What Is Artificial Intelligence? Definition, Uses, and Types | Coursera

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Learn what artificial intelligence actually is, how it’s used today, and what it may do in the future.
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems capable of performing complex tasks that historically only humans could do, such as reasoning, making decisions, or solving problems. At a glance, here's what you need to know about artificial intelligence:
Today, the term “AI” describes a wide range of technologies that power many of the services and goods we use every day – from apps that recommend TV shows to chatbots that provide customer support in real time.
Machine learning is one the most common forms of artificial intelligence used today. Though generative AI is becoming increasingly popular.
As AI becomes more interwoven into our modern world, knowing how it works and how to use it can help you better leverage the technology at work and in your personal life.
Below, you’ll learn more about artificial intelligence, what it actually does, and some of its different types. You’ll also learn about some of its benefits and dangers and explore flexible courses that can help you expand your knowledge of AI even further. Afterward, if you're ready to start building your own AI skills, consider enrolling in the Google AI Professional Certificate.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the theory and development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that historically required human intelligence, such as recognizing speech, making decisions, and identifying patterns. AI is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide variety of technologies, including machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing (NLP).
Although the term is commonly used to describe a range of different technologies in use today, many disagree on whether these actually constitute artificial intelligence. Instead, some argue that much of the technology used in the real world today actually constitutes highly advanced machine learning that is simply a first step towards true artificial intelligence, or “general artificial intelligence” (GAI).
Despite the many philosophical disagreements over whether “true” intelligent machines actually exist, when most people use the term AI today, they’re referring to a suite of machine learning-powered technologies, such as Chat GPT or computer vision, that enable machines to perform tasks that previously only humans can do like generating written content, steering a car, or analyzing data.
Artificial general intelligence (AGI) refers to a theoretical state in which computer systems will be able to achieve or exceed human intelligence. In other words, AGI is “true” artificial intelligence, as depicted in countless science fiction novels, television shows, movies, and comics.
Regardless of how far we are from achieving AGI, you can assume that when someone uses the term artificial general intelligence, they’re referring to the kind of sentient computer programs and machines that are commonly found in popular science fiction.
Read more: Artificial General Intelligence vs. AI
Though the humanoid robots often associated with AI (think Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Data or Terminator’s T-800) don’t exist yet, you’ve likely interacted with machine learning-powered services or devices many times before.
At the simplest level, machine learning uses algorithms trained on data sets to create machine learning models that allow computer systems to perform tasks like making song recommendations, identifying the fastest way to travel to a destination, or translating text from one language to another. Some of the most common examples of AI in use today include:
ChatGPT: Uses large language models (LLMs) to generate text in response to questions or comments posed to it.
Google Translate: Uses deep learning algorithms to translate text from one language to another.
Netflix: Uses machine learning algorithms to create personalized recommendation engines for users based on their previous viewing history.
Apple's Siri: Apple's voice-activated personal assistant, Siri, is powered by deep neural networks (DNNs) to interact with users and complete their requests.
AI stands for "artificial intelligence." Artificial intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, such as computer systems. AI powers many technology-driven industries, such as health care, finance, transportation, and much more.
Read more: What Does AI Stand For?
Artificial intelligence is prevalent across many industries. Automating tasks that don't require human intervention saves money and time, and can reduce the risk of human error. Here are a couple of ways AI could be employed in different industries:
Finance industry. Fraud detection is a notable use case for AI in the finance industry. AI's capability to analyze large amounts of data enables it to detect anomalies or patterns that signal fraudulent behavior.
Health care industry. AI-powered robotics could support surgeries close to highly delicate organs or tissue to mitigate blood loss or risk of infection.
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When researching artificial intelligence, you might have come across the terms “strong” and “weak” AI. Though these terms might seem confusing, you likely already have a sense of what they mean.
Strong AI is essentially AI that is capable of human-level, general intelligence. In other words, it’s just another way to say “artificial general intelligence.”
Weak AI, meanwhile, refers to the narrow use of widely available AI technology, like machine learning or deep learning, to perform very specific tasks, such as playing chess, recommending songs, or steering cars. Also known as Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), weak AI is essentially the kind of AI we use daily