CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
According to Wikipedia (2015), artificial intelligence (AI)
is the intelligence exhibited by machines or software. It is also the name of
the academic field of study in computer science which studies how to create
computers and computer software that are capable of intelligent behaviour.
Major artificial intelligence researchers and other sources define this field
as the study and design of intelligent agents, in which an intelligent agent is
a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its
chances of success. John McCarthy, who coined the term as far back as 1955,
defines it as the science and engineering of making intelligent machines.
Artificial intelligence is a branch of Computer Science concerned with the
study and creation of computer systems. Artificial intelligence exhibits some
form of intelligence by way of introducing systems that learn new concepts and
tasks and also have the ability to reason and draw useful conclusions about the
world. Artificial intelligence systems also can understand a natural language
or perceive and comprehend a visual scene, and perform other types of feats
that require human types of intelligence (Freitas, 1999).
Artificial intelligence research is highly technical and
specialized, and is deeply divided into subfields that often fail to
communicate with each other. Some of the division is due to social and cultural
factors: subfields have grown up around particular institutions and the work of
individual researchers (Drexler, 1986).
Artificial intelligence research is also divided
by several technical issues. Some subfields focus on the solution of specific
problems. Others focus on one of several possible approaches or on the use of a
particular tool or towards the accomplishment of particular applications. The central
problems (or goals) of artificial intelligence research include reasoning,
knowledge, planning, learning, natural language processing (communication),
perception and the ability to move and manipulate objects. General intelligence
is still among the field’s long-term goals (Bostrom, 2002). Currently popular
approaches include statistical methods, computational intelligence and
traditional symbolic artificial intelligence. There are a large number of tools
used in artificial intelligence, including versions of search and mathematical
optimization, logic, methods based on probability and economics, and many
others. The artificial intelligence field is interdisciplinary, in which a
number of sciences and professions converge, including computer science, mathematics,
psychology, linguistics, philosophy and neuroscience, as well as other
specialized fields such as artificial psychology (Hanson, 1998).
According to Moravec, (1999), the field was
founded on the claim that a central property of humans, intelligence can be so
precisely described that a machine can be made to simulate it. This raises
philosophical issues about the nature of the mind and the ethics of creating
artificial beings endowed with human-like intelligence, issues which have been
addressed by myth, fiction and philosophy since antiquity (Kurzweil, 1999).
Artificial intelligence has been the subject of tremendous optimism but has
also suffered stunning setbacks.
Today it has become an essential part of the technology
industry, providing the heavy lifting for many of the most challenging problems
in computer science (Yudkowsky, 2003). Artificial intelligence also deals with
study of ideas to bring into being machines that respond to stimulation
consistent with traditional responses from humans, given the human capacity for
contemplation, judgment and intention (Vinge, 1993). Each such machine should
engage in critical appraisal and selection of differing opinions within itself.
Produced by human skill and labor, these machines should conduct themselves in
agreement with life, spirit and sensitivity, though in reality, they are
imitations. Other researcher has seen artificial intelligence as systems that
combine sophisticated hardware and software with elaborate databases and
knowledge-based processing models to demonstrate characteristics of effective
human decision making. However, the researcher will provide an indebt study
into the introduction to artificial intelligence and its application and
benefit to human being
1.2 Statement of Problem
It is a known fact that the field of artificial intelligence
is relatively young (Yudkowsky, 2002). The creation of Artificial Intelligence
as an academic discipline can be traced to the 1950s, when scientists and
researchers began to consider the possibility of machines processing
intellectual capabilities similar to those of human beings. Alan Turing, a
British mathematician, first proposed a test to determine whether or not a
machine is intelligent. The test later became known as the Turing Test, in
which a machine tries to disguise itself as a human being in an imitation game
by giving human-like responses to a series of questions. Turing believed that
if a machine could make a human being believe that he or she is communicating
with another human being, then the machine can be considered (Bostrom, 2002).
However, artificial
intelligence has been used in a wide range of fields including medical
diagnosis, stock trading, robot control, law, remote sensing, scientific
discovery and toys. However, many Artificial intelligence applications are not
perceived as artificial intelligence (Bostrom, 2002). A lot of cutting-edge
artificial intelligence has filtered into general applications, often without
being called artificial intelligence because once something becomes useful
enough and common enough it’s not labelled artificial intelligence
anymore,” Nick Bostrom reports.
“Many thousands of artificial intelligence applications
are deeply embedded in the infrastructure of every industry. In the late 90s
and early 21st century, Artificial intelligence technology became widely used
as elements of larger systems, but the field is rarely credited for these
successes. For example; finance, hospitals and medicines, heavy industries,
online and telephone customer service, transportation, telecommunication, toys
and games, music, aviation, news, publishing & writing. However, this
study seeks to provide an overview of artificial intelligence, its application
and use to human being in general (Bostrom, 2002).
1.3
Objectives of The Study
1. To examine the
historical development of artificial intelligence.
2. To find out the
application and benefits of artificial intelligence to mankind.
3. To ascertain the
prospects of artificial intelligence.
1.4 Research Questions
1. How was artificial
intelligence developed historically?
2. What are the
application and benefits of artificial intelligence to mankind?
3. What are the
prospects of artificial intelligence?
1.6 Significance of Study
This research will be of significance in the
following area:
1. It will be of help to
stakeholders in various sectors for example health, finance, education,
security, engineering, manufacturing, research and technology in understanding
the application and benefits of Artificial intelligence to enhance productivity
and effectiveness of the sectors.
2. The findings of this
research work will also serve as reference for academic endeavor to lecturers
and students and also help the public who would want to know about some
advantages and disadvantages (if any) of the use of the artificial
intelligence.
3. Findings and
recommendations from this study will guide the stakeholders in various sector
determine the type artificial intelligence to be adopted and also help them
identify specific areas where artificial intelligence can be applied.
1.7 Scope of the study
This study on application and benefits of artificial
intelligence will cover the overview of the historical development of
artificial intelligence as a branch of computer science that deals with
creating computers and computer software that are capable of intelligent
behaviour. However, this study will examine the application and benefits of the
Artificial intelligence to human life and this research will also consider the
future and prospects of artificial intelligence.
1.8 Definition of Terms
In this research work, the terms defined reflect how the
researcher wants them to be understood in the context of this work.
Behaviour- the way in which one acts or
conducts oneself, especially towards others.
Artificial- made or produced by human
beings rather than occurring naturally, especially as a copy of something
natural.
Computer- an electronic device which is
capable of receiving information (data) in a particular form and of performing
a sequence of operations in accordance with a predetermined but variable set of
procedural instructions (program) to produce a result in the form of
information or signals.
Intelligence – the ability to acquire and
apply knowledge and skills.
Innovation- The process of translating an
idea or invention into a good or service that creates value.
1.9 Methodology
This study adopted a qualitative research, using a
descriptive research design. The data were sourced from secondary sources. The
inclusion criteria are only published journal articles in reputable journals
outlets. The data were analysed using thematic analysis where the data were
analysed around themes generated from the research.