TO: Prof. Jason Ellis
FROM: Edward Dominguez
DATE: MARCH 26, 2021
SUBJECT: Expanded Definition of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Table of Contents
INTRO
This is an expanded definition that explores the term “artificial intelligence” as a general introduction for undergraduates that are studying computer information technology. I chose the term artificial intelligence because it is relevant in today’s society. In the following document, I discuss several definitions of artificial intelligence, then I compare and contrast different contextual uses of artificial intelligence and finally, I write my own working definition of the term based on these definitions and contextual examples.
DEFINITION
“The capacity of computers or other machines to exhibit or simulate intelligent behaviour; the field of study concerned with this. Abbreviated AI.” (McGraw-Hill, 1977). In this definition, artificial intelligence is the magnitude of machines that can show intelligent behavior.
“Computer systems that can perform intelligent human tasks, such as decision-making. Intelligence demonstrated by machines, in contrast to the natural intelligence displayed by humans and other animals. In some cases artificial intelligence is applied when a machine mimics cognitive functions that humans associate with other human minds, such as learning and problem-solving.” (Oxford University Press, 2020). In this definition, artificial intelligence is defined as computer systems that can accomplish complex human tasks. Also, artificial intelligence can be applied to machines that copy cognitive functions that are associated with the human mind. Certain tasks that machines are able to do can be defined as artificial intelligence, include learning, decision-making, and problem-solving. This definition relates to the previous definition of (McGraw-Hill, 1977), the particular reason for this circumstance is both definitions state that artificial intelligence is when machines are able to replicate intelligent behavior. One may use this definition (Oxford University Press, 2020), instead of the previous definition (McGraw-Hill, 1977) because it has a much deeper definition and because more examples of artificial intelligence is given. Even though the first definition was written in 1977, it is still holds up as a valid definition.
CONTEXT
“Amazon.com also groups together people with similar interests and uses all of their data to make better recommendations to the group. The more a person uses any of these services, the better the recommendations get. Users’ actions train the AI to better understand what they like.”(Hulick, 2016). In this quote, the term artificial intelligence is used as a way to show how artificial intelligence learns from the user’s data to figure out what that specific user likes. This shows how AI is being used in our daily lives today. This context relates to the definition of (Oxford University Press, 2020), because AI is learning and picking up things from the user in order to help recommend items for that specific user. This context also relates to the definition of (McGraw-Hill, 1977), because the system is showing intelligent behavior by learning.
“Humans decided to give to driverless cars and many other AI equipped machines the power to make sometimes life-critical decisions. As such, ethical and moral dimensions must be taken into consideration and attention given to this aspect. Furthermore, if we are even capable of making an algorithm which will be able to use ethical patterns of humans” (Nikolic, Yang, 2020). The context uses the term “artificial intelligence” as technology that is being used today to make life or death decisions. The important decisions that artificial intelligence has to make and the consequences if something goes wrong, makes us questions if AI like this, is morally right to have in society. The context’s use of artificial intelligence also relates to the second definition (Oxford University Press, 2020) where AI can perform intelligent human tasks such as a driverless car. The way artificial intelligence is used in this context relates to the last context of (Hulick, 2016) where artificial intelligence is used by companies to help users find recommendations for items online while in the context of (Nikolic, Yang, (2020) artificial intelligence is used to make driverless cars. Both contexts show different ways artificial intelligence can be used to help people. Although artificial intelligence can help many people, it can also raise many questions about how ethical and moral due to the fact that many things that errors and mistakes can happen, especially because AI technology still isn’t
WORKING DEFINITION
           Artificial intelligence is when machines are able to learn on their own to make complex decisions that mimic human intelligence such as learning, problem solving and much more. Artificial intelligence can be found everywhere in today’s society, we use it every time we use our smartphones, media applications, and much more. We are becoming more and more dependent to artificial intelligence. As time progresses, artificial intelligence will continue to grow. AI technology is important now and will become even more important in the future.
References
Gorse, C., Johnston, D., & Pritchard, M. (Eds.). (2020). A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering (2 ed.). Oxford University Press Retrieved March 4, 2020, from  https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198832485.001.0001/acref-9780198832485-e-8189?rskey=7AdcY1&result=1
Hulick, K. (2016). Artificial intelligence . Essential Library
McGraw-Hill. (1977). Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved March 4, 2021, https://www-oed-com.citytech.ezproxy.cuny.edu/view/Entry/271625?redirectedFrom=artificial+intelligence#eid
Nikolic, P. K., & Yang, H. (2020). Artificial Intelligence Clone Generated Content toward Robot
Creativity and Machine Mindfulness. Mobile Networks & Applications, 25(4), 15041513. https://doi-org.citytech.ezproxy.cuny.edu/10.1007/s11036-019-01281-z
