The Top 5 Best Definitions of Artificial Intelligence That You Need to Know
From Siri and Cortana to self-driving cars, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our lives. But what exactly is AI? With so many opinions out there, it can be tough to know where to look for a clear definition.
In this article, we’ve rounded up the top five best definitions of artificial intelligence to help you understand this complex and fascinating field.
1. John McCarthy’s Definition
One of the earliest and most influential definitions of AI was proposed by John McCarthy, a computer scientist who co-founded the concept of AI in 1956. McCarthy defined artificial intelligence as “the science and engineering of making intelligent machines.”
This definition highlights the idea that AI aims to create machines that can perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning, and problem-solving.
2. Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig’s Definition
Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig are well-known AI researchers who co-wrote the popular AI textbook, Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach. In their book, they define AI as “the study of agents that receive percepts from the environment and take actions that affect that environment.”
This definition emphasizes the idea that AI is all about creating machines that can perceive the world around them, make decisions based on that perception, and take appropriate actions.
3. IBM Watson’s Definition
IBM Watson is a powerful AI system that has been making headlines for years thanks to its impressive applications in healthcare, finance, and other industries. According to IBM, Watson defines AI as “a set of algorithms and intelligence inspired by the human brain designed to perform cognitive tasks.”
This definition highlights the idea that AI is inspired by the way our brains work, and aims to replicate that intelligence in machines.
4. Demis Hassabis’ Definition
Demis Hassabis is the CEO of DeepMind, an AI research company that was acquired by Google in 2015. According to Hassabis, AI can be defined as “the science of making machines smart.”
This definition emphasizes the idea that AI is all about creating machines that can learn, adapt, and make decisions on their own.
5. Nils J. Nilsson’s Definition
Nils J. Nilsson is a pioneering AI researcher who has been working in the field for more than 50 years. According to Nilsson, AI can be defined as “activity devoted to making machines intelligent, and intelligence is that quality that enables an entity to function appropriately and with foresight in its environment.”
This definition highlights the idea that AI is all about creating machines that can function effectively in the world around them, making decisions and taking actions based on their environment.
Conclusion
Artificial intelligence is a complex and dynamic field that can be challenging to define. However, by exploring these top five definitions of AI, we can gain a better understanding of what this exciting field is all about.
Whether we focus on creating machines that can reason, learn, perceive the world around them, or make decisions on their own, the overarching goal of AI is to create intelligent machines that can help us solve complex problems and improve our lives in countless ways.
