Definition
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of theories and techniques used to create machines capable of simulating human intelligence. AI is based in particular on machine learning technology: the machine feeds on a large volume of data that it processes using an algorithm to draw conclusions. These analyses are then memorized by the machine, allowing it to perform tasks, make decisions adapted to situations, and predict possible outcomes.
There are two types of AI:
- On the one hand, there isstrong AI which allows machines to act like a brain by combining mechanical actions with the understanding and expression of human emotions.
- On the other hand, there isweak AI which limits machines to problem-solving.
History
AI has its distant historical origins in automatons, calculating machines, microcomputers, and all the thinking on logic. Already in Antiquity, and more so in the 18th and 19th centuries, the transition from “animal-machine” to “machine-man” was being prepared.
Since then, researchers often identify three major periods in the development of AI:
- The 1960s.
- In 1950, British mathematician Alan Turing published his famous article “Computing Machinery and Intelligence,” in which he described the “imitation game,” also known as the “Turing Test,” a test consisting of conversing with a machine and asking it to create something with specific criteria that it must respect. This article not only paved the way for AI research, but also measured the degree of intelligence of machines.
- However, it wasn’t until 1958 that John McCarthy, an American computer scientist, named this new field of research “artificial intelligence.”
- The 1980s .
- Research is multiplying and becoming more in-depth thanks to advances in computing and the development of algorithms. A system of experts is emerging.The 1990s
Data is becoming increasingly important and is at the heart of many technologies such as virtual reality and voice/facial recognition.
A key technology of the future
AI is part of our ongoing quest for performance and convenience. It is now part of our daily lives, given its wide range of applications: it can be found on our connected devices (facial recognition, digital assistants, video games, etc.), in the banking system (assessing the risks of a financial transaction, etc.), in medicine (imaging, disease diagnosis, etc.), in transportation (self-driving cars, GPS, etc.), etc.
- Thanks to the constant collection of data, AI offers great possibilities:
- Personalization of content based on our preferences (video-on-demand platforms, shopping, news, etc.);
- Trend analysis; Task empowerment and facilitation (management, chatbots, etc.);
- Decision-making assistance;
- Industrial digitalization;
- etc.
In summary, its advocates praise its ability to improve our lives by being a major source of innovation, productivity, and economic growth, especially since the limits of AI seem to be constantly being pushed.
A technology that sparks debate
AI also has detractors for two reasons: either for its limitations or for the risks it can generate.
“The creation of artificial intelligence would be the greatest event in human history. But it could also be the ultimate. (…) Humans, limited by their slow biological evolution, would be unable to compete and would be dethroned.” (Stephen Hawking, British astrophysicist)On the one hand, some note its inability to tackle complex reasoning related to the perception of human senses and emotions. Machines, lacking consciousness or common sense, can manipulate data without understanding it. Machines therefore have difficulty adapting to complex situations involving too many variables. Also, despite advances in AI, human supervision remains necessary.On the other hand, AI carries various risks: fear of it falling into the wrong hands for bad actions, concerns about its surpassing human performance, or the use of personal data by large web companies, etc.
AI at the service of the ecological transition
For several years, the French government has been implementing its national strategy on artificial intelligence and considers it a major accelerator of the ecological transition. Within the Ministry of Energy, Technology and Energy (MTE), the Ecolab Data Innovation Lab promotes the development of the uses and exploitation of public data and contributes to the Ministry’s data strategy.
In addition, the Greentech Innovation initiative has created a pool of several startups using AI, such as Agreenculture, Axionable, Beebryte, Kompozite, NepTech, etc.
Sources:
BEI: https://bit.ly/3BXUG7K
Futura-Sciences: https://bit.ly/3soVFuI
Institut Léonard de Vinci: https://bit.ly/3K238pk
- Larousse: https://bit.ly/3M3cdQ
- Wikipedia: https://bit.ly/3hm1PFD