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Artificial intelligence (AI) is the mimicking of human thought and cognitive processes to solve complex
problems automatically. AI uses techniques for writing computer code to
represent and manipulate knowledge. Different techniques mimic the different
ways that people think and reason (see case-based reasoning
and model-based reasoning for examples). AI applications
can be either stand-alone software, such as decision support software,
or embedded within larger software or hardware systems
AI has been around for about 50 years and while early optimism about matching human reasoning capabilities
quickly has not been realized yet, there is a significant and growing
set of valuable applications. AI hasn't yet mimicked much of the common-sense
reasoning of a five-year old child. Nevertheless, it can successfully mimic
many expert tasks performed by trained adults, and there is probably more
artificial intelligence being used in practice in one form or another than
most people realize.
Really intelligent applications will only be achievable with artificial intelligence and it is the mark
of a successful AI software designer to deliver functionality that can't
be delivered without using AI.
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