Timothy Mixdorf Jr.
INF 103: Introduction to Computer Literacy
Theodore Fekete
June 27,2012
Artificial intelligence has been the dream of mankind since ancient times. In ancient Greek mythology the god Hephaestus manufactured mechanical servants, and the bronze man Talos. Authors Have written books about AI and movies have been made. But, just what is AI and how relevant is it to the everyday person? In the following text I will attempt to explain what artificial intelligence is, how far it has come, what relevance it plays in your life, and if or when the robots will rise up to take over the way popular media likes to portray.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of a computer system to process information in a manner similar to human thought or to exhibit humanlike behavior. AI is also a branch of computer science that strives to design systems with such capabilities. A computer with AI could perform such tasks as learning, understanding language, working toward goals, and perceiving the world through vision, hearing, and other senses. (World Book, 2012) Artificial Intelligence as we know it today had its start when the expression “artificial intelligence” was coined by John McCarthy in 1956, officially declaring the birth of the field at a meeting held at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire. Pamela McCorduck, very much an enthusiast of the field, has written a detailed history in which she includes many interviews. She explains how this meeting gathered some 10 young mathematicians, psychologists, and electrical engineers who wanted to study the mind independently of its material manifestation in brains. Their project was based on the hypothesis that all the characteristics of intelligence could in principle be described precisely enough to permit their machine simulation. These young researchers all shared
References: Litman, Diane J. "Artificial intelligence." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2012. Web. 27 June 2012. Artificial Intelligence. (2000). In Reader 's Guide to the History of Science. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/routhistscience/artificial_intelligence ORACLE ThinkQuest (1996). The History of Artificial Intelligence. Retrieved from http://library.thinkquest.org/2705/history.html Merriam Webster Dictionary. (n.d.). robot. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/robot Turner, Bambi. 10 Ways Artificial Intelligence Will Affect Our Lives. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://curiosity.discovery.com/topic/artificial-intelligence/ways-artificial-intelligence-will-affect-our-lives1.htm