Artificial Intelligence Includes: Expert Systems neural networks fuzzy logic natural language understanding computer games Agents robotics Let us consider just a few of them: expert systems: computer application that makes decisions in real-life situations that would otherwise be performed by a human expert. neural networks: systems that simulate intelligence by reproducing the types of physical connections found in animal or even human brains. Because of the current technology limitations, the number of these connections is small (in terms of billions of connections found in human brain), but still capable of reproducing some very interesting behaviour in a number of disciplines such as voice or optical-character recognition and natural-language processing. fuzzy logic: type of logic that recognizes more than simple true and false values. It represents a departure from classical two-valued sets and logic, that uses "soft" linguistic (e.g. large, small, hot, cold, warm) system variables and a continuous range of truth values in the interval [0,1], rather than strict binary (True or False) decisions and assignments. natural language understanding: programming computers to understand and interact with users in natural languages like English. Related to the voice (speech) recognition which converts spoken dialogue to the computer-readable text, but without understanding the real meaning of that text. computer games: development of computer games is a fast-growing, multi-billion business. "AI inside" feature is very desirable because it ensures increased profit and user satisfaction. It is also known that the best computer chess programs are now capable of beating humans. Some two years ago, the world chess champion Gary Kasparov was defeated by an IBM super-computer called Deep Blue. agents: a computational entity which acts on behalf of other (most often human) entities in an autonomous fashion, performs its actions with some level of proactivity and/or reactiveness and exhibits some level of the key attributes of learning, co-operation and mobility. Imagine having your own "smart" agent that could watch new articles on the Usenet, and deliver only the most interesting ones (according to your preferences), instead of having to browse throuh thousands of new messages each day. robotics: programming computers to see, hear and react to sensory stimuli. Probably the most attractive field of AI for newcomers. Includes several very different approaches: see BEAM robotics Web sites and MIT's Cog project for more info on this.

The Brain vs. The Computer: Similarities and Differences Throughout history, people have compared the brain to different inventions. In the past, the brain has been said to be like a water clock and a telephone switchboard. These days, the favorite invention that the brain is compared to is a computer. Some people use this comparison to say that the computer is better than the brain; some people say that the comparison shows that the brain is better than the computer. Perhaps, it is best to say that the brain is better at doing some jobs and the computer is better at doing other jobs. Let's see how the brain and the computer are similar and different.

Both use electrical signals. The brain uses chemicals to transmit information; the computer uses electricity. Even though electrical signals travel at high speeds in the nervous system, they travel even faster through the wires in a computer

Both transmit information Both transmit information. A computer uses switches that are either on or off ("binary"). In a way, neurons in the brain are either on or off by either firing an action potential or not firing an action potential.

Both can adapt and learn Both can adapt and learn. It is much easier and faster for the brain to learn new things. Yet, the computer can do many complex tasks at the same time ("multitasking") that are difficult for the brain.

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Both have evolved over time Both have evolved over time. The human brain has weighed in at about 3 pounds for about the last 100,000 years. Computers have evolved much faster than the human brain.

Both need energy. The brain needs nutrients like oxygen and sugar for power; the computer needs electricity to keep working.

Both can be damaged. It is easier to fix a computer - just get new parts. Both can be damaged. It is easier to fix a computer - just get new parts. There are no new or used parts for the brain. However, some work is being done with transplantation of nerve cells for certain neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Both a computer and a brain can get "sick" - a computer can get a "virus" and there are many diseases that affect the brain. The brain has "built-in back up systems" in some cases. If one pathway in the brain is damaged, there is often another pathway that will take over this function of the damaged pathway.

Both can change and be modified Both can change and be modified. The brain is always changing and being modified. The computer only changes when new hardware or software is added or something is saved in memory. There is no "off" for the brain - even when an animal is sleeping, its brain is still active and working. The computer only changes when new hardware or software is added or something is saved in memory. There IS an "off" for a computer. When the power to a computer is turned off, signals are not transmitted.

Both can do math and other logical tasks. The computer is faster at doing logical things and computations. However, the brain is better at interpreting the outside world and coming up with new ideas. The brain is capable of imagination.

Both brains and computers are studied by scientists Both brains and computers are studied by scientists. Scientists understand how computers work. There are thousands of neuroscientists studying the brain. Nevertheless, there is still much more to learn about the brain. "There is more we do NOT know about the brain, than what we do know about the brain"