How Does AI Work?

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence (AI), has a long history, with the first AI program developed in 1955. Since then, the technology has seen enormous advancements in both accuracy and capacity.

AI is defined by Merriam Webster as: “a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behavior in computers.” In simple terms, Artificial Intelligence allows machines to carry out tasks that normally require “human intelligence,” such as learning, problem solving, perception, prediction and decision making. This is achieved through the aggregation of large data sets. AI can automatically “learn” to identify data patterns from the input it receives, and make independent decisions based on these patterns. 

Once implemented, AI tends to complete (what used to be) “human intelligence” tasks faster and more accurately than the human eye. This is why businesses in every industry, from healthcare to manufacturing to education, are adopting AI at unprecedented rates.

Important Elements of AI

Machine Learning

Machine Learning (ML) is a type of Artificial Intelligence. It consists of a set of algorithms that allow it to automatically learn and improve its own performance over time. Machine Learning can be supervised, which involves using lessons from past data to predict and apply knowledge to future data. It can also be unsupervised, which involves examining a large data set for patterns or structure.

Deep Learning

Deep Learning (DL) is the branch of unsupervised Machine Learning that most closely resembles human intelligence. DL uses algorithms, or Neural Networks, to independently identify and analyze the most important aspects of a dataset. It does this by creating advanced representations and designs its own approach to problem solving. 

Natural Language Processing

Natural Language Processing, or NLP, is a type of AI that uses computers to understand and interpret human speech, whether written or spoken. In a way, NLP “translates” human language into a language that computers can understand. Examples of NLP include talk-to-text and applications of AI communication such as chatbots.

Applications

You’ve no doubt already encountered AI in your daily life - probably even today. AI isn’t just about self-driving cars. It’s involved in everyday activities, like online shopping, manufacturing, transportation and more. Artificial Intelligence is being deployed in professional sports, where coaches use it to improve player performance and analyze opposing teams. It also has applications in diagnostic medicine. For instance, AI can identify lung cancer with 95% accuracy, while human accuracy is still around 65%.

Artificial Intelligence can also help almost any business. There are so many ways to apply it, like automated communication that harnesses NLP or Deep Learning that helps you improve business processes. If you’re interested in seeing what AI can do for your business, check out our communication and business automation solutions or reach out here!