Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the ability of computers to perform tasks that normally need human intelligence, such as recognising speech or images.
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Artificial intelligence is the ability of computers to perform tasks that normally need human intelligence, such as recognising speech or images.
- Machine learning learns from data
- Chatbots and recommendation systems use AI
- AI can make mistakes
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
Within Computer Science, which covers algorithms, programming, data, networks, hardware and safe, responsible use of technology, this topic explains Artificial Intelligence. Computing topics explain how software, hardware and data work, with diagrams and models that show each step in order.
Check that you can explain Artificial Intelligence in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Artificial Intelligence helps you design, test and explain programs, websites and systems, from small projects to exam questions.
Artificial Intelligence in detail
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of computers to perform tasks that normally need human intelligence, such as recognising images and speech, translating languages, playing games, making recommendations and driving vehicles. Narrow AI does one specific task well, while general AI, matching human abilities across tasks, does not yet exist.
Many AI systems use machine learning, learning from data instead of following rules written by programmers. Benefits include faster diagnosis, automation and personalisation. Concerns include bias, privacy, job changes, errors and misuse such as deepfakes. Understanding AI helps you use it wisely and question its outputs.
How the interactive helps you understand Artificial Intelligence
Watch the network in the interactive. Use any sliders or buttons it offers to change the values and see how the network responds.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Artificial Intelligence.
Real-life uses and examples
- Trace through a process that uses Artificial Intelligence to check what it does step by step.
- Recognise Artificial Intelligence in an app or device you use every day.
- Apply Artificial Intelligence when you design a small program, website or spreadsheet.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Testing only the normal case and forgetting the edge cases.
- Using the term without being able to say what the computer actually does.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Artificial Intelligence
What is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is the ability of computers to perform tasks that normally need human intelligence, such as recognising speech or images.
What are the most important points about Artificial Intelligence?
The main points are: Machine learning learns from data; Chatbots and recommendation systems use AI; AI can make mistakes.
Why is Artificial Intelligence useful?
Understanding Artificial Intelligence helps you design, test and explain programs, websites and systems, from small projects to exam questions.
How can I practise Artificial Intelligence?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Artificial Intelligence?
Related topics in Computer Science include Databases, Data Representation of Images, Computer History.