What is AI? Everything you need to know about Artificial Intelligence

Far from being the stuff of science-fiction, artificial intelligence, or AI, is becoming an increasingly common sight in today's world.

Combining the latest powerful software with top-of-the-range hardware, AI tools are being used to transform many areas of everyday life, from healthcare to traffic problems.

But what is AI, and how is it being used today? Here is our guide to everything you need to know, and some of the most innovative and interesting use cases around today.

What is AI?

For years, it was thought that computers would never be more powerful than the human brain, but as development has accelerated in modern times, this has proven to be not the case.

AI as a concept refers to computing hardware being able to essentially think for itself, and make decisions based on the data it is being fed. AI systems are often hugely complex and powerful, with the ability to process unfathomable depths of information in an extremely quick time in order to come to an effective conclusion.

Thanks to detailed algorithms, AI systems are now able to perform mammoth computing tasks much faster and more efficiently than human minds, helping making big strides in research and development areas around the world.

Some of the most notable real-world applications of AI are IBM's Watson, which is being used to power research in a huge range of fields,  with Microsoft's Azure Machine Learning and TensorFlow also making headlines around the world.

But AI-powered smart assistants are becoming a common presence on mobile devices too, with the likes of Siri, Cortana and Alexa all being welcomed into many people's lives.

There seems no limit to the applications of AI technologies, and perhaps the most exciting aspect of the ecosystem is that there's no telling where it can go next, and what problems it may ultimately be able to solve.

AI latest news and launches

16/12 - AI’s future is entirely human-centric

From augmenting skills to mimicry of the brain...

15/12 - Salesforce: Why AI might just save the world

The future of AI is nearly here, and Salesforce is leading the charge...

03/12 - Amazon’s new AI keyboard could compose hit pop songs in the future

But for now it remains a fun exercise in machine learning for developers...

20/11 - Vodafone to build AI analytics platform on Google Cloud

Operator reaches deals with Google Cloud and Ryanair...

19/11 - Salesforce is using Amazon AI to make call centres better than ever

Amazon Connect offers a wide range of tools to customer agents...

12/11 - AI ready to disrupt the property market

Real estate ready for automation...

06/03 - Why AI could be one of the most disruptive technologies in history

Could AI be the cure to the woes of today's businesses?...

04/03 - Juniper Networks looks to bring AI to IT with Mist Systems acquisition

Acquisition will help boost Juniper's software-defined enterprise portfolio...

04/03 - AI systems are a threat – but not the way Elon Musk claims

Regulating algorithms isn't the answer...

01/03 - Are AI composers the future of music?

Wired for sound...

01/03 - Overcoming the AI talent gap isn’t as hard as you think

Building an effective AI talent strategy begins with a core vision...

27/02 - Google Docs' AI grammar suggestions arrive for all G Suite users

Even wider release expected in the future...

13/02 - IBM frees Watson AI to work on any cloud

Watson Anywhere plan looks to free up AI platform across multiple clouds...

11/02 - Trump administration orders research into AI

American AI Initiative calls for increased investment into AI research and development...

11/02 - AI, 5G and the race to completely autonomous vehicles

Now is the time to implement a data-centric architecture...

08/02 - Securing the playbook: safeguarding robotics in the AI-age

Cyberattacks against robots are on the rise...

06/02 - How AI can prevent a Marriott situation from happening again

Early detection is essential to limiting the effects of breach...

01/02 - AI is transformational for businesses of all sizes

The case for democratizing artificial intelligence...

31/01 - US and China take worldwide AI lead

Race for AI dominance heats up as US and Chinese tech giants file AI patents...

21/01 - Over a third of companies now use AI in some way 

AI deployment has tripled in the past year...

17/01 - Amazon's new AI, robotics and space conference promises a glimpse of the future 

Astronauts get in free...

14/01 - NHS trials AI software to beat breast cancer 

The race to train AI to read medical scans is on...

14/01 - How AI is transforming the way doctors treat patients 

New technologies lower risks and provide richer insights...

14/01 - How AI is struggling to keep a lid on the social media tinderbox

Can artificial intelligence really keep it under control?

09/01 - UK leading the way in AI jobs 

Though most are located outside of London...

28/12 - Step away from the AI fanfare and focus on software reliability

Creating a robust and bug free foundation for AI...

24/12 - DeepRay’s use of AI technology makes it better than the human eye

Digital imaging and video is getting smarter...

21/12 - Could 2019 be the year AI and automation become mainstream?

Businesses find new ways to utilise AI and automation...

19/12 - The AI checklist: making artificial intelligence a reality

Six ways to get the most out of AI...

17/12 - AI took over the world in 2018 

AI Index Report reveals massive growth in investment and development of new tech...

17/12 - Google's latest AI experiment lets you conduct an orchestra in your browser

Maestro, your webcam awaits...

14/12 - Could AI remove the need for humans in HR?

AI and machine learning are already being used to aid in the recruitment...process

12/12 - Get ready for an AI Christmas

Accenture report finds AI will play a major role for many this Christmas...

11/12 - UK workers still doubt AI will steal all their jobs

Even as employers replace current roles with technology...

11/12 - Reaching the level of trust needed for mass AI adoption

AI has an increasingly ubiquitous presence in the lives of consumers...

11/12 - AI is helping people regain mobility and control over their lives

Facial gestures could be the way forward...

11/12 - AI is not here to take jobs, just to make work more meaningful  

Accomplish more with AI...

30/11 - AI as banking’s WD-40: five examples of a frictionless future

The business opportunity applied AI presents can't be overlooked...

29/11 - Qualcomm pledges $100m to AI startups

Qualcomm targets on-device AI firms...

28/11 - Amazon is bringing AI to help read medical records

Deep learning trained algorithm compiles patient data into a spreadsheet-like report...

28/11 - Enabling better patient care with AI automation 

Hospitals are utilising automation to provide a better patient experience...

26/11 - Transforming the recruitment process with AI

Using machine learning algorithms to match the right freelancer with the job...

21/11 - Apple acquires AI software firm

Tech giant reportedly purchased the AI startup Silk Labs earlier this year...

16/11 - BlackBerry signs $1.4bn AI cybersecurity deal

Acquisition of Cylance sees BlackBerry double-down on cybersecurity...

15/11 - Samsung invests $22bn in AI and 5G

Korean tech giant aims to control 20 per cent of the network equipment market...

14/11 - AI and the next generation of search engines

How can users claim and enforce ownership of their own self-generated data?

14/11 - Oracle ramps up UK AI investment

Software giant looks to double AI team in Reading as part of major UK expansion...

12/11 - Microsoft: The future of security is AI

AI and Machine Learning set to play a major part in Microsoft’s security strategy...

31/10 - IBM and RFU team up for technology grand slam

IBM partnership promises technological innovation at all levels of English rugby...

31/10 - UK businesses falling behind by not embracing AI

Microsoft report calls on British firms to step up their AI activities...

30/10 - Telefonica reveals its rulebook for AI  

"Principles of Artificial Intelligence" covers equality, transparency, security and much more...

29/10 - Employees don't want work software on their personal devices

Vast majority object to being forced to install company software on their smartphones...

29/10 - Artificial Intelligence gives businesses real insights into their customers 

Feefo's Neil McIlroy tells us why AI can transform a number of industries...

26/10 - The future of work in the age of AI

In future we will all work side by side with robots and sometimes even closer than that...

25/10 - IBM has created an AI perfumer that can design brand new fragrances

To boldly smell what no man has smelled before...

23/10 - Checks and balances in AI deployment

Preventing the robot takeover...

22/10 - What does AI in a phone really mean?

Machine learning is used in a lot of ways in our phones...

17/10 - This AI litter tray analyzes your cat's health and uses NASA tech to clean itself

Smart toilet eliminates stink at the molecular level...

10/10 - Why are enterprises slow to adopt machine learning?

A lack of understanding about machine learning is holding enterprises back from adopting this emerging technology...

04/10 - Steve Wozniak: Don’t worry, AI won’t kill us all - yet

Apple co-founder casts doubts on how AI could take over...

04/10 - In-car AI could soon know if you're having a good or bad day

Take it at face value...

30/09 - The regional gap in AI adoption

A look at how different regions are adopting emerging AI technologies...

27/09 - Human plus AI – that’s how automation creates the real digital workforce

AI makes employees more productive while opening up access to new capabilities...

25/09 - Behind the scenes: powering AI transformation with High Performance Computing

High Performance Computing is helping developers create powerful AI and machine learning applications

24/09 - Deezer could make song playlists smarter with AI mood detection

Hooked on a feeling...

19/09 - Certification for AI technology could soon be a reality

A spanner in the works of the robot uprising...

19/09 - IBM is opening up the secrets of AI

New service will give reasons behind algorithm decisions and remove AI bias...

18/09 - AI could be the secret weapon of the security industry

Harnessing AI systems could help combat rise in IoT attacks, Aruba study finds...

18/09 - Can AI actually make work more human?

Study finds AI could help streamline work processes to boost efficiency...

18/09 - Healthcare leads the way when it comes to AI investment

New report reveals how AI is set to transform the future of healthcare...

18/09 - Start experimenting with AI to improve your customer service today 

A step by step guide for starting out using AI and machine learning...

09/08 - Intel reveals major AI chip push

AI hardware brought in over $1bn last year, Intel says...

08/08 - AI drones could work as aerial sheepdogs to herd birds away from airports 

A new way to prevent bird strikes...

08/08 - Samsung invests billions in 5G and AI

Samsung's £17bn investment programme looks to guard against smartphone slowdown...

02/08 - Why AI is the best tool to help build your next website

Wix chief tells us about AI's influence on the web design world...

31/07 - Worldwide AI investment to top $200bn by 2025  

KPMG report highlights major opportunities for AI, machine learning and RPA...

25/07 - Google is bringing AI to the call centre

Call centres set to get smarter than ever as Google also reveals new Machine Learning tools...

19/07 - Elon Musk and fellow tech giants pledge to only use AI for good

Hundreds of firms sign up to promise not to build AI weaponry...

17/07 - AI may not be a UK job killer

AI will create as many jobs as it is claimed it will destroy, PwC report predicts...

16/07 - Huawei is preparing a major AI hardware push

Mysterious "Da Vinci" project could mean super-smart networking equipment and AI chips...

14/07 - Wimbledon 2018: How IBM Watson is serving up the best viewer experience

We see how the world’s greatest tennis tournament is using IBM Watson for its smartest viewing experience yet...

12/07 - No more noise? NVIDIA researchers develop AI that removes image noise

Noisy photos could one day be just a bad memory...

05/07 - UK and France sign major AI agreement

Cross-government partnership will see British and French organisations work together on cutting-edge AI technology...

04/07 - Facebook buys British AI company to help it better understand human speech

Facebook has bought Bloomsbury AI, a British company specializing in natural language processing...

28/06 - Two thirds of UK workers want more duties automated

A study of 1,200 UK workers has found that many people believe machines shouldn't replace people in boring meetings, but they're welcome to take the minutes...

22/06 - Microsoft gives Marks & Spencer an AI facelift

One of the UK's oldest shops is set for a technology makeover after Marks and Spencer announced a new partnership with Microsoft. The computing giant will be working with M&S to bring its AI technologies into the company's stores and customer experiences, helping transform the 134-year-old institution into a "Digital First" retailer...

19/06 - Facebook's AI can take your blinking selfies and digitally open your eyes

Using a machine learning technique called 'generative adversarial network,' or GAN, Facebook researchers taught an AI to observe a picture in which you blinked, compare it to an unblinking photo of you, and then use “in-painting” to substitute your closed eyelids for open eyes...

19/06 - Hisense's AI TV will make you an armchair World Cup expert

At CES Asia, China's biggest technology show, Hisense demonstrated its vision with an AI-powered TV that works as a virtual football pundit to help even non-fans wrap their heads around all the tournament's finer details...

15/06 - Gmail turns to AI for smarter email notifications on your phone

As part of the recent Gmail redesign, Google unveiled a new feature, currently for iOS only, that ensures your Gmail app only sends you push notifications when “high-priority” emails come in...

15/06 - Major Windows 10 updates are getting better and faster with AI

Microsoft has revealed that it used artificial intelligence to drive the speed and efficiency of the rollout of its latest April 2018 Update for Windows 10...

11/06 - London hailed as AI capital of Europe

London has been named as the AI capital of Europe in a new report that highlights the UK's standing as one of the top technology hubs in the world...

08/06 - Google creates its own AI rulebook - promises it won't go all Terminator on us

Google may have quietly dropped its Don't Be Evil tagline but it is still firmly in the 'we're not planning to end the world' camp when it comes to AI. To prove it, it's released a comprehensive list of guidelines that it is going to adhere to when it comes to everything it is doing with AI...

07/06 - MIT creates 'psychopath' AI using the dark side of Reddit

To study how AI can become corrupted by biased data, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) decided to intentionally turn its AI into a psychopath named Norman—a reference to the villain in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho... 

07/05 - Microsoft wants to empower people with disabilities through AI for Accessibility

Microsoft is greatly expanding its mission to help those with disabilities through AI for Accessibility. The software maker announced the new $25 million, 5-year program designed to empower one-billion people with disabilities around the world through AI. To this end, Microsoft will put its money and resources towards helping developers to accelerate the development of accessible and intelligent AI solutions...