Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a multifaceted field of computer science, and its definition has evolved over time. Here are some of the most widely accepted definitions:
- John McCarthy’s Definition (1956): Often referred to as the father of AI, John McCarthy defined it as “the science and engineering of making intelligent machines.” This definition emphasizes the creation of machines that can mimic human intelligence and behavior.
- From the Encyclopedia Britannica: AI is defined as “the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings.” This definition highlights the aspect of AI that involves tasks that would typically require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding.
- Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig’s Approach: In their seminal textbook “Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach,” Russell and Norvig describe AI as the study of “agents” that receive perceptions from the environment and perform actions. They categorize the field into four approaches: thinking humanly, thinking rationally, acting humanly, and acting rationally.
- From the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI): They define AI as the study of how to make computers do things at which, at the moment, people are better. This definition suggests AI as a continually evolving field, striving to meet and exceed human capabilities in various tasks.
- The Turing Test Perspective: Proposed by Alan Turing, this test is a method for determining whether a machine can exhibit intelligent behavior equivalent to, or indistinguishable from, that of a human. Although not a definition per se, it’s a widely recognized standard in evaluating AI’s capability to mimic human intelligence.
Each of these definitions approaches AI from a slightly different angle, reflecting the diverse applications and theoretical understandings of the field. Collectively, they underscore AI’s primary goal: to create systems capable of performing tasks that require human intelligence.
The most broadly accepted and encompassing definition of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often attributed to John McCarthy, who is known as the father of AI. His definition describes AI as “the science and engineering of making intelligent machines.” This definition is widely accepted because it succinctly captures the essence of AI, emphasizing both the theoretical (science) and practical (engineering) aspects of creating machines capable of mimicking human intelligence.
This definition is favored for its broadness, allowing for the inclusion of all the different subfields and applications of AI, from simple automated decision systems to complex machine learning and neural networks. It also implicitly acknowledges the evolving nature of what constitutes “intelligence” in machines, allowing for the continuous development and expansion of AI capabilities over time.