artificial intelligence into any domain, solving any problem that requires creative or
abstract thought, just like a human. This means they can successfully perform any
intellectual task a human could.
• Artificial Superintelligence (ASI): It can be seen as the next step after AGI. It’s an AI
that greatly exceeds the cognitive performance of humans in virtually all domains of
interest. It’s incredibly far off and forms the basis for most science fiction. The best
example of this would be the HAL-9000 from the film 2001: A Space Oddysey.
WHAT’S DEEP LEARNING? IS IT THE SAME AS MACHINE
LEARNING?
The diagram on the right makes it easier to understand.
Both deep learning and machine learning are sub-fields
of artificial intelligence, and deep learning is actually a
sub-field of machine learning.

Machine learning is the use of computer algorithms that

can improve automatically through experience and by
the use of data. It imitates the way humans learn,
gradually improving accuracy. Deep learning is one of
the ways it does that

Deep learning structures algorithms in a neural network

with three or more layers. These neural networks
attempt to simulate the behavior of the human brain and
are based on interconnections between neurons. They’re
great at identifying complex patterns and are most
commonly used in facial recognition software.
NARROW/WEAK AI (ANI)
• Weak/Narrow Artificial Intelligence is the only type of AI that exists today. It can solve
complex problems and often complete tasks more efficiently than humans, but its functionality
is limited to its programming. That being said, Machine Learning is a Narrow AI technique, and
every minor success in the field is a stepping stone to General AI.
• Since it can’t think and do all decisions by itself, it’s used to augment the roles of people rather
than cutting them out completely. This means the more mundane and less creative aspects of a
job can be automated and done by the AI. For example, in a website, a chatbot could answer
common basic queries users would have, while human support assistants answer more
complicated and personalized questions. This means less time is wasted and is a huge increase
in efficiency.
• It also would help with strategic decision making, since if it’s been correctly trained, it would
give an unbiased answer that took into account the data and possible solutions that could be
taken.
• User satisfaction is taken to a further degree as search predictions, shopping item
recommendations, even advertisements are tailored to their specific users. Making them more
relevant. Spotify has a personalized daily mix for its users, for example.
 WHAT ARE SOME MORE CURRENT DAY EXAMPLES
OF IT?
• The most obvious example is digital assistants such as Siri in Apple’s products.
• Another very interesting usage is in robots. For example, a Roomba, a vacuum cleaning robot,
uses AI to scan a living area’s size, look for objects that might be in the way, and remember the
best route for cleaning the carpet.
• Since AI can process large amounts of data in seconds without feeling any fatigue, it’s been very
useful in the healthcare industry. Some studies have found that AI is faster and more accurate than
healthcare professionals in disease diagnosis, allowing them to focus on primary care instead of
data analysis
• Facial recognition software is incredibly dependent on narrow AI and utilizes Deep Learning. It’s
usually used for identification purposes, but are also useful for criminal detection by police
agencies.
• Self-driving and self-parking cars utilize machine learning to perform their function without much
user input too.
GENERAL/STRONG AI (AGI/ASI)
• General Artificial Intelligence don’t exist yet and are currently being worked towards. These
systems would be able to think, comprehend, learn and apply their intelligence to solve
different problems in different contexts, much like humans would. Just like a child, the AI
machine would have to learn through input and experiences, constantly progressing and
advancing its abilities over time.
• Since Strong AI does not rely on human programming to think or accomplish tasks, it would
understand context and have attributes like common sense, abstraction, and causality. And so,
while Narrow AI classifies and labels data, General AI used clustering and association to
identify similarities between objects and group them accordingly.
• We’re still in the early stages of creating AGI, since the human brain is incredibly complex,
and it's not yet possible to create models that replicate that biological network's
interconnections.
• AGI would solve many of the problems associated with ANI. For example, ANI cannot adapt
to unintended changes in performing an action, and thus the performance would degrade, but
AGI doesn’t have this issue.
 MACHINE LEARNING
• Machine learning is a subset of AI, in which algorithms are trained and learn from their past experiences and
examples. It’s possible for this system to make predictions and take decisions based on previous scenarios.
They manage and analyse considerable volumes of data and use their powerful processing capability to offer
fast and accurate outcomes.

• A good example is a search engine. It learns from the user’s previous searches and its previous performances,
and eventually gives more relevant and accurate suggestions and results.

• Another example is the AI used in the Tesla self-driving and self-parking cars. These utilize deep learning, a
subset of machine learning, to recognize the space around a vehicle. The technology has advanced so that the
cars will soon require no human interaction.

• There are different types of Machine Learning: Supervised, Unsupervised, Reinforcement, and Active
Learning.

• Supervised Learning is used to predict future outcomes based on past data. Unsupervised Learning is used to
identify hidden patterns from data provided; not trained using the “right” answer. Reinforcement Training
doesn’t use training and instead learns on the basis of “reward/punishment” when carrying out an action. Like
trial and error to determine which action gives optimal outcome. Active learning, uses labelled and unlabelled
data. It recognizes some data as labelled data, allowing it to be trained. Algorithms are used to analyze
incoming data by comparing it to data already recognized, and to learn from it. Informed decisions are then
made from what it’s learnt.
DEEP LEARNING
• Deep learning is a subset of Machine Learning. It distinguishes itself from classical machine learning
by the type of data that it works with and the methods in which it learns. Deep learning neural
networks, or artificial neural networks, attempts to mimic the human brain through a combination of
data inputs, weights, and bias
• Machine learning algorithms leverage structured, labeled data to make predictions—meaning that
specific features are defined from the input data for the model and organized into tables. For example,
imagine we had a set of photos of different animal, and we wanted to categorize by “cat”, “dog”,
“hamster”, etc. Deep learning algorithms can determine which features (like ears) are most important to
distinguish each animal from another.
• It’s this same concept which makes deep learning used for facial recognition software. Deep learning
using artificial neural networks can be used to recognize objects by looking at the binary codes of each
pixel, building up a picture of the object. Deep learning algorithms can then recognize it as a face.
• Large amounts of unlabelled data is input into the model. Using the artificial neural networks, each
object is recognized. Labelled data is then input to make sure it gives correct responses. If the output
isn’t sufficiently accurate, the model is refined until it gives satisfactory results.
• Deep learning has many uses ranging from image upscaling (such as waifu2x), coloring of black and
white photographs, and even some chatbots (such as Microsoft’s Tay).
CHINESE ROOM ARGUMENT
• How do we test for AI? Alan Turing devised the Turing Test back in the year 1950, which had a 70%
success rate. However, it only tested one skill set. The Extended Turing Test was eventually developed
which evaluates textual, visual, and auditory performance of the AI and compares it to human-
generated output.
• The Chinese Room Argument was created by John Searle in 1980. In his paper, he discusses the
definition of understanding and thinking, asserting that computers would never be able to do this. The
argument proposes the following scenario:
• Imagine you (or someone who also doesn’t know Chinese) were sitting in a closed room with a book on
Chinese phrases, language rules, and instructions. A person fluent in Chinese passes notes written in
Chinese into the room. With the help of the book, you select the appropriate response and pass it out to
them.
• You were able to provide the correct response using the book, however, you still don’t speak or
understand Chinese, right? It was just a simulation of understanding through matching question or
statements with appropriate responses. This argument shows flaws in Turing’s definition of it being AI
if it passes the Turing Test.
AI AND SOCIETY
• Today, AI breakthroughs in surpassing human ability in certain activities make headlines, but AI has been a standard
part of the industrial repertoire since at least the 1980s. As such, we’ve spent decades writing about and discussing
AI and its future.
• There’s this common belief that if we reach Artificial Superintelligence, it would be hostile against humans or render
us all obsolete. This coupled with the fear of mass layoffs due to automation has made a large portion of society
fearful of AI. There’s also the privacy and ethical issues that stem from certain uses of AI, such as facial recognition
that utilizes deep learning. If an AI can recognize your face from anywhere, then what if malicious groups get that
data and use it for dangerous purposes, such as terrorism?
• Experts believe that AGI will finally be reached around the years 2050-2060. This means that any fears of some
robot uprising won’t be coming into fruition for at least another century.
• The Brookings Institution estimated that 36 million workers will lose their jobs in the future because of AI. However,
this is mostly lower skilled jobs, and the World Economic Forum says machines will create 58 million new jobs too.
• While certain people might have qualms with the concept of AI, its positive effect on society is immense. The climate
change issue we’ll be facing in the next century would certainly benefit from solutions and changes due to AI. And
even right now, it’s been having positive breakthroughs in fields such as the healthcare industry (especially with the
global pandemic going on). The more menial or dangerous jobs humans would have had would be automated and
that means as a society we can be more efficient and divert our resources into other more skilled jobs.
• AI’s even been making the world a safer place. It doesn’t have the issue of human error and it’s been used
extensively in the automobile industry.