What are the different types of artificial intelligence?

Artificial intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence by computer systems. Concretely, AI allows machines to reproduce traits specific to the human species such as the faculty of reflection, creativity and planning. It is used in many fields such as medicine, automotive, marketing or even agriculture. From its evolution to its typology through its operation and its applications, discover the essentials to know about artificial intelligence.

The evolution of artificial intelligence since its creation

In reality, artificial intelligence is not a recent invention. According to several observers, this technology was born in the late 1950s. Alan Turing and John Von Neumann are known to be the founding fathers of AI. Nevertheless, despite the plethora of scientists who are interested in it, this science did not experience great advances during the end of the 20th century.

This era is dubbed “the winters of AI”. The insignificant financing granted to the sector constitutes one of the reasons which explain this trial and error. Nevertheless, the internet boom in the early 2000s will considerably change this situation. Indeed, new technologies are becoming a priority for politicians and many companies are injecting funds into them. From that moment on, artificial intelligence experienced a meteoric and unprecedented boom. multiple programs are developed to revolutionize all sectors of activity.

During the year 2017, AI is entering a crucial phase in its development. Indeed, scientists have managed to use machines to identify words in oral conversation. This breakthrough has opened up new perspectives for voice recognition and machine translation.

In January 2018, artificial intelligence achieved a huge feat by surpassing humans in reading and comprehension tests organized by the University of Stamford. This breakthrough will allow this technology tointeract more naturally and easy with humans in the next few years.

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The three types of artificial intelligence

Currently, there are 3 different types of artificial intelligence. However, each form of AI has its own particularity and importance.

Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI)

This form of artificial intelligence is also called weak AI or narrow AI. This is the only type of artificial intelligence that scientists have been able to put in place so far. It is oriented towards a specific objective. Indeed, it is designed to perform unique tasks such as:

• facial recognition,
• assisted driving of a car,
• voice assistants,
• searching on the internet…

Narrow AI performs the precise tasks for which it is programmed to perfection. Even though the machines of this AI may give the impression of being intelligent, their operation is subject to a set of limitations and constraints. It is precisely for this reason that it is described as “weak”. In practice, Narrow Artificial Intelligence does not seek to imitate or replicate human intelligence exactly. This technology only simulate human behavior based on a narrow range of settings and contexts.

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

Unlike ANI, artificial general intelligence is at the height of the capacities of the human brain. Thus, it is qualified as strong AI or deep AI. Concretely, it imitates human intelligence or behavior. This AI is able to learn skills and then use its intelligence to solve various problems.

Moreover, the AGI can think, understand and act exactly as a human being would in a specific situation. However, researchers and scientists in the field of AI have failed to design deep AI. To achieve this technology, they must develop techniques to make machines aware. This includes programming a full set of cognitive abilities.

Ultimately, thegeneral artificial intelligence leverages an AI framework that builds on theory of mind. Otherwise, it consists of training computer systems to act like human beings and not to reproduce or simulate their behavior.

Artificial superintelligence (ASI)

This type of AI has capabilities that are significantly superior to those of humans. In this hypothetical technology, machines will not just imitate or understand human intelligence. In fact, they acquire mindfulness of themselves and surpass the limits of human intelligence and abilities.

The artificial intelligence is constantly evoked in dystopian science fiction. This concept advocates the evolution of AI to such an extent that it can manage to arouse emotions, needs, beliefs and desires specific to it. According to the researchers, the ASI should be better than men in all areas (mathematics, science, sports, medicine, art, emotional relationships, etc.).

How does artificial intelligence work?

Like human intelligence, artificial intelligence also works thanks to a network of interconnected neurons. In reality, AI researchers have designed equations with variable parameters or settings. Connected to each other, these equations make it possible to achieve artificial intellectual stimulation.

In concrete terms, the knowledge and capabilities of AI come from equations, which are also referred to as operating units. These reinforce each other permanently and work together. Therefore, this artificial neural network gathers the data or information that the human wishes to process and exploit.

In practice, equations are used to perform the extraction of the most useful data. The interconnected neural networks make the functioning of AI similar to that of the human brain. Thus, as it identifies, learns, experiments and analyzes data, artificial intelligence optimizes its performance over time. It therefore gradually improves its sensory or motor abilities. It is the principle of machine-learning or independent learning.

What applications for artificial intelligence?

Nowadays, AI has conquered all sectors of human activity. She considerably improves our daily lives and how businesses operate. Here are examples of concrete uses of AI in certain fields.

In the field of medicine

AI is being used in the healthcare industry to improve the quality of patient care. Currently, it allows doctors and nursing staff to carry out operations assisted by machines. In addition, computer programs capable of early diagnosis of cancers and mental illnesses have been developed.

In the streaming industry

Artificial intelligence is at the heart of the policy of streaming platforms such as YouTube, Spotify and Deezer. Thanks to AI, these platforms can suggest visual content, music or podcasts related to your tastes. Concretely, this technology closely follows the videos and music that you are used to listening to offer you similar content.

In the field of finance

Many banks and financial institutions use AI tools to identify fraudulent maneuvers and challenge their perpetrators. Similarly, in the banking sector, this technology makes it possible to analyze customer habits in order to understand their preferences and requirements. This is indeed useful to improve the services offered to customers.