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Simplified AI
I am often asked about AI. Here is my own simplified explanation of AI. This is a basic explanation, and I am not an expert.
First of all, AI is not a sudden invention. AI has evolved over decades. AI is not scary.
It all started with the invention of computers and grew step by step. Here are the stages of the evolution, as I see it:
Step 1. Invention of computers:
Computers made it possible to perform complex calculations quickly. Computers could also store information and retrieve it faster than any human. This allowed for computer problem-solving and was the first example of machine intelligence. Universities, businesses, and individuals began using computers for many different and unconnected subjects. The first computer at St. Francis Xavier University filled an entire room and could only draw a picture of Abe Lincoln. That was 1967.
Step 2. Creation of the Internet:
The internet created a connection system which linked all of those unconnected individual computers. This connection transformed isolated machines into a worldwide network of knowledge and communication.
Step 3. Establishing search engines:
The next step was the development of search engines like Google, which could reach into many computers at once and organize vast amounts of information stored in individual computers, and bring it forward. This made it possible to find data quickly.
Step 4. AI coordination and creation of new material:
AI is basically very strong computers accessing virtually all of the knowledge of other computers and assembling that information to provide your answer or a solution for your project. Rather than thinking like a human, AI "learns" from examples of repeated actions and draws from the knowledge gathered since the inception of the Internet.
What artificial intelligence does is instantly reach out through networks to access all that information available and is able to put it in the form of an answer to whatever question is asked.
One computer might be able to draw cartoons on any subject; one might be able to write poetry; one might be able to relate the history on a particular issue; one might have the names of the people involved in the subject. AI can bring those all together and create a cartoon, a story and a poem that no human has ever seen.
Computers now all over the world can write books, draw cartoons, operate surgical machinery, design electronics, manufacturer almost anything from cars to televisions to houses. Computers have accumulated Information on every issue on the planet. It is all based on information already stored in millions of computers.
If you want to try AI, ChatGPT is a good place to start. There are many other AI sites, but ChatGPT is the most popular. It is free and easy to use. Go to the Chatgpt. com site and try it. Ask any question that comes to mind and hit the up button. You will be amazed.
I asked CHATGPT if the AI explanation above was accurate, and here is the reply:
“Yes, your explanation is broadly accurate, clear, and effective, especially for a general audience. It explains AI as a natural, non-threatening progression of technological steps and avoids hype and fear mongering.”
Thanks for reading.
Bill
First of all, AI is not a sudden invention. AI has evolved over decades. AI is not scary.
It all started with the invention of computers and grew step by step. Here are the stages of the evolution, as I see it:
Step 1. Invention of computers:
Computers made it possible to perform complex calculations quickly. Computers could also store information and retrieve it faster than any human. This allowed for computer problem-solving and was the first example of machine intelligence. Universities, businesses, and individuals began using computers for many different and unconnected subjects. The first computer at St. Francis Xavier University filled an entire room and could only draw a picture of Abe Lincoln. That was 1967.
Step 2. Creation of the Internet:
The internet created a connection system which linked all of those unconnected individual computers. This connection transformed isolated machines into a worldwide network of knowledge and communication.
Step 3. Establishing search engines:
The next step was the development of search engines like Google, which could reach into many computers at once and organize vast amounts of information stored in individual computers, and bring it forward. This made it possible to find data quickly.
Step 4. AI coordination and creation of new material:
AI is basically very strong computers accessing virtually all of the knowledge of other computers and assembling that information to provide your answer or a solution for your project. Rather than thinking like a human, AI "learns" from examples of repeated actions and draws from the knowledge gathered since the inception of the Internet.
What artificial intelligence does is instantly reach out through networks to access all that information available and is able to put it in the form of an answer to whatever question is asked.
One computer might be able to draw cartoons on any subject; one might be able to write poetry; one might be able to relate the history on a particular issue; one might have the names of the people involved in the subject. AI can bring those all together and create a cartoon, a story and a poem that no human has ever seen.
Computers now all over the world can write books, draw cartoons, operate surgical machinery, design electronics, manufacturer almost anything from cars to televisions to houses. Computers have accumulated Information on every issue on the planet. It is all based on information already stored in millions of computers.
If you want to try AI, ChatGPT is a good place to start. There are many other AI sites, but ChatGPT is the most popular. It is free and easy to use. Go to the Chatgpt. com site and try it. Ask any question that comes to mind and hit the up button. You will be amazed.
I asked CHATGPT if the AI explanation above was accurate, and here is the reply:
“Yes, your explanation is broadly accurate, clear, and effective, especially for a general audience. It explains AI as a natural, non-threatening progression of technological steps and avoids hype and fear mongering.”
Thanks for reading.
Bill