Artificial intelligence | Psychology for UPSC Optional (Notes) PDF Download

Unlocking the Potential of Computer Systems to Mimic Human Intelligence

Since the advent of computers, their capabilities have grown exponentially, evolving in terms of diverse working domains, increased speed, and reduced size. Artificial Intelligence (AI), a branch of Computer Science, aims to create intelligent machines that can match human cognitive abilities. According to John McCarthy, known as the father of AI, it is "The science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs."

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence is the pursuit of making computers, computer-controlled robots, and software capable of intelligent thinking, akin to human cognition. AI researchers study how the human brain functions, learns, makes decisions, and solves problems. They then utilize this knowledge to develop intelligent software and systems.

The Philosophy of AI

Driven by curiosity, humans pondered whether machines could think and behave like humans. This contemplation sparked the development of AI, with the aim of replicating human-like intelligence in machines.

Goals of AI

The goals of AI can be summarized as follows:

• Creating Expert Systems: These systems exhibit intelligent behavior, learn, demonstrate, explain, and provide advice to users.
• Implementing Human Intelligence in Machines: AI strives to develop systems that understand, think, learn, and behave like humans.

Contributors to AI

Artificial Intelligence is a multidisciplinary field that draws upon various domains, including Computer Science, Biology, Psychology, Linguistics, Mathematics, and Engineering. The primary focus of AI lies in developing computer functions that emulate human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning, and problem-solving. The following areas contribute to building intelligent systems:

Computer Programming: With and Without AI

• Programming Without AI: These programs can answer specific questions they are designed to solve.
• Programming With AI: These programs can answer general questions and adapt to modifications without affecting their structure.

Understanding AI Techniques

In the real world, knowledge possesses certain characteristics:

• Its volume is immense, almost unimaginable.
• It lacks organization and formatting.
• It undergoes constant changes.

AI techniques provide an efficient way to organize and utilize knowledge. The key aspects of effective AI techniques include:

• Perceivability: The knowledge should be understandable to those who provide it.
• Modifiability: It should be easily adjustable to correct errors.
• Utility: It should be applicable in various situations, even if it is incomplete or inaccurate.

Moreover, AI techniques enhance the execution speed of complex programs they are integrated with.

Applications of AI

AI has made significant contributions to numerous fields, including:

• Gaming: AI plays a crucial role in strategic games such as chess, poker, and tic-tac-toe, enabling machines to analyze vast numbers of possible positions based on heuristic knowledge.
• Natural Language Processing: AI facilitates interaction with computers that understand human-spoken language.
• Expert Systems: These applications integrate machine, software, and specialized information to provide reasoning and advice, offering explanations and guidance to users.
• Vision Systems: AI enables systems to understand, interpret, and comprehend visual input, such as aerial photographs used to extract spatial information or map areas.
• Speech Recognition: Intelligent systems can comprehend human language, including different accents, slang words, background noise, and variations caused by factors like cold.
• Handwriting Recognition: AI-powered software can interpret handwritten text, recognizing the shapes of letters and converting them into editable text.
• Intelligent Robots: Robots equipped with AI can perform tasks assigned by humans. They have sensors to detect physical data, efficient processors, multiple sensors, and vast memory to exhibit intelligence. They can learn from mistakes and adapt to new environments.

A Glimpse into AI's Historical Journey

The history of AI throughout the 20th century highlights key milestones and innovations:

• 1923: Karel Čapek's play "Rossum's Universal Robots" (RUR) introduces the word "robot" in English.
• 1943: Foundations for neural networks are laid.
• 1945: Isaac Asimov, a Columbia University alumnus, coins the term "Robotics."
• 1950: Alan Turing introduces the Turing Test to evaluate intelligence and publishes "Computing Machinery and Intelligence." Claude Shannon publishes "Detailed Analysis of Chess Playing" as a search.
• 1956: John McCarthy coins the term "Artificial Intelligence" and demonstrates the first running AI program at Carnegie Mellon University.
• 1958: John McCarthy invents the LISP programming language for AI.
• 1964: Danny Bobrow's dissertation at MIT shows that computers can understand natural language well enough to solve algebra word problems accurately.
• 1965: Joseph Weizenbaum at MIT builds ELIZA, an interactive program that engages in dialogue in English.
• 1969: Scientists at Stanford Research Institute develop Shakey, a robot capable of locomotion, perception, and problem-solving.
• 1973: The Assembly Robotics group at Edinburgh University builds Freddy, the Famous Scottish Robot, capable of using vision for locating and assembling models.
• 1979: The first computer-controlled autonomous vehicle, Stanford Cart, is built.
• 1985: Harold Cohen creates and demonstrates the drawing program, Aaron.
• 1990: Major advances in all areas of AI are witnessed, including machine learning, case-based reasoning, multi-agent planning, scheduling, data mining, web crawling, natural language understanding and translation, vision, virtual reality, and games.
• 1997: The Deep Blue Chess Program defeats the reigning world chess champion, Garry Kasparov.
• 2000: Interactive robot pets become commercially available. MIT displays Kismet, a robot capable of displaying emotions. The robot Nomad explores remote regions of Antarctica and locates meteorites.

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence has revolutionized the capabilities of computer systems, unlocking their potential to simulate human intelligence. From expert systems to intelligent robots, AI has found applications across various domains. With continuous advancements, AI continues to push the boundaries of what machines can achieve, propelling us into a future where intelligent machines coexist and collaborate with humans.