2. Artificial Intelligence (AI): Machines That Think and Learn
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an experimental science focused on a profound goal: to create machines or software that can use language, form abstractions and concepts, solve problems currently reserved for humans, and even improve themselves. The term was first coined by John McCarthy, a Stanford University researcher who is widely regarded as the “father of Artificial Intelligence.”
AI is no longer science fiction; it is an active and integrated part of our technological world.
Examples of AI in Action
| Example | What it Does |
| Voice Recognition | Allows a computer system to understand and process human speech. |
| Image Interpretation | Enables a machine to analyze, understand, and draw conclusions from visual data. |
| Driverless Vehicles | Uses a suite of AI techniques to navigate and operate a vehicle autonomously. |
| Biometrics | Identifies individuals by analyzing unique biological traits like fingerprints or faces. |
AI is also the “brain” behind Robotics. A Robot is an electromechanical machine that is programmed to perform a series of tasks automatically. While robotics provides the physical body, AI provides the intelligence that allows a robot to perceive its environment and make decisions.
Just as AI gives machines the ability to process information, our next pillar provides the means for that information to be exchanged across vast distances.