Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Agents

Question-and-Answer style flashcards covering definitions, goals, disciplines, advantages, disadvantages, prerequisites, and applications of Artificial Intelligence.

What is the formal definition of Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

A branch of computer science that creates intelligent machines able to behave, think, and make decisions like humans.

In the phrase “artificial intelligence,” what does the word “artificial” signify?

That the thinking power is man-made or non-natural.

Within AI, what does “intelligence” refer to?

Thinking power—the capability to think, understand, and decide autonomously.

Which three key human-based skills does AI aim to replicate?

Learning, reasoning, and problem solving.

Define learning in the context of AI.

The process of acquiring new understanding, knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, attitudes, and preferences.

Define reasoning in the context of AI.

Thinking about something logically to form a conclusion or judgment.

List the classic steps involved in problem solving.

Identify the problem, prioritize it, select alternative solutions, implement the chosen solution.

Why doesn’t AI require explicit pre-programming for every task?

Because algorithms enable machines to apply human-like intelligence and act on their own.

Give two reasons studying AI is important for solving real-world problems.

It enables creation of accurate software/devices for health issues, traffic management, marketing, and more.

Provide two examples of AI applications in healthcare.

Automated diagnosis and personalized treatment planning; analyzing electronic health records for disease prevention.

How has AI been used to improve traffic flow?

Computer-vision systems manage intersections efficiently and reduce fuel consumption.

Name three popular AI-powered personal virtual assistants.

Cortana, Google Assistant, and Siri.

How can AI-powered robots benefit dangerous work environments?

They replace humans in risky or tedious jobs, such as bomb disposal or toxic areas.

How does AI facilitate technological innovation?

By continuously solving new problems, it opens paths to new technologies, devices, and opportunities.

List five main goals of Artificial Intelligence.

Replicate human intelligence; solve knowledge-intensive tasks; connect perception with action; perform tasks needing human intelligence (e.g., theorem proving, surgery, driving); create systems that learn, explain, and advise users.

Into which two general categories do mathematical AI problems fall?

Search problems and representation problems.

Name four mathematical tools or models widely used in AI.

Rules, frames, logics, and nets.

How does biology inspire AI development?

Reinforcement-learning algorithms are modeled on biological learning systems found in animals.

What is reinforcement learning?

An AI learning method where agents learn by receiving rewards or penalties for their actions.

How does psychology contribute to AI?

Provides models of cognitive intelligence—thinking, sense-making, problem solving, reasoning.

Why is sociology relevant to AI system design?

Understanding social structures and inequalities helps build AI that promotes fairness and equality.

Explain the relationship among AI, machine learning, and deep learning.

Machine learning is a subset of AI; deep learning is a subset of machine learning.

What does neuroscience offer to AI researchers?

Inspiration to emulate human intelligence and design neural networks that mimic brain structure.

Describe the role of statistics in AI.

Data collection, analysis, causality assessment, uncertainty measurement—core to both theory and practice of AI.

Why are AI systems said to provide high accuracy?

They base decisions on extensive prior data/experience, reducing human error.

Explain AI’s advantage of high speed.

AI processes information and makes decisions much faster than humans, e.g., beating chess champions.

Why are AI machines considered highly reliable?

They can repeat the same actions consistently with high accuracy.

Give two examples of risky areas where AI can be deployed.

Bomb defusal and deep-sea exploration.

How do e-commerce sites use AI as a digital assistant?

By recommending products tailored to individual customer preferences.

Name three public-utility applications of AI.

Self-driving cars, facial-recognition security, and natural-language processing interfaces.

What is a primary financial drawback of AI systems?

High cost of specialized hardware, software, and ongoing maintenance.

Why can’t current AI systems “think out of the box”?

They only perform tasks for which they have been trained or programmed.

State two human qualities AI lacks due to having no emotions.

Emotional attachment with users and empathy, which can lead to harmful outcomes if misused.

How does AI increase human dependency on machines?

People rely more on automated systems, potentially reducing their own mental capabilities.

Why is AI limited in original creativity compared with humans?

It cannot match human imaginative power to generate truly novel ideas.

List two prerequisites for studying AI effectively.

Programming knowledge (e.g., Python, C/C++/Java) and fundamental mathematics (derivatives, probability).

Provide four sectors that benefit from AI applications.

Astronomy, healthcare, gaming, finance, data security, and social media (any four).

How is AI used within the finance industry?

Automation, chatbots, adaptive intelligence, algorithmic trading, and machine-learning-driven analytics.

How does AI enhance data security?

AI tools detect bugs and cyber-attacks, helping companies protect sensitive information.

Why is AI crucial for social-media platforms?

It helps store, manage, and analyze billions of user profiles efficiently.