AI: Artificial Intelligence

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        What is artificial intelligence? Before I became a Computer Science major, I was pretty ignorant on the topic and could only imagine what I saw in movies: some man-made robot taking over the world. Thankfully, that is far from the truth; in fact, we have been using artificial intelligence for decades now.

        For example, when playing a video game that involves fighting an opponent, most likely that opponent is utilizing an AI system of some sort. In this way, the opponent's moves aren't already predetermined by the programmer but are dynamically determined by the AI. In other words, the opponent "thinks" on its own. However, there are obvious limitations to this system. It can still only act within boundaries established by the programmer's code. It isn't going to learn and become sentient and escape from the video game and destroy the world.

        In more practical ways, companies across the globe utilize AI to accomplish various tasks more efficiently and expediently. What's even cooler is what they have been able to do with AI that humans could not hope to do in a practical time period. For example, Google recently released their research into a new AI algorithm that predicts heart disease in a patient by looking at the patient's eyes. You can read more about that here. Not only are companies utilizing AI to improve medical fields, but more and more companies are buying into the AI industry to improve their products or better serve their customers. Even gym chains, such as Orangetheory, are cutting costs by taking advantage of Artificial Intelligence. Also, have you ever heard of Watson, the AI created by IBM? The question answering computer has moved beyond winning a game of Jeopardy! and IBM hopes to move towards medical and legal applications.

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        So, before freaking about a potential robot apocalypse or just feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of AI, just remember that you may be using an Artificial Intelligence one day in your profession, and you will most likely be grateful.