INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: APPLICATION AND
BENEFITS TO HUMAN LIFE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO 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 behavior. 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 labeled 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?
1.5 HYPOTHESIS
HO: Artificial intelligence
does not benefit human life in any way
HA: Artificial intelligence
does not benefit human life in any way
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 endeavour 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 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 behavior. 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
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Bostrom, N. (2002). “Existential
Risks: Analyzing Human Extinction Scenarios and Related Hazards.” Journal
of Evolution and Technology, 9. http://www.nickbostrom.com/existential/risks.html
Drexler, K. E. (1986): Engines of
Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology. (Anchor Books: New York, 1986).
http://www.foresight.org/EOC/index.html
Freitas Jr., R. A. (1999): Nanomedicine,
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Hanson, R., et al. (1998). “A
Critical Discussion of Vinge’s Singularity Concept.” Extropy Online.
http://www.extropy.org/eo/articles/vi.html
Kurzweil, R. (1999): The Age of
Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence. (Viking: New
York, 1999).
Moravec, H. (1999): Robot: Mere
Machine to Transcendent Mind. (Oxford University Press: New York, 1999).
Vinge, V. (1993). “The Coming
Technological Singularity.” Whole Earth Review, Winter issue.
Wikipedia,
2015: www.wikipedia.com
Yudkowsky, E. (2002). “The AI Box
Experiment.” Webpage. http://sysopmind.com/essays/aibox.html
Yudkowsky,
E. (2003). Creating Friendly AI 1.0. http://www.singinst.org/CFAI/index.html