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What is AI? Everything to know about artificial intelligence

We cover everything that makes up the technology, from machine learning and LLMs to general AI and neural networks, and
how to use it.

Written by Radhika Rajkumar, Editor

June 5, 2024 at 11:29 a.m. PT

Weiquan Lin/Getty Images

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What is artificial intelligence?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a concept that refers to a machine's ability to perform a task that would've previously required
human intelligence. It's been around since the 1950s, and its definition has been modified over decades of research and
technological advancements.

Today, AI powers self-driving cars, laptops, chatbots like ChatGPT, and image generators. So what is it, and how does it work?

The phrase AI comes from the idea that if intelligence is inherent to organic life, its existence elsewhere makes it artificial.
Computer scientist Alan Turing was one of the first to explore the idea that machines could use information and logic to make
decisions as people do. He coined the Turing test, which compares machine ability to human ability to see if people can detect
it as artificial (convincing deepfakes are an example of AI passing the Turing test).

Basic computing systems function because programmers code them to do specific tasks. AI, on the other hand, is only
possible when computers can store information, including past commands, similar to how the human brain learns by storing
skills and memories. This ability makes AI systems capable of adapting and performing new skills for tasks they weren't
explicitly programmed to do.

Also: ChatGPT vs. Microsoft Copilot vs. Gemini: Which is the best AI chatbot?

Some experts define intelligence as the ability to adapt, solve problems, plan, improvise in new situations, and learn new
things. Though these systems aren't a replacement for human intelligence or social interaction, today's AI systems
demonstrate some traits found in human intelligence, including learning, problem-solving, pattern-finding, perception, and
even a limited spectrum of creativity and social awareness.

Also: The best AI image generators to try right now

Of course, an important component of human intelligence is something that AI hasn't been able to replicate yet: context. For
example, Google AI lacks real-world logic and can't discern human subtleties like sarcasm and humor, as evidenced by the
technology advising you to add glue to pizza sauce to help the cheese stick or use gasoline to make spaghetti spicy. These
examples are lower stakes, but an AI system taking action without semantic understanding can have major consequences in
the wrong situation.

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How can I use AI?

Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty Images

AI has a slew of possible applications, many of which are now widely available in everyday life. At the consumer level, this
potential includes the newly revamped Google Search, wearables, and even vacuums. The smart speakers on your mantle with
Alexa or Google voice assistant built-in are also great examples of AI.

Popular AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Microsoft's Copilot, and Claude can be used for conversational questions or tasks, like
breaking down concepts, drafting emails or project outlines, and even writing creative stories. But because AI models cannot
tell fact from fiction, these chatbots tend to hallucinate or make things up -- where applicable, always verify the statements a
chatbot makes with independent research, especially if you're unsure about the quality of its citations.

Also: How does ChatGPT work?

A major function of AI in consumer products is personalization, whether for targeted ads or biometric security. This is why your
phone can distinguish your face from someone else's when you're unlocking it with Face ID, for example -- it's learned what
yours looks like by referencing billions of other people's faces and matching specific data points.

On a bigger scale, marketing and content teams can use AI to streamline production, while developers write and execute code
with it. AI can also exponentially increase the speed and efficiency of medical research.

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What is machine learning (ML)?

Bing Image Creator/ZDNET

Machine learning (ML) refers to the process of training a set of algorithms on large amounts of data to recognize patterns,
which helps make predictions and decisions. This pattern-seeking enables systems to automate tasks they haven't been
explicitly programmed to do, which is the biggest differentiator of AI from other computer science topics. This capability is what
many refer to as AI, but ML is a subset of AI.

When data is structured, or organized, a system can more easily detect an anomaly -- for example, when a transaction on your
credit card is from a part of the world it's not used to seeing in your activity.

Also: What is machine learning? Everything you need to know

Examples of ML include search engines, image and speech recognition, and fraud detection. Similar to Face ID, when users
upload photos to Facebook, the social network's image recognition can analyze the images, recognize faces, and make
recommendations to tag the friends it's identified. With time, practice, and more image data, the system hones this skill and
becomes more accurate.

How does machine learning work?

Machine learning is generally split into two main categories: supervised and unsupervised learning.

Supervised learning

This common technique for teaching AI systems uses annotated data or data labeled and categorized by humans. ML systems
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are then fed this data to learn patterns.
Suppose you wanted to train an ML model to recognize and differentiate images of circles and squares. In that case, you'd
gather a large dataset of images of circles (like photos of planets, wheels, and other circular objects) and squares (tables,
whiteboards, etc.), complete with labels for what each shape is.

The algorithm would then learn from this labeled collection of images to distinguish the shapes and their characteristics: in this
case, circles don't have corners, and squares have four equal-length sides. The system can then see a new image and
determine the shapes.

Unsupervised learning

By contrast, unsupervised learning lets algorithms try to identify patterns in unlabeled data by looking for similarities that it can
use to categorize the data.

The algorithms aren't programmed in advance to pick out specific types of data; they simply look for data with similarities that
they can group -- for example, segmenting customers based on shopping behavior to target them with personalized marketing
campaigns.

Also: Machine learning is going real-time: Here's why and how

Reinforcement learning

In reinforcement learning, the system is trained to maximize a reward based on input data, going through a trial-and-error
process until it arrives at the best possible outcome.

Imagine training a system to play a video game. The system can receive a positive reward if it gets a higher score and a
negative reward for a low score. The system learns to analyze the game and make moves, learning solely from the rewards it
receives. It can eventually play by itself and learn to achieve a high score without human intervention.

Reinforcement learning is also used in research, where it can help teach autonomous robots the optimal way to behave in real-
world environments. Robots learning to navigate new environments they haven't ingested data on -- like maneuvering around
surprise obstacles -- is an example of more advanced ML that can be considered AI.

What are the different types of AI?

Artificial intelligence can be divided into three subcategories: narrow AI, general AI, and super AI.

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What is narrow AI?

June Wan/ZDNET

Artificial narrow intelligence (ANI) refers to intelligent systems designed or trained to carry out specific tasks or solve particular
problems without being explicitly designed. This type of AI is crucial to voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant.

ANI is sometimes called weak AI, as it doesn't possess general intelligence. But that doesn't mean it isn't powerful in its own
right. In addition to voice assistants, image-recognition systems, technologies that respond to simple customer service
requests, and tools that flag inappropriate content online are examples of ANI.

ChatGPT is also an example of ANI, as it is programmed to perform a specific task: generate text responses to prompts it's
given.

Also: Microsoft Copilot Pro vs. OpenAI's ChatGPT Plus

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What is general AI?

Yuichiro Chino/Getty Images

Artificial general intelligence (AGI), or strong AI, is still a hypothetical concept as it involves a machine understanding and
autonomously performing vastly different tasks based on accumulated experience. This type of intelligence is more on the level
of human intellect, as AGI systems would be able to reason and think more like people do.

Also: AI's true goal may no longer be intelligence

Like a human, AGI could potentially understand any intellectual task, think abstractly, learn from its experiences, and use that
knowledge to solve new problems. Essentially, we're talking about a system or machine capable of common sense, which is
currently unachievable with any available AI.

Developing a system with consciousness is still, presumably, a fair way in the distance, but it is the ultimate goal of AI research.
OpenAI hints that its forthcoming GPT-5 will get us closer to AGI.

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What is super AI?

Yuichiro Chino/Moment via Getty Images

Artificial superintelligence (ASI) would be a machine intelligence that surpasses all forms of human intelligence and
outperforms humans in every function. A system like this wouldn't just rock humankind to its core -- it could also destroy it. If
that sounds like something straight out of a science fiction novel, it's because it kind of is.

Also: Mechanics of the future: Meet the specialists assembling AI

An intelligent system that can learn and continuously improve itself is still a hypothetical concept. However, if applied effectively
and ethically, the system could lead to extraordinary progress and achievements in medicine, technology, and more.

What are some recent examples of AI?

Some of the most impressive advancements in AI are the development and release of GPT 3.5 and, most recently, GPT-4o, in
addition to lifelike AI avatars and deepfakes. But there have been many other revolutionary achievements in AI -- too many to
include here.

Here are some of the most notable.

ChatGPT (and the GPTs)

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot capable of generating and translating natural language and answering questions. Though it's
arguably the most popular AI tool, thanks to its widespread accessibility, OpenAI made significant waves in artificial intelligence
by creating GPTs 1, 2, and 3 before releasing ChatGPT.
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Also: 6 ways ChatGPT can make your everyday life easier

GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer, and GPT-3 was the largest language model at its 2020 launch, with 175
billion parameters. Then came GPT-3.5, which powers the free tier of ChatGPT. The largest version, GPT-4, accessible through
the free version of ChatGPT, ChatGPT Plus, and Microsoft Copilot, has one trillion parameters.

Self-driving cars

Though the safety of self-driving cars is a top concern for potential users, the technology continues to advance and improve
with breakthroughs in AI. These vehicles use ML algorithms to combine data from sensors and cameras to perceive their
surroundings and determine the best course of action.

Also: An autonomous car that wakes up and greets you could be in your future

The autopilot feature in Tesla's electric vehicles is probably what most people think of when considering self-driving cars. But
Waymo, from Google's parent company Alphabet, also makes autonomous rides -- as a driverless taxi, for example, or to
deliver Uber Eats -- in San Francisco, CA, and Phoenix, AZ.

Cruise is another robotaxi service, and auto companies like Audi, GM, and Ford are also presumably working on self-driving
vehicle technology.

Robotics

The achievements of Boston Dynamics stand out in the area of AI and robotics. Though we're still a long way from creating
Terminator-level AI technology, watching Boston Dyanmics' hydraulic, humanoid robots use AI to navigate and respond to
different terrains is impressive.

DeepMind

Google subsidiary DeepMind is an AI pioneer focusing on AGI. Though not there yet, the company made headlines in 2016 for
creating AlphaGo, an AI system that beat the world's best (human) professional Go player.

Since then, DeepMind has created AlphaFold, a system that can predict the complex 3D shapes of proteins. It has also
developed programs to diagnose eye diseases as effectively as top doctors.

Also: What is generative AI and why is it so popular? Here's everything you need to know

What are large language models?

A predominant example of AI is large language models (LLMs). These models use unsupervised machine learning and are
trained on massive amounts of text to learn how human language works. Tech companies often scrape these texts from the
internet for free to keep costs down -- they include articles, books, content from websites and forums, and more.

In the training process, LLMs process billions of words and phrases to learn patterns and relationships between them, enabling
the models to generate human-like answers to prompts.

But again, keep in mind that these models are replicating common grammatical patterns and word pairings, albeit at a
sophisticated level -- they aren't thinking like we do, in the sense that they cannot understand fact, logic, or common sense.

Also: AI will unleash the next level of human potential. Here's how
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OpenAI's recently released GPT-4o tops the Chatbot Arena leaderboard as of now. The company's GPT-4 Turbo is considered
one of the most advanced LLMs, while GPT-4 is the largest LLM at supposedly 1.78 trillion parameters. ChatGPT runs on both
GPT-3.5 and GPT-4. Gemini is powered by an LLM of the same name developed by Google, and while its number of parameters
hasn't been confirmed, it's estimated to be as many as 175 trillion.

Chatbot Arena Update!

1. Multilingual Arena -- four new languages (German, Spanish, Russian,
Japanese).
GPT-4o is #1 in English, German, and Spanish. Gemini-1.5-Pro is #1 in Japanese,
Chinese, and French. Claude-3 Opus is #1 in Russian. The competition is tight,
and we need… pic.twitter.com/RlNqh0XmMM

— lmsys.org (@lmsysorg) June 3, 2024

What are neural networks?

picture alliance/Contributor/Getty Images

The success of machine learning relies on neural networks. These are mathematical models whose structure and functioning
are loosely based on the connections between neurons in the human brain, mimicking how they signal to one another.

Imagine a group of robots that are working together to solve a puzzle. Each is programmed to recognize a different shape or
color in the puzzle pieces. A neural network is like a group of robots combining their abilities to solve the puzzle together.

Neural networks can tweak internal parameters to change what they output. Each is fed databases to learn what it should put
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out when presented with certain data during training.
Also: Six skills you need to become an AI prompt engineer

These networks comprise interconnected layers of algorithms that feed data into each other. Neural networks can be trained to
perform specific tasks by modifying the importance attributed to data as it passes between layers. During the training of these
neural networks, the weights attached to data as it passes between layers will continue to be varied until the output from the
neural network is very close to what is desired.

At that point, the network will have 'learned' how to carry out a particular task. The desired output could be anything from
correctly labeling fruit in an image to predicting when an elevator might fail based on its sensor data.

What is deep learning?

Deep learning is part of the ML family and involves training artificial neural networks with three or more layers to perform
different tasks. These neural networks are expanded into sprawling networks with a large number of deep layers that are
trained using massive amounts of data.

Deep learning models tend to have more than three layers at least and can have hundreds of layers at most. Deep learning can
use supervised or unsupervised learning or both in training processes.

Also: What is deep learning? Everything you need to know

Because deep learning technology can learn to recognize complex patterns in data using AI, it is often used in natural
language processing (NLP), speech recognition, and image recognition.

What is conversational AI?

Conversational AI refers to systems programmed to have conversations with a user and are trained to listen (input) and
respond (output) in a conversational manner. Conversational AI uses NLP to understand and respond naturally.

Also: Why conversational AI is now ready for prime time

Some examples of conversational AI are chatbots like Gemini, smart speakers with a voice assistant like Amazon Alexa, or
virtual assistants on your smartphone like Siri.

What AI services are available to use?

Consumers and businesses alike have a wealth of AI services available to expedite tasks and add convenience to day-to-day
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life -- you probably have something in your home that uses AI in some capacity.
Here are some common examples of AI available to the public, both free and for a cost:

Voice assistants: Amazon Alexa on the Echo device on your shelf, Apple's Siri on your iPhone, and Google Assistant on a
Pixel device all use natural language processing to understand and respond to your questions or commands.
Chatbots: AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Perplexity are another form of virtual assistant that can interact with
people and, in some cases, hold human-like conversations, even mimicking empathy and concern.
Language translation: Services like Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, Amazon Translate, and ChatGPT use machine
learning to translate text.
Productivity: Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 is a great example of an LLM used as an AI productivity tool embedded
within Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Teams, and more to automate tasks. For example, simply entering 'Email the
team about the latest status on the project' will trigger Copilot to automatically gather information from emails and
documents to generate a text with your request.
Image and video recognition: Different programs use AI to find information about the content in images and videos, such
as faces, text, and objects. Clarifai, which employs machine learning to organize unstructured data from sources, and
Amazon Rekognition, an AWS service that lets users upload images to receive information, are two examples of this.
Software development: Many developers have been using ChatGPT to write and debug code for over a year, but many
other AI tools are available to make a programmer's job easier. One example is the AI pair programmer GitHub Copilot by
OpenAI Codex, a generative language model that can write code faster with less effort by autocompleting comments and
code instantly.
Building a business: Many companies are creating AI tools specifically for businesses, like OpenAI's GPT-4 API,
or Amazon Bedrock, a suite of cloud-based AI tools for developers.

Also: The best free AI courses (and whether AI 'micro-degrees' and certificates are worth it)

What company is leading the AI race?

With generative AI taking off, several companies are working competitively in the space -- both legacy tech firms and startups.
While each is developing too quickly for there to be a static leader, here are some of the major players.

OpenAI

Unsurprisingly, OpenAI has made a huge impact in AI after making its powerful generative AI tools available for free, including
ChatGPT and Dall-E 3, an AI image generator.

Also: Have 10 hours? IBM will train you in AI fundamentals - for free

Anthropic

Anthropic created Claude, a powerful group of LLMs, and is considered a primary competitor of OpenAI. The company focuses
on safety and ethical concerns in its AI research.

Alphabet

Google's parent company, Alphabet, has its hands in several different AI systems through companies including DeepMind,
Waymo, and Google.

Also: Ready to upskill? Look to the edge (where it's not all about AI)
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Google had a rough start in the AI chatbot race with an underperforming tool called Google Bard, originally powered by LaMDA.
The company then switched the LLM behind Bard twice -- the first time for PaLM 2, and then for Gemini, the LLM currently
powering it. With the last change, Google also renamed the bot Bard for Gemini.

Also: What is Gemini? Everything you should know about Google's new AI model

DeepMind continues to pursue AGI. It's developed machine-learning models for Document AI, optimized the viewer
experience on Youtube, made AlphaFold available for researchers worldwide, and more.

Though you may not hear of Alphabet's AI endeavors in the news every day, its work in deep learning and AI in general has the
potential to change the future for human beings.

Microsoft

Aside from creating Microsoft Copilot, the company provides a suite of AI tools for developers on Azure, such as platforms for
developing machine learning, data analytics, conversational AI, and customizable APIs that achieve human parity in computer
vision, speech, and language.

Also: Microsoft CEO Nadella: 'Expect us to incorporate AI in every layer of the stack'

Microsoft has also invested heavily in OpenAI's development. The tech giant uses GPT-4 in Copilot, formerly known as Bing
chat, and in an advanced version of Dall-E 3 to generate images through Microsoft Designer.

Apple

Apple has also entered the space most recently with its AI-upgraded line of iPads and potential new announcements to come
at WWDC.

Other companies

Other firms are making strides in artificial intelligence, including Baidu, Alibaba, Cruise, Lenovo, Tesla, and more.

How will AI change the world?

At the rate and scale it's being applied, AI will impact how we work, shop, and consume media, and our privacy, our health, and
more. As with most historical shifts, the benefits, downsides, and potential harms are mixed.

Every advancement in technology has changed the nature of work. By automating certain tasks, AI is transforming the day-to-
day work lives of people across industries, and creating new roles (and rendering some obsolete). In creative fields, for
example, generative AI reduces the cost, time, and human input to make marketing and video content.

Also: 12 reasons AI taking on more work doesn't mean it replaces you

AI is increasingly playing a role in our healthcare systems and medical research. The technology could help make care more
scalable and accessible. Doctors and radiologists could make cancer diagnoses using fewer resources, spot genetic
sequences related to diseases, and identify molecules that could lead to more effective medications, potentially saving
countless lives.

Also: How AI hallucinations could help create life-saving antibiotics

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The tech is also creating new questions about how we keep all kinds of data -- even our thoughts -- private. AI has made facial
recognition and surveillance commonplace, causing many experts to advocate banning it altogether. At the same time that AI
is heightening privacy and security concerns, the technology is also enabling companies to make strides in
cybersecurity software.

As models -- and the companies that build them -- get more powerful, users call for more transparency around how they're
created, and at what cost. The practice of companies scraping images and text from the internet to train their models has
prompted a still-unfolding legal conversation around licensing creative material.

Neural networks can be used to realistically replicate someone's voice or likeness without their consent, making deepfakes and
misinformation a present concern, especially for upcoming elections.

Because AI makes automation so easy on a large scale, researchers and tech employees share concerns about its role in
weapons manufacturing and warfare.

Also: The ethics of generative AI: How we can harness this powerful technology

Will an AI steal your job?

The possibility of artificially intelligent systems replacing a considerable chunk of modern labor is a credible near-future
possibility.

While commonplace AI won't replace all jobs, what seems certain is that AI will change the nature of work, with the only
question being how rapidly and profoundly automation will alter the workplace.

Also: These are the jobs most likely to be taken over by AI

However, artificial intelligence can't run independently. While many jobs with routine, repetitive data work might be automated,
workers in other jobs can use tools like generative AI to become more productive and efficient.

There is a broad range of opinions among AI experts about how quickly artificially intelligent systems will surpass human
capabilities.

Also: Can AI be a team player in collaborative software development?

artificial intelligence

Transparency is sorely lacking amid What is a Chief AI Officer, and how do How Adobe manages AI ethics concerns 6 ways O
growing AI interest you become one? while fostering creativity ChatGPT

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