What is AI
There is no single definition of AI; the exam wants the common elements that recur across definitions. AI is not a specific technology, but a branch of computer science dedicated to simulating intelligent behaviour.
There is no single definition of AI. The exam wants the common elements that appear across definitions.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a broad term for an engineered system that uses computational techniques to perform or automate tasks. It is a field of computer science dedicated to simulating intelligent behaviour in computers, and it includes techniques such as machine learning, where machines learn from experience and adjust to new inputs.
The 7 common elements found across AI definitions:
- Technology - a technological construct built from algorithms, data structures and computational models
- Intelligence - mimics aspects of human intelligence, e.g. reasoning and problem-solving
- Autonomy - often operates independently, making decisions without direct human oversight
- Goal-directed - typically designed to achieve specific objectives
- Output - generates predictions, decisions, classifications and actions
- Learning - incorporates learning and adapts to new inputs, environments or feedback
- Human interaction - its impact on society is shaped by how humans engage with it
Like "personal information" in privacy law, the meaning of AI has evolved over time. What counts as "intelligent enough" shifts as technology advances. AI is not a specific technology, but a branch of computer science with countless applications.