Artificial Intelligence is a branch of science that refers to the ability of a computer program to perform functions and reach conclusions independently. Early advances in artificial intelligence were purely theoretical, while later programming efforts resulted in computer programs that could play games and even make scientific breakthroughs. Later artificial intelligence programs became more and more advanced, culminating in the technology of today.
The Beginning of Artificial Intelligence: The Turing Test
Alan Turing, the creator of the Turing Test, published Computing Machinery and Intelligence in 1950. This article essentially defined artificial intelligence for future generations of programmers, as well as society in general. By outlining the way to identify if a program has achieved artificial intelligence, criteria also known as the Turing Test, Alan Turing created an entirely new industry.
Each year, contestants from around the world compete for the Loebner Prize, which is intended to be awarded to an artificially intelligent program that passes the Turing test. As yet, the Loebner prize has not been awarded, but prizes are awarded for the "most human-like" programming achievement.
The Turing Test essentially uses human judges to attempt to differentiate between human responses and computer generated responses. With no other information than the typed responses, if a human judge cannot consistently and accurately pick out the computer generated responses, the software program that initiated those responses would be considered to be artificially intelligent, according to the Turing Test. While AI programs are unable to pass the Turing Test, they have been able to play games for decades.
Early AI Programming
Early AI programming included game-playing programs and even an artificial therapist.
- The first computer program that could learn to play a game was written by Arthur Samuel at IBM in the 1950‘s. His checkers program determined the best possible move based on a strategy of the most benefit to the program, with the least benefit to the opposition. Read more about Arthur Samuel in John McCarthy of Stanford's page, Arthur Samuel, Pioneer In Machine Learning.
- ELIZA is a program that was written in 1965 by Joseph Weizenbaum of MIT. This program can carry on a 'conversation' with a user by picking out key words, by rephrasing comments made by the user, or by making general responses. A later version of Eliza was programmed to respond as a therapist, and was known as "Doctor".
Autonomous Land Vehicle in a Neural Network, also known as ALVINN, is a version of a current AI technology that has a history reaching back into the 1980's. ALVINN was created by Dean Pomerleau in 1989 at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania. According to the project website, ALVINN has learned to drive by "watching" another driver using video cameras as eyes.
A later version of ALVINN, called Boss, drove an SUV to win a challenge competition put on by the Defense Department in 2007. This competition forces the automated vehicles to drive a course that they have not driven previously, with simulated traffic around them.
The Future of Artificial Intelligence Programming
Artificial intelligence programs of today can accomplish many functions that were only dreamed of in the early days of AI. AI programs can not only play games, but can beat the champions of the most complex games, such as chess. Automated vehicles can drive without human intervention, while programmers hone the abilities of a program to respond in human-like manners. The advances of today show clearly that the future of artificial intelligence is extremely bright.
Read More about AI throughout the ages in these articles:
History of Robotics in Japan - Tanaka Hisashige's Boy Archer Doll - Tanaka Hisashige's Boy Archer Doll is a fascinating bit of robot history. Read on to learn about this example of Japan's karakuri, or mechanized dolls.
Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mechanical Knight - Italian renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci designed a robot 500 years ago. Learn more about the history of robotics, and da Vinci's mechanical knight.
Robotic Technology from Ancient Greece - The history of robots began long before the term was coined in 1921. The earliest robotic technology existed in the myths and creations of ancient Greece.
Robotics Technology in Automata by Al-Jazari - Do you want to learn more about the history of robots? Al-Jazari was an Islamic engineer that wrote about robotics technology nearly a thousand years ago.
Modern War Robots - Robots and artificial intelligence programming are now combining with human oversight for remote-controlled border protection at the DMZ in South Korea.
Nanotechnology & Neural Networking - In research into tiny plastic AI systems to produce better artificial brains, nanotechnology miniaturizes electrical circuits, and neural networking adds computing power.
Smart Home Appliances for Better Quality of Life - Combining artificial intelligence with home automation in smart home appliances results in an improved quality of life for many, including the elderly and disabled.
Voice Recognition Software for Disabled Students - Disabled students are often at a disadvantage in the classroom. Voice recognition software improves communication, enables note-taking, and increases participation.
Teaching Special Needs Children with Autism - Robots are acting as therapy assistants to help parents and therapists in teaching special needs children with autism. Can fuzzy logic help autistic kids?
Victoria Nicks - Victoria Nicks has a Master's Degree in IT, and extensive hands-on experience with various types of hardware and software.
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