INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: APPLICATION AND BENEFITS TO HUMAN LIFE

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

REFERENCES

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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