AIforCA Hour of AI 2022: What is AI?

Summary

Dr. Emily Tomford, a computer science coordinator, discusses artificial intelligence (AI) in a presentation. She emphasizes the importance of understanding AI, which is prevalent in everyday life. She defines AI as machines making good choices and explores examples to determine if they are AI, based on whether they perform human tasks and make independent decisions.

Takeaways

• 👩‍🏫 Dr. Emily Tomford is a computer science coordinator with a degree in AI and is passionate about sharing knowledge on the subject.
• 🧠 Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just for experts; it's important for everyone to understand due to its widespread presence in daily life.
• 🤖 The term 'artificial' refers to something made or built by humans, as opposed to being natural, like humans or animals.
• 💡 'Intelligence' in AI is about making good choices, not just knowing a lot of information.
• 🔍 AI is defined as machines making good choices, which is a combination of being 'artificial' and 'intelligent'.
• 📝 To determine if something is AI, ask if it performs a human task and if it makes its own choices, not just following a set pattern.
• 🍞 A toaster, while performing a human task, does not make its own choices and thus is not considered AI.
• 🚦 Traffic lights control traffic flow but do not make independent choices based on changing circumstances, so they are not AI.
• 🎭 Face filters use AI to detect facial features and apply effects, making choices based on the user's face, which qualifies them as AI.
• 🤖 A robot controlled by a remote does not make its own choices, so it is not AI, whereas a self-driving car, which makes its own driving decisions, is AI.
• 🗣️ Virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa use AI to understand and respond to language, making them AI as they make choices in real-time.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Dr. Emily Tomford's presentation?

The main topic of Dr. Emily Tomford's presentation is artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on what it is and what it is not.

Why is it important to understand AI, even if you are not an AI expert?

It is important to understand AI because it is all around us, in our phones, cars, and even in our government. AI is involved in making decisions, and understanding it helps us know how to use it and how it should be used.

What does the term 'artificial' in artificial intelligence refer to?

The term 'artificial' in artificial intelligence refers to machines, as opposed to humans or natural beings. It signifies something that has been made or built by humans.

How is 'intelligence' defined in the context of AI?

In the context of AI, 'intelligence' is defined as the ability to make good choices, rather than just knowing a lot of things.

What is the definition of artificial intelligence according to Dr. Tomford?

According to Dr. Tomford, artificial intelligence is about getting machines to make good choices.

What are the two key questions to ask when determining if something is AI?

The two key questions to ask are: 1) Does it do a human task, and 2) Does it make its own choices, rather than just following a pattern.

Why is a toaster not considered AI?

A toaster is not considered AI because, although it does a human task (making toast), it does not make its own choices based on different situations; it simply follows the settings it is put on.

What would make a traffic light intelligent according to the presentation?

A traffic light would be considered intelligent if it could see situations like accidents or ambulances and make better choices in real-time, such as changing lights accordingly.

How does a face filter demonstrate AI capabilities?

A face filter demonstrates AI capabilities by finding facial features like eyes, nose, and mouth, and making its own choices to add effects based on the location and orientation of these features.

Why is a robot controlled by a remote not considered AI?

A robot controlled by a remote is not considered AI because the intelligence comes from the human controlling the remote, not from the robot itself.

What makes a self-driving car an example of AI?

A self-driving car is an example of AI because it performs a human task (driving) and makes its own choices in real-time, such as when to go, stop, or turn.