Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer the stuff of science fiction.
Stanford Professor Andrew Ng has stated that “AI is the new electricity”.[1] In other words, it is a technology that has the potential to completely transform every major industry. Similarly, Executive Chairman of Alphabet Eric Schmidt has declared that “we are in the process of inventing the equivalent of oil”.[2]
AI has become a central focus for many leading tech firms. Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos has stated, “it is hard to overstate the impact AI will have”.[3] Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai has announced that we are moving to an “AI first world”.[4] IBM’s CEO Ginni Rometty stated that, “in 5 years, Watson A.I. will be behind your every decision.”[5] And, Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella has called AI “the ultimate breakthrough”.[6]
Despite the hype, AI also poses existential risks. A number of prominent figures have struck an apprehensive tone. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has likened AI to “summoning the demon”,[7] suggested that AI is “potentially more dangerous than nukes” [8] and that “AI superiority at [a] national level [is the] most likely cause of WW3”.[9] Microsoft’s Bill Gates has stated, “I … don’t understand why some people are not concerned.”[10] In a similar vein, the late Cambridge Physicist Stephen Hawking stated that “the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race”.[11]
To help us all understand this topic a little better, we have prepared a brief guide to artificial intelligence. The guide explores this topical issue, and tries to answer a few basic questions:
- What is artificial intelligence?
- Can we test a machine to see if it has become “intelligent”?
- What are the main areas of artificial intelligence research?
- What are the key historical milestones that have led us towards developing human-level artificial intelligence?
Designed for non-experts and written in an easy-to-read style. We are making the guide available for free. You can download it now!
[1] Copeland, Michael (2016) What’s the Difference Between Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning? Nvidia. [Online]. 29 July. Available from: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2016/07/29/whats-difference-artificial-intelligence-machine-learning-deep-learning-ai/
[2] Implications of AI for the Economy and Society [Online]. (2017) [Online]. The Beneficial AI Conference. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyfI_8ucZPA
[3] Amazon’s Bezos: Hard to overstate impact of AI. (2016) CNBC. Available from: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2016/06/01/amazons-bezos-hard-to-overstate-impact-of-ai.html
[4] Zerega, Blaise (2017) AI Weekly: Google shifts from mobile-first to AI-first world. [Online]. Venture Beat. 18 May. Available from: https://venturebeat.com/2017/05/18/ai-weekly-google-shifts-from-mobile-first-to-ai-first-world/
[5] Gaudin, Sharon (2016) IBM: In 5 years, Watson A.I. will be behind your every decision. [Online]. ComputerWorld. 27 October. Available from: https://www.computerworld.com/article/3135852/artificial-intelligence/ibm-in-5-years-watson-ai-will-be-behind-your-every-decision.html
[6] Sohini Mitter (2017) Microsoft CEO says artificial intelligence is the ‘ultimate breakthrough’. [Online]. Mashable Asia. 20 February. Available from: http://mashable.com/2017/02/20/microsoft-satya-nadella-artificial-intelligence-focus
[7] Elon Musk made these comments at the MIT Aeronautics and Astronautics department’s Centennial Symposium in October 2014.
[8] Musk, Elon (@elonmusk). ‘Worth reading Superintelligence by Bostrom. We need to be super careful with AI. Potentially more dangerous than nukes.’ 2 August 2014, 4:33pm. Tweet.
[9] Musk, Elon (@elonmusk). ‘China, Russia, soon all countries w strong computer science. Competition for AI superiority at national level most likely cause of WW3 imo.’ 4 September 2017, 2.33am. Tweet.
[10] Holley, Peter (2015) Bill Gates on dangers of artificial intelligence: ‘I don’t understand why some people are not concerned’ [Online]. The Washington Post. Available from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/01/28/bill-gates-on-dangers-of-artificial-intelligence-dont-understand-why-some-people-are-not-concerned/?utm_term=.ca402a596603
[11] Cellan-Jones, Rory (2014) Stephen Hawking warns artificial intelligence could end mankind. [Online]. BBC. 2 December. Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30290540
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