Artificial Intelligence: The Dawn of a New Era by Dimithri Ranasinghe

Artificial Intelligence has been advancing at a significant rate in the last few years as humankind began to dig deep into it. The never-satisfying curiosity of humans has pushed the limits to a new level, and it's the dawn of a new era: the Era of Artificial Intelligence.

Although the hype of AI is new, the concept of AI is not. It dates back to the 20th century, into research papers, scientific theories, and science fiction. Scientists spent years of research trying to bring AI to life, yet they failed for years. But the consistent efforts of humankind reached their goal. During recent years, scientists reached a threshold, had a huge breakthrough, and opened up ways to harness the power of AI. Humans brought AI to life.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence is simply the simulation of human cognitive abilities by machines – computer systems.

How AI works

Labelled training datasets are fed to an AI system. It processes and analyzes data, looking for correlations and patterns, and uses these patterns to make predictions and decisions. For example, an image recognition tool learns to identify and describe objects by reviewing tons of examples. AI uses techniques such as Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (a subset of ML which uses Artificial Neural Networks) to process and learn. AI programming mainly focuses on cognitive abilities such as learning, reasoning, self-correction, and creativity. Often, humans supervise the AI learning process, but there are AIs capable of self-learning. They learn by the trial and error method (learning by doing) – for example, by playing a video game until they eventually figure out the rules and how to win.

Weak AI (ANI) and Strong AI (AGI)

The AI we practically use at present is referred to as Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), which is also referred to as Weak or Limited AI. Narrow AI performs or focuses on specific tasks that are limited. Industrial Robots, Self-driving Cars, Virtual Assistants, and Chatbots are forms of Narrow AI. 

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is considered to be Strong AI. An AI system that replicates the generalized human cognitive abilities (intelligence) is defined as AGI. It is capable of finding solutions to unfamiliar tasks or problems autonomously, much like a human does. It is capable of performing as well as or even better than humans. AGI represents an intelligent system with a full set of cognitive computing capabilities and self-awareness (conscious of itself). AGI exists in science fiction and theoretical science as of now. But current AI systems are advancing towards AGI, and we will be able to witness AGI within a decade. Examples of AGI are Robots in Westworld and AI, "Ava" from Ex Machina, and Android "Data" in Star Trek.

Super AI (ASI)

AI systems that exceed the capabilities of the human mind in every capacity, AI systems with intellectual powers beyond those of humans. ASI is able to solve scientific and technical problems that humans cannot solve and also improve its own intelligence. These super-intelligent programs are still hypothetical.

Future of AI

Currently existing ANI is making its way towards AGI, and systems will shift into AGI in less than a decade. The era of AGI will begin. Human-like machines will be controlling what humans will do (ROSS Intelligence) but not humans. But a small number of people will use AI to control humans, and a minor mistake by those making decisions about AI will significantly affect humans. More humans will start to appreciate what humans are capable of. When AI becomes fully human-like, it will appreciate what humans are capable of and would not see humans as threats. But as AI becomes self-conscious, it will have more logical and rational thoughts, and it might see humans as an annoyance. So, there is a good chance that AI will pose a threat to humankind. Humans and AI will be like humans and animals – the threat exists, but humans want to keep animals around.

There will be Augmented Realities in the virtual space. There will be digital humans (AGI) and biological humans. The addition of superintelligence to the human brain might happen – augmented brain (Elon Musk's Neuralink). Integration of machines into the biological body might happen – the hardware of the biological human body might be upgraded – augmented humans. AGI and humans will work together in cooperation to achieve common goals. Perhaps, digital humans will be enslaved or vice versa. Perhaps, the 3rd world war will be fought using AI or it will be fought between humans and AI.

As AI is advancing at an exponential rate, drastic changes in the world will happen in the coming years. The fast-paced growth in ANI in recent years has changed many aspects of society, affecting both positively and negatively. On the positive side, improvements in AI have made many things easier and increased productivity. On the contrary, it has eliminated many jobs and caused unemployment. AI has become an essential component of life, used on a daily basis by society. It is crucial that we adapt to AI as a new era has begun.