Lesson 1.1: Understanding AI

Welcome to Module 1! In this lesson, we'll explore the basics of artificial intelligence and its history.

Brief history of AI: AI isn't a new concept; it has roots that date back to the mid-20th century. Researchers and scientists have been working on creating machines that can mimic human intelligence and perform tasks like problem-solving and decision-making.

Defining artificial intelligence: AI refers to the capability of machines to imitate human intelligence. It involves creating computer systems that can perform tasks that usually require human intelligence, such as understanding language, recognizing patterns, and making decisions.

AI vs. human intelligence: While AI can perform specific tasks incredibly well, it's important to note that it's not the same as human intelligence. Humans have a broader understanding of the world, emotions, and common sense, which AI currently lacks.

Diagram: Evolution of AI

Lesson 1.2: Types of AI

AI can be categorized into two main types: narrow (weak) AI and general (strong) AI.

Narrow (Weak) AI: Narrow AI is designed to excel at a specific task. It's the type of AI we commonly encounter today. For example, voice assistants like Siri and recommendation systems on streaming platforms are examples of narrow AI.

General (Strong) AI: General AI is a more advanced form of AI that can understand, learn, and apply knowledge across a wide range of tasks, similar to human intelligence. However, we haven't achieved this level of AI yet.

Diagram: Narrow AI vs. General AI

Lesson 1.3: AI in Pop Culture

AI has captured the imagination of writers, filmmakers, and creators for years, often leading to interesting portrayals in popular culture.

Recognizable AI in Movies and Books: From HAL 9000 in "2001: A Space Odyssey" to the sentient robots in Isaac Asimov's novels, AI has been a recurring theme in science fiction, both as helpful allies and potential threats.

Separating Fiction from Reality: It's essential to differentiate between the AI depicted in movies and the AI we have today. While we're making significant advancements, we're still far from creating sentient robots like those in movies.

Diagram: AI in Pop Culture