CH 1: Introduction to AI Agents, Blockchain, and Quantum Computing Chapter Objectives

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The creation of machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.

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This intelligence includes learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and understanding language.

• began with simple algorithms to mimic basic human problem-solving and decision-making processes.

• primarily rule-based, programmed to respond to specific inputs with predetermined responses

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Collects large data volumes from diverse sources, such as smart sensors, human-generated content, monitoring tools, and system logs.

• analyzes the data and uses it to assist business operations effectively.

• making software smarter for customized user interactions and complex problem-solving.

Machine Learning (ML)

A subfield of AI, defined as the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior. 

• AI systems are used to perform complex tasks in a way that is similar to how humans solve problems.

• “the field of study that gives computers the ability to learn without explicitly being programmed.”

Deep Learning (DL)

Type of Machine Learning that uses artificial Neural Networks to learn from data.

AI, ML, and DL relation

AI > ML > DL

Types of AI Technologies

• Video generation 

• Image generation 

• Text generation 

• Speech generation 

• Multimodal AI

• Speech to text

• Translation

• Virtual assistants: Siri and Alexa

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Predictive Analytics:

• Medical: analyze medical records and imaging data to assist in diagnoses and treatment plans. 

• Finance: fraud detection, risk assessment, and algorithmic trading. 

• Autonomous vehicles: advanced decision-making algorithms are crucial in navigating complex traffic environments.

Categories of AI

Narrow AI (Weak AI)

General AI (Strong AI)

Super AI

Narrow AI

Weak AI

• Designed for specific tasks

• Limited scope

General AI

Strong AI

• A theoretical AI (remains a goal in AI research)

• Capable of performing any intellectual task a human can do

• Could include Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

Super AI

A hypothetical AI surpassing human intelligence in any field

Internet of Things (IoT)

Network of devices: hardware, software, firmware, and actuators that allow the devices to connect, interact, and freely exchange data and information.

• User or industrial devices that are connected to the internet

• As the number of internet-connected devices continues to grow, increasingly important role in shaping our world.

Blockchain

Offers a decentralized and secure ledger system. This distributed database maintains a continuously growing list of records, known as blocks, linked and secured using cryptography.

• signifies a fundamental shift in storing, organizing, and conducting digital data transactions.

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Each block within a blockchain contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp, and transaction data, making the data within each block resistant to unauthorized modification.

• This feature has profound implications for applications requiring transparent and trustworthy record-keeping.

Blockchain Importantance

Ideal for delivering information because it provides immediate, shared, and observable information, stored on an immutable ledger that only permissioned network members can access. 

• Blockchain networks can track orders, payments, accounts, production and much more.

• See all details of a transaction end to end, giving you greater confidence, and new efficiencies and opportunities.

Blockchain vs. Bitcoin

Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency, while blockchain is a distributed database. 

• Bitcoin promotes anonymity, while blockchain is about transparency

• Bitcoin is powered by blockchain technology, but blockchain has found many uses beyond Bitcoin.

Blockchain’s initial association with Bitcoin has often overshadowed its broader applications.

• Gained recognition for its role in developing and overseeing cryptocurrency

Blockchain: Smart contracts

Self-executing contracts, with the terms of the agreement between buyer and seller being directly written into lines of code.

• automate and enforce contractual agreements with a level of efficiency and security previously unattainable

• extending blockchain’s utility to any scenario that requires contractual agreements (real estate transactions to legal process)

Neural Network

Uses interconnected nodes or neurons in a layered structure that resembles the human brain.

• Creates an adaptive system that computers use to learn from their mistakes and improve continuously

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Allows AI systems to learn from vast amounts of data.

• can make decisions and predictions based on patterns and experiences rather than just preprogrammed rules.

• attempt to solve complicated problems, summarizing documents, natural language processing, speech recognition, faces, and image recognition with greater accuracy

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Before ____, often used rule-based systems which required domain expertise and couldn’t easily adapt to changing conditions.

Quantum Computing

A new approach to processing information that harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics.

• Able to process massively complicated problems at orders of magnitude faster than modern machines

• Processing vast amounts of data simultaneously through quantum bits (qubits) opens up new frontiers in computation and problem-solving.

being used, but they are not yet practical for real-world use.

Principles of quantum mechanics useful for Quantum Computing

Superposition

Entanglement

Decoherence

Interference

Superposition

state in which a quantum particle or system can represent not just one possibility, but a combination of multiple possibilities.

Entanglement

process in which multiple quantum particles become correlated more strongly than regular probability allows.

Decoherence

process in which quantum particles and systems can decay, collapse, or change, converting into single states measurable by classical physics.

Interference

the phenomenon in which entangled quantum states can interact and produce more and less likely probabilities.

Quantum Bits (Qbits)

Possess the unique ability to exist simultaneously in multiple states due to superposition and entanglement, enabling quantum computers to process many possibilities simultaneously.

• Classical computers rely on binary bits (1 & 0) to store and process data

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Can behave like a bit and store either a 1 & 0

• weighted combination of 1 & 0 at the same time

• in superposition can scale exponentially. 2 ___ can compute with 4 pieces of information

• 3 = 8, 4 = 16

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Each qubit can only output a single bit of information at the end of the computation

• Quantum algorithms work by storing and manipulating information in a way inaccessible to classical computers

• Provide speedups for certain problems

Why might we fear AI?

Job Displacement – Is this the same fear that the industrial revolution had?

Bias and Discrimination – could be amplified if trained wrong

Privacy and Surveillance – police state?

Autonomous Weapons – deadly

Loss of Human Control – unpredictable?

Economic Inequality – will this grow?

Dependence on AI – or overdependence on AI?

Why might we have Optimism towards AI?

Passive Income

Increased Efficiency

Medical Advancements

Improved Quality of Life

Tackling Global Challenges

Empowering Creativity

Economic Growth