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What Is Artificial Intelligence: Four Types and Ten Uses of AI

Nov 22, 2023 | Uncategorized

The question “What is artificial intelligence?” is quintessential to understanding how to use AI tools such as AI Purity and why now more than ever it’s important. Before popular AI technology became accessible, lesser-known uses of AI existed as early as the 1950s. Today, artificial intelligence has a reputation for being “all-knowing” and can do just about anything from generating text to generating photos and much more. In its most basic form, artificial intelligence is a computer system that has been trained and taught to perform human tasks.

Learn how artificial intelligence became what it is today, the minds behind it, and the many ways you can use it to elevate your life.

An AI robot writing on a piece of paper

What Is AI Content Writing?

According to a Harvard-published blog by Rockwell Anyoha, by the first half of the 20th century, scientists, mathematicians, and philosophers had conceptualized the idea of the possibility of artificial intelligence after the “Golden Age of Science Fiction” in movies from 1938 to 1946. “Artificial intelligence” as a term wasn’t coined until 1965 when AI’s proof of concept was presented in the Dartmouth Summer Research Program (DSRPAI) on Artificial Intelligence by Allen Newell, Cliff Shaw, and Herbert Simon – the creators of Logic Theorist. The DSRPAI was hosted by John McCarthy and Marvin Minsky. McCarthy who coined the term “Artificial Intelligence” during the historic conference imagined there to be open-ended discussions about AI where researchers can collaborate. However, standard methods for the field weren’t agreed upon during the conference, people “came and went as they pleased”, but for the most part, it was agreed by everyone that AI was achievable and the conference set the tone for 20 years worth of AI research.

Logic Theorist

Logic Theorist is a computer programming language created by Allen Newell, Cliff Shaw, and Herbert Simon. Known as the “first artificial intelligence program”, Logic Theorist was designed to think and solve problems as a human would. Not only did Logic Theorist birth the field of study in Artificial Intelligence, it also made way for heuristic programming and the creation of Information Processing Language, or IPL.

Logic Theorist worked by mimicking the ability of human mathematicians and had the ability to make mathematical proofs. The program was tested on Bertrand Rusell and Alfred Whitehead’s Principia Mathematica. Logic Theorist proved 38 out of 52 theorems and was said to provide more detailed proofs than Principia Mathematica’s authors.

Who Invented Artificial Intelligence?

In 1950, Alan Turing published “Computer Machinery and Intelligence”. Turing’s reasoning for exploring the mathematical possibility of AI was since humans have the available information to make decisions or solve problems, machines could possibly do the same thing. In “Computer Machinery and Intelligence”, Turing discusses the creation of intelligent machines and how to test that intelligence which would later be known as the Turing Test.

Since he coined the term, the “Father of AI” is considered to be John McCarthy. McCarthy defined Artificial Intelligence as “the science and engineering of making intelligent machines.” As the creator of LISP, a standard programming language that is used in robotics, scientific applications, and even airline scheduling, McCarthy solidified his footing in the realm of AI with his countless contributions to the study.

In 1951, it was Christopher Strachey who was responsible for creating the earliest successful AI program. Strachey created a checkers game program that ran on the Ferranti Mark I computer at the University of Manchester, England. Christopher Strachey would later become the director of the Programming Research Group at the University of Oxford.

An AI robot writing on a piece of paper

What You Need To Know About Artificial Intelligence

Humans are considered to be the most intelligent species on Earth. As the term suggests, the artificial intelligence definition is the recreation of this intelligence through computer systems and machines. The aim of these computer systems is to replicate human intelligence by performing tasks that previously were only made by humans. These tasks include understanding natural language, recognizing patterns, and making decisions. Designed to mimic human cognitive functions, AI has been trained and developed with algorithms and models that will enable it to perform tasks without being prompted to do so or being explicitly programmed every step of the way. The main goal of artificial intelligence was to create machines that could basically think and act intelligently as humans would.

How Does AI Work and How Does AI Learn?

In learning what is artificial intelligence, it’s important to understand how it works. Artificial intelligence works from a series of algorithms or sets of rules and instructions that allow machines to perform tasks. Here are some key steps that allow AI systems to function:

Data Collection

AI systems are able to make decisions or generate information because they store a large amount of data. Datasets include but aren’t limited to text, photos, videos, audio, and other relevant information.

Data Processing

From huge raw datasets, that information is processed and irrelevant information and other noise is removed. This step is in preparation for AI to analyze and learn from the data it was fed.

Training

Not only are machine learning AI systems fed data, but it is also “trained”. Using labeled data, the AI algorithm learns patterns and relationships between the inputted data and the output label. An example is when AI is trained for facial recognition. The algorithm learns to associate facial features with the names of individuals.

Testing Evaluation

To ensure that AI models are generating correct results and are unbiased as possible, continuous training and testing evaluations are held. This step ensures that the AI system is as accurate as possible.

Deployment

After the rigorous testing and training process, the AI system is ready to be deployed for public use whether it’s in the form of being integrated into existing software, devices, and systems where it can perform the intended tasks.

Inference

As AI systems continue to operate they will be exposed to new and unseen data and will continue to infer, and make predictions and decisions based on what they learned during the training process.

Robot Artificially Intelligent hand

Types of AI

Arend Hintze, an integrative biology professor and researcher at Michigan State University was the first to define the four different types of artificial intelligence. Apparently, there are three AI learning ways: restricted, general, or super. Restriction means the AI machine operates based on a narrow set of rules, general which means stimulating the general intelligence of the human mind and its thought process, and super which means it goes beyond what humans are capable of.

Reactive AI

Reactive AI is known as the simplest type of AI, often performing basic tasks as the first stage of any AI system. Reactive machines react to specific situations based on pre-defined rules. An example of this would be a computer playing chess or checkers that follow specific rules to determine its next moves. As a reactive machine, it moves solely on what its predefined rules are and doesn’t learn or adapt as it’s used. It simply follows its program.

Limited Memory

As its name implies, limited memory machines learn and adapt from experience, only their memory is limited. Its algorithm is inspired by the neurons that work together in the human brain and gets smarter as it receives more information. However, unlike the way humans derive meaning from their past experiences, Limited Memory AI doesn’t store data as memories to learn from, it must be programmed into the AI. An example of a limited memory machine is self-driving cars. Information like stop signs, traffic, curved roads, and bumps are programmed into the car and this data helps the car decide how to operate without hitting other cars or cutting off other drivers.

Theory Of Mind

This type of AI is theoretical in nature unlike the first types of AI that already exist today. According to Coursera, once developed, Theory of Mind AI will try to understand human emotions, intentions, and beliefs which will allow it to interact more naturally with humans. It will mimic human cognitive abilities capable of processing its own thoughts and others – social awareness that is the basis of human society. Eventually, Theory of Mind AI would be able to predict behavior and understand human intentions.

Self-Aware

Another theoretical type of AI, Self-Aware AI machines are the closest to becoming sentient which means they are aware of their own existence, emotion, and consciousness. It is said to be the “final evolution” of AI but there is still a long way to go before it is developed. The precursor to developing self-aware AI machines is to understand the human brain’s intelligence, how memory is stored, how the brain learns, and how it makes decisions.

threats and risks AI poses to society

Risks Of Artificial Intelligence

As groundbreaking of a tool artificial intelligence has become since its inception, it would undoubtedly be irresponsible to not explore the risks of it being used in day-to-day scenarios. AI Purity holds itself more than just your average AI detection site. At AI Purity, we want to equip AI users with all the tools and information they would need to ethically use AI, including being transparent with the risks that come when using it. Here are some of the real risks of artificial intelligence and its threats to society:

  1. Job Displacement
    With AI automation underway, it could potentially replace many routine jobs with repetitive tasks because businesses can streamline their production processes through AI automation. Not only that, with many AI content generators being used to create AI-generated art, AI-generated images, and AI-generated text, it is also becoming a threat to creatives who use art as their means of making a living.

  2. Bias and Fairness
    Because of the way AI learns, based on what we learned earlier about the existing types of AI available today, they store only the data that it is trained and programmed in. Therefore, if there are biases present in the data used to train the AI, the AI system itself will be prone to perpetuating and even exacerbating those biases.

  3. Lack of Transparency
    There are AI models that operate as “black boxes” which means the inputs and operations aren’t visible to the users or other interested parties. This results in a lack of transparency which is a concern if understanding AI’s reasoning is essential.

  4. Security Concerns
    Without users understanding what is artificial intelligence while using AI systems that are trending, could make them potential cyberattack targets. Users could also become targets for adversarial attacks where AI systems are manipulated to disseminate incorrect information. Most AI applications that ask for users’ details could also be potentially storing them without users fully understanding the terms and conditions of using the application.

  5. Ethical Issues
    Just like any new technological application, the question of AI use comes up in ethical discussions. There’s so much potential to misuse AI from the user and proprietor side including privacy concerns and surveillance issues. It’s still up for consideration in professional and educational settings which AI systems are acceptable to use and users should always use careful consideration when using AI technology.

  6. Autonomous Weapons
    With AI on the rise, developing autonomous weapons is a possibility that raises even more ethical and moral considerations for using AI in warfare specifically. The loss of human control over potential AI-powered military technologies poses a huge threat to worldwide security.

  7. Exacerbation of Inequality
    Because resources all over the world are already unequal among the population, widespread AI use if not accessible to most will only exacerbate this inequality. There will be a disproportionate advantage to those who have access to AI, leaving those without access at a disadvantage.

  8. Unintended Consequences
    The world essentially went from asking what is artificial intelligence to using AI systems like Chat GPT and AI content generators in school, work, and everyday life. AI has grown so much since it was conceptualized in the 1950s and is still a technology being developed and learned about to this day. There could be unprecedented and unexpected consequences along the way that aren’t clear to AI users and it’s impossible to predict just how impactful AI can be in a few years time.

  9. Environmental Impact
    We know that AI models need to be run on computers. It may not be a matter of any more of cost like it was in the early days when computers were only accessible in prestigious universities and companies that could afford it, now, to run these computers and AI systems is a matter of intensive energy consumption. This largely affects the environment because keeping these computers running on nonrenewable energy sources isn’t sustainable.

    AI models require computer processing, a shift from the early days when access was limited to prestigious institutions and well-funded companies. Today, the primary concern is no longer just the cost of computer access but the substantial energy consumption involved in running AI systems. This has significant environmental implications, particularly when these computers rely on renewable energy sources, making sustainability a crucial issue.

  10. Loss of Control
    As Arend Hintze categorized the types of AI, he essentially pointed out the possibility and maybe inevitability of AI systems becoming sentient which means humans can no longer control it. AI systems are learning at a rapid pace which makes it more sophisticated and eventually autonomous. It is crucial to ensure that AI behaves in a predictable manner so that it remains controllable by humans to prevent it from harmful actions.

threats and risks AI poses to society

What Is Artificial Intelligence Used For?

Various AI systems have different uses and the datasets used to train it depend on what the system’s goals are. Here are just some of the many uses of AI and the relevant industries that could use it to streamline their operations.

Automation

AI helps streamline work processes that are repetitive and routine for increased efficiency. It frees up human resources so they can focus on more complex and creative work.

Healthcare

AI is used for medical image analysis like diagnosing diseases based on X-rays or MRIs. It can also help make risk predictions and act as a virtual health assistant.

Finance

AI is applied in the finance industry for fraud detection, algorithmic trading, credit scoring, and more.

Education

AI can help create personalized learning experiences for students, help automate grading, and recommend new educational content.

Customer Service

Customer service chatbots can operate 24/7 with the help of AI. AI virtual assistants can answer inquiries and assist with problem-solving.

Retail

AI can help with inventory management, create personalized shopping recommendations, and enhance overall customer shopping experience.

Natural Language Processing

NPL applications are capable of speech recognition, and language translation. It powers chatbots like ChatGPT that understand and generate human-like language.

Entertainment

AI can now create not only content recommendations but the content itself from gaming and generating art and music.

Smart Assistants

Virtual assistants use AI to understand and respond to user commands, perform tasks better, and adapt to users’ preferences through regular use.

Human Resources

AI can help human resource departments with resume screening, candidate matching, employee performance analysis, and more.

What Is An AI Detection Tool?

AI detection tools, just like other AI systems are trained and fed information. Its main purpose is to detect AI and it comes in various forms like an AI text detector, which AI Purity is, and an AI content detector. AI detection tools are important because their existence forces AI users to be accountable and lessens the probability of AI misuse. Now educators and professionals can ensure that AI is being used responsibly by workers and students by using these AI detection tools. It is not always visible to the naked eye whether content has been AI-generated. Especially since we know that AI is constantly learning and is used, the content it generates mimics human intelligence better each time making it virtually harder to detect with proper tools.

With the help of AI, these tools help automate the process of detection. Here are just some common types of AI detection tools.

  1. Image Recognition and Object Detection
    With AI tools, analyzing images and identifying objects, patterns, and features are easier. This is commonly used in facial recognition applications, object detection in photos, and security surveillance. This type of AI detection can also help detect AI-generated images that are becoming harder to spot on their own.
  2. Speech and Audio Recognition
    AI detection tools are capable of analyzing data by recognizing speech patterns and identifying specific words and phrases.
  3. Text and Natural Language Processing
    AI detection tools can understand text data, and detect language patterns, and specific information within text of large volumes. AI Purity is an AI text detector that is specifically designed to detect traces of AI within text.

AI detection also covers anomaly detection, malware detection, health monitoring, network intrusion detection systems, fraud detection, and quality control in manufacturing.

ethical and responsible use of AI

Use Artificial Intelligence Responsibly With AI Purity

Now that we understand what is artificial intelligence, it’s time to choose the best AI detector to go hand in hand with your AI use to ensure you use these systems responsibly and ethically. AI Purity was created with professionals and students in mind and to curb AI plagiarism in all professional settings. If you’re looking for reasons to trust AI Purity with your AI detection needs, look no further!

Transparency

At AI Purity, we strive for transparency by stating how accurate our system is, what our current limitations are, and understand the potential impact we have on our users. By providing our users with all the information they need, they can make better decisions and use AI more effectively and responsibly.

Fairness and Bias Mitigation

Understanding that biases may be included in the datasets we train our systems with, we make regular assessments to mitigate these biases that could come up during the deployment and development of our AI system.

User Privacy

We take our user’s privacy seriously and implement robust data protection measures to safeguard their data. We are very transparent about data collection practices and ensure our users that we do not store any of their information.

Data Security

AI Purity implements strong security measures to protect our AI system from unauthorized access, manipulation, and data breaches.

Trust only AI Purity for your AI detection needs. Not only do we provide users with elite AI detection capabilities, but we are committed to continually providing valuable information like discussing what is artificial intelligence, what artificial intelligence content writing is, and even how to properly bypass a plagiarism checker. Try out our basic version or upgrade for more perks like color-coded results and so much more.

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