What is Artificial Intelligence? It is a branch of computer science that deals with software, specifically the internet and technology used to control and manipulate it. Artificial intelligence is intelligence displayed by machines, rather than the human or animal intelligence shown by humans and other living things. The difference between the later and the earlier category can be illustrated easily by the term. Humans can reason, talk, think, use facial expressions and so on, whereas machines cannot. Today we are using Artificial Intelligence in almost every sphere of human endeavor from controlling factories to controlling our healthcare.
Machine Learning refers to the study of intelligence by means of deep nets, artificial intelligence networks and other artificial systems. Deep nets are neural networks. Narrowing down the scope a bit, machine learning deals with teaching a computer to recognize a particular set of labeled data or images. Deep learning deals more with real-time applications where a computer is taught only to perform a specific task, rather than instructing it to perform an entire series of tasks. Both machine learning and deep learning have their pros and cons.
One of the most common applications of artificial intelligence today is image recognition. This involves recognizing an image and retrieving additional information about it such as its title, description and tags. In case of natural language processing, a program is trained to read natural conversations and make inferences according to the given words. Image recognition programs such as Google’s image search and Microsoft’s speech recognition can do this.
Another popular application of artificial intelligence is the so-called deep learning. Deep learning deals more with an entire system of tools that teach a computer to recognize and execute a set of prescribed assignments. For example, a computer program is taught to recognize spoken words in a language and then to repeat them according to a given command. The most popular application of deep learning is the chatbot, a type of automated assistant that performs simple speech recognition requests like spelling a word or searching for the definition of a given phrase. Though chat bots are programmed to behave in all possible ways, the question whether these programs are intelligent enough to qualify for inclusion in decision-making centers is still up in the air.
Today’s computers are capable of learning without human intervention. Computer systems are able to solve many computing problems simply by receiving and feeding data into their internal memory. Such solutions can be seen in speech recognition software that takes speech input and analyzes it using databases and other internal memory mechanisms. This type of artificial intelligence allows the computer to solve problems that would otherwise be very difficult for it to handle.
Although there have been some major successes in machine learning, artificial intelligence has a long way to go before it can replace the work force completely. There are still many obstacles to be overcome before machines can replace typical desktop and laptop computers. Until recently, the best solution to these issues was to outsource the heavy lifting to a group of highly-qualified and experienced humans.
IBM recently announced that they had successfully trained the IBM Watson artificial intelligence supercomputer using thousands of IBM Watson Expert Advisors from the IBM Research Facility located in Silicon Valley. These experts were trained on Watson using the IBM Natural Resources Internet of Things (NRIIT) platform created by IBM. NRIIT allows developers to tap into an existing network of real-time sensors, devices, and applications that will allow the supercomputer to make intelligent, personalized decisions that are based on inputs from its own artificial intelligence system called the NeuroNet.
IBM’s strategy is to populate its artificially intelligent Watson systems with pre-trained expert advisors using the IBM NRIIT platform. As new projects are developed and executed the trained professionals will become available to the business via the company’s workforce management software called Job Skills Auto Manager (JSM). In essence this software will allow businesses to outsource routine tasks to the experts without worrying about whether or not they have the skills to perform the task, but rather if they can simply get the job done, then provide feedback on whether the task was successfully completed. The result is a business saving money while it continues to implement solutions in the most cost-effective way possible.
