AI: The History – From Beginnings to Breakthroughs

Wednesdays are dedicated to science and technology. In our first series, we focus on one of the most talked-about topics today – artificial intelligence. This series explores the intriguing world of AI, taking you on a journey through its history, current applications, and future possibilities. You'll discover how AI has evolved over time, its transformative impact across industries like healthcare, education, and entertainment, and the ethical challenges and risks it poses. Designed to provide clear and concise insights, this series offers a comprehensive overview of one of the most revolutionary technologies shaping our world today. Perfect for anyone curious about the past, present, and future of AI.

Transcript

Welcome to today’s episode, where we’ll explore the fascinating history of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is a term we hear more and more often nowadays, but its roots go back much further than you might think. Let’s dive into how this technology has evolved and how it influences our everyday lives.

The beginnings of artificial intelligence can be traced back to the 1950s. In 1950, British mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing published a famous paper called "Computing Machinery and Intelligence." In it, Turing posed the fundamental question: Can machines think? He introduced what is now known as the Turing test, designed to determine whether a computer could imitate human behavior so convincingly that a person wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

Throughout the 1950s, there were early attempts to create truly "intelligent" machines. In 1956, the now-famous Dartmouth Conference was held, where the term "artificial intelligence" was used for the first time. This conference is considered the official start of research in AI. Key figures like John McCarthy, Marvin Minsky, and Claude Shannon laid the foundations for the modern approach to AI.

In the 1960s, the development of artificial intelligence accelerated. The first programs capable of solving mathematical problems or playing simple games like chess were created. One of the most famous examples is "ELIZA," a program that simulated a conversation with a psychotherapist. Although it was a simple program, it demonstrated that even basic conversation could have a significant psychological impact on users.

However, in the 1970s, interest in artificial intelligence declined. This period, known as the "AI winter," was due to overly ambitious expectations that didn’t match the technical capabilities of the time. The computers of that era weren’t powerful enough to handle more complex tasks, leading to a lack of funding and support for AI research.

In the 1980s, there was a renewed interest in AI. This resurgence was partly driven by the development of so-called "expert systems," which could provide advice based on predefined rules. For example, systems used in medicine helped doctors diagnose diseases based on symptoms. While these systems weren’t truly "intelligent," they demonstrated that AI could have practical applications.

Another breakthrough occurred in the 1990s, as computing power significantly improved. In 1997, something many thought impossible happened – the computer Deep Blue defeated reigning world chess champion Garry Kasparov. This achievement showed that computers could surpass human abilities in specific areas.

With the turn of the millennium, AI began to penetrate many areas of our lives. Thanks to the internet and the rapid development of data centers, new possibilities opened up for machine learning and neural networks. AI started to be used in fields like image recognition, voice assistants, and text translation. Companies like Google, Amazon, and Tesla began investing heavily in AI development, contributing to its rapid growth.

Today, artificial intelligence is part of our daily lives. Whether you’re using a voice assistant to check the weather or getting the perfect search results on the internet, these advances are all thanks to AI. In the future, we can expect AI to play an even bigger role, for example, in autonomous vehicles, healthcare, or the development of new technologies.

At the same time, questions about ethics and safety arise. Many experts warn of the risks associated with advanced AI, which could have a negative impact on society if not properly regulated. On the other hand, artificial intelligence has enormous potential to solve complex global problems, such as climate change or pandemics.

The history of artificial intelligence is a story of continuous development, with its ups and downs. Yet, it seems that the future of AI is full of possibilities and challenges waiting to be addressed.

Thank you for listening!