Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the world in numerous ways. But what exactly is AI? At its core, AI refers to machines and systems that mimic human intelligence. They learn from data, adapt to new situations, and solve problems, much like humans do. However, AI isn’t just about robots or futuristic scenarios—it’s already embedded in many of the services we use today.

AI can be broken down into various subfields, including machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and natural language processing (NLP). These areas focus on different aspects of how machines can understand, interpret, and act upon information. This chapter will focus on defining AI and introducing the different branches and applications that make it such an exciting field.

We’ll explore real-life examples of AI in action, such as the recommendations you see on Netflix or YouTube, the personal assistant features in smartphones, and even AI in healthcare. These examples show how AI impacts our daily lives, often without us realizing it. By the end of this chapter, you will have a solid understanding of what AI is and why it matters in today’s rapidly evolving world.