AI Explained in Simple Terms
Artificial Intelligence, or AI for short, is a groundbreaking technology that’s changing how we do everything. In this article, we’ll explore what AI can do and how it’s influencing our lives. From smart gadgets to chatbots, AI is everywhere, making tasks easier and faster.
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But what is AI, and how exactly does it work? If you’re new to the concept of AI, you’re not alone. Whether you’re a project manager, marketer, or an executive, you can learn what AI is, how it works, and how it might influence your daily life. Keep reading to learn more about AI.
What is artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence (AI) involves creating machines that can think like humans and imitate their actions. This field uses various technologies to enable computers to do things that normally need human intelligence, like recognizing images, understanding speech, making decisions, and translating languages.
Essentially, artificial intelligence is like having a smart computer that can learn from experience, solve problems, and make decisions on its own — just like a human.
How AI works
AI learns and becomes more intelligent. It works similarly to how humans learn how to ride a bike. Just like you get better by practicing, AI systems learn from examples and data to improve their performance over time. Instead of being explicitly programmed for every task, AI uses algorithms to learn from experiences.
The more data AI systems have and the more they practice, the better they become at their tasks. This ability to learn and improve without constant human instruction makes AI so powerful and versatile in solving complex problems.
AI terminology explained
When you’re first learning about AI, many of the technical terms may seem complicated. Let’s break down some of these terms to make them easier to grasp.
Large Language Models (LLMs)
Imagine having a conversation with a knowledgeable computer that can understand what you’re saying and respond in a way that makes sense. That’s what large language models (LLMS) can do. They’re powerful systems that can generate human-like text and help us with tasks like writing articles or answering questions.
Datasets
Datasets are large collections of information that AI systems use to learn. They can include things like images, paragraphs of text, or even numbers from sensors. AI systems look at these examples and can figure out patterns, allowing them to make decisions just like we do when we learn from seeing examples repeatedly.
Machine learning
Machine learning allows computers to learn from data. For instance, it allows a computer to recognize cats in pictures by being trained on many examples of images labeled as cats and images labeled as not cats. This training process involves the computer identifying patterns in the data, allowing it to make predictions or decisions based on new information.
Algorithm
An algorithm is a set of rules that tells the computer how to solve a problem or perform a task, just like following a recipe to bake a cake. Algorithms are used in everything from sorting numbers to recommending movies on streaming platforms.
Neural networks
Neural networks are like a team of tiny brains inside a computer. They’re computational models inspired by how our brains work, designed to recognize patterns and solve complex problems. Each neuron in the network processes information and passes it on to others, working together to solve puzzles or identify objects in images.
Natural language processing
Natural language processing (NLP) is a subset of AI that helps computers understand, interpret, and generate human language. It teaches computers to understand and talk like humans do, similar to how we interact with virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa. NLP allows machines to read text, translate languages, and even generate responses in conversations.
Big data
Big data refers to massive collections of information or data that AI uses to learn and make decisions humans might miss. AI images analyze a large amount of data, such as images, texts, or numbers, to find patterns and insights. This can help businesses and scientists make better decisions based on data rather than guesses.
Deep learning
Deep learning uses neural network algorithms to process complex data and achieve high accuracy in tasks like recognizing faces in photos or understanding spoken language. Similar to how we learn from examples to get smarter, computers learn from vast amounts of data to improve their performance.
Structured query language (SQL)
SQL is a programming language used to communicate with databases—huge libraries that store information and data. It allows people to ask specific questions (queries) and get answers quickly. Imagine a huge library where you can ask the librarian to find all the books published after 2010. SQL lets you ask the database similar questions to find specific information quickly.
Jira query language
Jira query language (JQL) is a unique language used within Jira. JQL works similarly to SQL, helping users search for and filter issues, which can be tasks, bugs, or other types of work items, within Jira based on specific criteria.
For example, in Jira, you might use JQL to find all the tasks assigned to you due this week. This language allows you to specify conditions like who the task is assigned to, when it’s due, or its status. JQL helps you efficiently manage your work by finding and organizing tasks directly within Jira.
Using AI in our everyday lives
Artificial intelligence is already seamlessly integrated into our daily routines. When you search the internet, AI algorithms work behind the scenes to understand your query and provide relevant results quickly. Whether you’re looking for a recipe, learning about a topic, or shopping, AI streamlines information retrieval and makes browsing more personalized.
Think about how AI powers personalized recommendations on streaming platforms like Netflix or music services like Spotify. Artificial intelligence analyzes your viewing or listening habits and suggests content that matches your preferences, making entertainment choices more enjoyable and tailored to your tastes.
Meanwhile, voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant also use AI to understand and respond to voice commands, helping you set reminders, play music, or even control smart home devices with natural language.
AI represents a monumental leap in technology. It allows computers to respond to human commands and queries by letting you ask questions like a human and get answers tailored to your needs. Just as you would ask a friend for help, AI allows us to ask questions and get answers in intuitive and natural ways.
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