By: Aryan Vohra
What is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence refers to intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and replicate their actions. It is a branch of computer science that involves developing computer programs to complete tasks that would require human intelligence. Artificial intelligence uses algorithms, sets of rules that follow numerous calculations, to complete simple tasks. What are some practical functions of AI?
Autonomous Vehicles
AI is often used in autonomous vehicles. For example, the autopilot feature in a Tesla runs on AI. The Tesla AI has used algorithms to track the road and cars near it. With the help of AI, autonomous vehicles are becoming the future of society and major manufacturing companies are starting to integrate this technology into their vehicles. The first self-driving vehicle was created in 1939 by GM motors. Many countries want to go all autonomous. According to Forbes.com, "China’s goal is to become a world leader in AI and AV’s as parts of it's made in China 2025 plan. To achieve this goal, the Chinese government has set a target that 10% of all cars sold in China should be fully autonomous by 2030. " China is already getting a headstart to going fully autonomous compared to other countries. Secondly, autonomous driving is safer than you think. AI technology can warn you if there is an accident ahead or if there is a careless driver. The driver assistance technology AI can save people's lives and prevent injuries, which shows one positive of AI technology.
Other Related Fields
Two fields that are related to AI are Machine Learning and Robotics.
Robotics is a branch of technology that deals with robots. For example, the machines in a car manufacturer that builds cars by welding the frames together for the car and putting together the basic design of the assorted vehicle. There are many different fields to robotics that include aspects of artificial intelligence such as the concept of autonomy, which can be seen in a robot that performs tasks on its own using certain algorithms. Autonomy is used in vehicles, an example of this would be self-driving cars. Today, many robots are starting to become fully autonomous to an extent. An example of something that is in the robotics field is a medical robot or a surgical robot. The surgical robot allows doctors to perform surgeries with more precision, especially in places where the doctor may not be able to reach. According to mayoclinic.org, “Robotic surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2000. The technique has been rapidly adopted by hospitals in the United States and Europe for use in the treatment of a wide range of conditions”. This explains that more countries are adapting and are using AI intelligence and robotics for many fields.
Machine learning is the scientific study of algorithms and statistical models that computer systems always use to perform a certain task without using instructions. This is very similar to AI because this same autonomy is seen in AI. One great example of this would be speech recognition (the machine learns the words and translates them using a series of algorithms). Machine learning is very crucial to society. As explained by theguardian.com, a Turing test is a test developed during the 1950s that examines a machine's ability to exhibit intelligent behavior equal to that of a human. As explained by theguardian.com “The test, as Turing designed it, is carried out as a sort of imitation game. On one side of a computer screen sits a human judge, whose job is to chat to some mysterious interlocutors on the other side”. This statement concludes that the machine is speaking and responding to whatever the other person says. In my opinion, the Turing test is legitimate because it expresses the machine's AI abilities by partaking in a human-like action.
Concerns and Reflections
One very crucial question would be “would the economy be affected by artificial intelligence?" The short answer is yes. AI is playing a huge part in economic growth, According to The Wall Street Journal, “Artificial intelligence has the potential to incrementally add 16 percent or around $13 trillion by 2030 to current global economic output-- an annual average contribution to productivity growth of about 1.2 percent between now and 2030." To conclude, by 2030 the economy will increase by a whopping 16% just because of AI. The automation of labor could play a huge impact on economic growth from now to 2030.
Another critical question that involves machines would be "what type of decisions should robots be allowed to make?" Robots should make decisions that the AI thinks would be helpful to society. They should also consult a human before making decisions. An example of this would be like if you were to be using your car navigation to get to an important destination and there is traffic ahead, and the navigation tells you to take a shortcut the AI decided to save time. When a robot or AI makes a practical and safe decision that you think just might be fine then robots should be allowed to make decisions that would benefit someone or something.
In conclusion, the idea of AI in today’s day and age would be very beneficial to society. AI could make people’s everyday life much easier and could save lives by preventing accidents. The idea of autonomous vehicles using AI simplified transportation needs for society and is revolutionary to the world. Robots with AI will be the future.
About the Author: Aryan Vohra
Aryan is a rising senior at Robbinsville high school. He has a passion for engineering and wants to design and build things that could change the world.
Works Cited:
“Autonomous Cars.” The Verge, www.theverge.com/autonomous-cars.
McMahon, Jeff. “The 4 Reasons Autonomous Vehicles Seem Stalled In The U.S.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 27 Jan. 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2020/01/27/the-4-reasons-autonomous-vehicles-seem-to-have-stalled-in-the-us/.
Spectrum, IEEE. “Adaptive Gripper.” ROBOTS, 18 May 2018, robots.ieee.org/robots/robotiq/.
Hern, Alex. “What Is the Turing Test? And Are We All Doomed Now?” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 9 June 2014, www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/09/what-is-the-alan-turing-test.