What is AI (CS interpretation)?

• AI is the science of writing a program A that outputs a program B to solve a problem
• Special class of computer programs that need very little human-oversight to be created
• Akin to technologies like electricity, fire, computers, databases, phones and internet, it will grow in relevance as it unlocks new capabilities and applications
• Prominent sub-disciplines in AI (the boundaries are hazy since this field is fast evolving)

Why is AI such a hot topic right now?

• AI research started in the 1960s
• However, two key ingredients that ushered in the current renaissance (since late 2000s)
  • Continuously falling cost of machines
  • Continuously exploding amount of data

Applications of AI today and in near future

• Pattern recognition and recommendation
• Image and video analysis
• Automated speech recognition

Some surprising applications

• Amazon can make item price changes lakhs of times a day based on the customer
• Uber can price rides using many signals like time of day, traffic, even battery life!

Is AI harmful to society?

• Technology itself is neutral, it depends on how it is used in aggregate
• Dangers
• AI / technology will also make life simpler and create jobs
• Can AI turn against humanity?