Demystifying AI: Understanding the Technology Behind Artificial Intelligence

by Jennifer Jackson

Have you ever been amazed at how your smartphone almost reads your mind, predicting your next text? Or how about how voice assistants grasp exactly what you’re asking? It’s artificial intelligence (AI) at work. Before we dive in, it’s worth mentioning that there’s a site you should check out: Relevant – a software development company that knows a thing or two about creating AI and applying it in the business world.

So, what is AI exactly?

Essentially, AI revolves around developing software capable of processing information in a way that resembles human thinking. Consider the analogy of teaching a friend to recognize your favorite song from just a few notes. You’d play the melody several times, and gradually, they would begin to identify it. AI undergoes a similar learning curve through machine learning. By ingesting a vast array of data (akin to numerous musical notes), it starts to discern patterns and predict outcomes.

Now, you might ask, “But how does a computer learn from this data?” That’s where algorithms come in – think of them as recipes that tell the computer what to do with the data. Some of these recipes are pretty straightforward, while others are complex, allowing the machine to improve its understanding over time. This process of improvement is what we call machine learning. It’s like if you were learning to cook; the more recipes you try and tweak, the better you get.

Then, there’s something even cooler called deep learning – a type of machine learning that uses neural networks. Picture a vast network of “neurons” similar to the human brain. These networks can learn incredibly complex patterns, so AI can translate languages and recognize faces in photos.

Beyond emulating human intellect, AI’s prowess extends to decision-making. Whether it’s a computer-controlled opponent in a video game or the autonomous navigation of self-driving cars, AI’s decision-making capabilities are evident in real-time applications.

Many of us worry that AI is on a mission to take over every job out there. But here’s the real scoop: while it’s true that AI can automate some tasks, there’s a lot it can only do with human guidance. Creativity, empathy, and ethical judgment are just a few areas where humans have the upper hand. So, instead of replacing us, AI is more about augmenting our abilities and helping us do our jobs better and faster.

The scary part? When AI gets things wrong, it can be a mess. Bias in AI is a big deal. If you only teach it with data from one group of people, it might only work well for some. That’s why the folks who make AI, like the team at Relevant, have to be super careful about the data they use and check that the AI treats everyone fairly.