Shahbaz Rasheed Bhoru
Before describing artificial intelligence , it seems pertinent to define technology first.Technology, in its simplest terms, is the practical application of the human mind. Man, while performing his various tasks, has tended to synthesise methodologies, invent devices and instruments, and develop various systems so as to make their operation easier and more feasible.Since time immemorial, man has used the faculty of his mind for purposeful living, seeking ways to make the passage of life easier and more convenient. Technology evolved from the ancient to the classical and ultimately took the form of modern technology. As per the timeline of history, technology first of all incarnated itself in the invention of the wheel. Technology then manifested its presence in the Stone and iron age through stone & iron made implements and weapons.Then technology gradually got refined with the passage of time and ultimately revolutionized the world during industrial phase. This revolution projected the man to think ahead of his time,which eventually got crystallized in the form of modern and ultra modern technologies.
Modern technology remained mechanical for a long time, but it is now entering a new phase of digitality and virtuality. The digitalisation and virtualisation of technology can be observed in its new form, that is, artificial intelligence.AI is a technology that is fundamentally different from all previous forms of technology. AI is being regarded as the climax of human technology. As a term, AI is now widely used and has become much more popular than the terms associated with previous forms of technology. Almost everyone seems to be impacted by artificial intelligence, and the term has now become a common, almost bazaar term—a market term now a days.
Definition: Artificial intelligence is a branch of science in which machines are being trained and prepared to think, understand, and react like humans. To put it more simply, we can say that artificial intelligence is basically an attempt by scientists to humanize machines, devices, instruments, gadgets, and other technology-based hardware systems by incorporating software systems into them in the form of artificial neurons and other computational mechanisms. Its objective is to replicate the cognitive abilities exhibited by human beings.
History Of Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence did not come into existence overnight. Its foundation was laid in the mid-20th century, particularly around 1950.The roots of artificial intelligence can be traced back to the Second World War, when computers began to be used to perform complex tasks and make various operations easier. In 1943, Warren McCulloch and Walter Pitts presented the concept of artificial neural networks. They adopted a binary logic approach, portraying neural states as either on or off. Their mathematical model was inspired by the functioning of the human brain.
“Artificial Super intelligence (ASI) is a theoretical, advanced stage of AI that would surpass human intellect and capabilities. Operating independently and beyond human control, it could autonomously invent new technologies and innovate on its own.”
Another figure who immensely influenced the history of computing and artificial intelligence was Alan Turing, who introduced the concept of the Turing Test. The Turing Test is a measure of a machine’s ability to exhibit intelligent behaviour that is indistinguishable from that of a human. However, the term artificial intelligence was officially introduced during the Dartmouth Conference in 1956 by John McCarthy. This conference paved the way for a group of researchers to make the working of machines like human beings possible.In short, artificial intelligence passed through various stages of development and ultimately reached the phase in which it is operating today. The current phase of artificial intelligence is triggering discussions and speculations among experts about its positive and negative consequences and implications.
Types Of Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence is being viewed from three angles in present times, because of which it is generally divided into three types.
1….Narrow Artificial Intelligence: This artificial intelligence is operating nowadays, and is wholly under human control. It is very beneficial. It is specific in its function and is specialized for specific tasks like voice recognition, image analysis, and translating languages, writing purpose, reading texts, communicating with humans etc. Right now, most artificial intelligence systems we use fall under narrow or weak AI category. Some examples representing the usage of narrow AI are Siri or Google Assistant , Alexa, Chat boats like Chat GPT etc. They cannot function beyond the directed input from human beings, rather can make the operation of tasks for human beings very easy and feasible. Although Chat GPT and other chatboats are showing the symptoms of next phase of AI but still is working as per our command.
2. General Artificial Intelligence: Artificial General Intelligence, also known as Strong AI, is a hypothetical concept being contemplated by experts as a successor to Narrow AI. It is exactly akin to human intelligence. Human control over it may be partial. It would not require human training for the completion of a task. Rather, it would use previous learning and skills to accomplish the task. It would manage its various operations on its own.I understand it as ,man will be operating with the hardware of machines.
3.Super intelligent Artificial Intelligence : It is purely theoretical and is being foreseen as the highest phase in the evolution of artificial intelligence. It would surpass human intelligence and intellect, performing tasks beyond human capabilities. According to some experts, it could eventually operate beyond human control, allowing machines to explore, discover, and invent new technologies on their own. As mentioned earlier, it remains theoretical but is being foreseen as a possibility in the future.
(The author is a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
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