What is A.I.?
A.I. stands for artificial intelligence and is a way for computers and technology to learn and work like humans. A.I. uses the process of building intelligence in machines using vast amounts of data. Using the software, the A.I. will find patterns in this data and use these patterns to create algorithms and methods to help the program learn and complete tasks with more speed, precision, and effectiveness. These patterns and algorithms also help A.I. make its own decisions. Overall, A.I. refers to technology that can mimic cognitive functions such as seeing, recognizing, and responding to spoken or written language, analyzing data, identifying patterns, and making recommendations to the programmer.
Below is an image containing different types of AI programs and systems. These programs cover a wide range of media and functions, including but not limited to marketing, writing, visual media, generating text, and much more.
Branches of AI
Within the AI field, various branches have specific focus and techniques to solve a wide range of issues. Below is a list of the essential branches of AI
Machine Learning:
This branch focuses on creating algorithms that can learn from data. These algorithms are used in various applications, including text-generating programs, image recognition, and spam filtering.
Deep Learning:
This branch of machine learning utilizes artificial networks to acquire knowledge from data. These algorithms help solve natural language processing (NLP), image, and voice recognition issues.
Natural Language Processing:
This branch focuses on the interaction between computer and human language. These techniques are used to understand and process human language and in various programs, such as machine translation, speech recognition, and text analysis.
Expert systems:
This branch focuses on programs designed to mimic a human's reasoning and decision-making abilities. These systems are used in various applications, including medical diagnosis, financial planning, and customer service.
Types of AI
Various sectors of business and education use many types of AI. This section will focus on the four main types of AI used in Learning AI programs.
Sahota, Neil. (2022). Four types of artificial intelligence based on functionalities [Infographic].
Reactive Machines and Limited memory machines are currently being used every day. An example of a reactive machine would be Netflix recommendations, which take data from the viewer's watch history and create an algorithm to find media the viewer will enjoy. An example of Limited memory machines is driving cars, which observe other cars on the road to gauge their speed, direction, and proximity. This data is programmed into the vehicle's representation of the world and used to keep the driver safe while traveling to a destination.
Theory of Mind and Self-Aware AI are theoretical types that have not yet been created or implemented. The uses of these types of AI are hypothetical and are still awaiting to be made.
Labouré College currently uses a variety of A.I. Programs, including:
Grammarly helps with writing assistance, correction and provides analytics of your writing. Grammarly can be accessed by following this link- https://app.grammarly.com/. Grammarly can also be accessed on a variety of platforms. More information about Grammarly can be found here.
Power Automate creates automated workflows between Microsoft Office 365 apps and services. These services include synchronizing files, receiving notifications and collecting data. Applications related to Power Automate include Outlook, Word, OneDrive, PowerPoint, and a variety of other Microsoft applications. This application can be accessed through Office 365 and more information can be found here.
Adobe Creative Cloud is an application used to edit images, documents and other materials related to graphic design. Currently, the college hold a limited number of licences to this program. More information about this application can be found here.
Turnitin is a program that analyzes submitted papers for plagiarism and incorrectly cited material. This program can be accessed through Brightspace and more information can be found here
The college uses a number of AI network tools that help monitor its network. These tools include firewalls, ransomware protection and various other security applications. Network applications can only be accessed by the IT department.
Zoom has recently added an AI companion to its platform. This program allows the user to create transcriptions and captioning for recorded meetings, compose meeting summaries, chapters, and highlights and ask questions of the AI during the meeting. This feature of Zoom is still very new and is still developing. More information about Zoom can be found here.
Biswal, A. (2023, November 6). 7 Types of Artificial Intelligence That You Should Know in 2024. https://www.simplilearn.com/tutorials/artificial-intelligence-tutorial/types-of-artificial-intelligence#branches_of_artificial_intelligence
Coursera Staff. (2023, November 29). 4 Types of AI: Getting to Know Artificial Intelligence. https://www.coursera.org/articles/types-of-ai
GCFLearnFree. (2023, July 27). What is AI- AL Basics [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4RqCSD--Dg
Sahota, N. (2022, September 22). 7 Types of Artificial Intelligence (With Examples). https://www.neilsahota.com/7-types-of-artificial-intelligence-with-examples/
WSJ News. (2023, April 3). AI, Explained: Why It’s Different This Time | WSJ Tech News Briefing [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8liUOepAO9s
