Chapter 03 / 17
What is AI?
Artificial intelligence is a name for computer systems that can perform tasks we associate with human thinking, such as recognising patterns or generating text.
Patterns, not magic
An AI system can learn from examples and use those patterns to predict an answer to a new question. It does not understand the world in exactly the way a person does.
Many kinds of tasks
Some systems sort photos, some recommend songs, and some help write or draw. The task and the training data shape what each system can do.
Nia spots a pattern
Nia noticed that her music app often suggested upbeat songs after she played a few. She wondered if it could read her mind. Her brother said no: the app was using patterns in listening choices to make a guess about what might come next.
Nia tried a different playlist and got some odd suggestions, including a song for a marching band. She learned that AI can spot patterns and make useful guesses, but it does not think or understand exactly like a person. People still choose what to play.
A real-life example
A photo app can group pictures that look alike, such as photos of the same pet. It is matching visual patterns, not knowing your pet the way you do.
Be the pattern finder
- Write down six things you did this morning.
- Circle any actions that happened more than once.
- Guess what one action you might do tomorrow.
- Ask a friend what clues helped you make the guess.