What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence is the study of how to make computers do things, which at the moment people do better. (Rich, 1991.) This definition is somewhat vague since contemporary computers do many things much better than humans, particularly when it comes to problem solving and problem solving is considered to be a measure of intelligence in many different contexts. But machines may be regarded as intelligent only when they are capable of coping up with the myriad of simple problems which ordinary people overcome as a matter of routine. Real time problems are no unique. They may vary in their shape and size. There are problems, which can be solved by practice and perseverance. Some by flair and intuition. Some with obscure knowledge. Some using common sense.

So redefining AI, it is a field of study that encompasses computational techniques for performing tasks that apparently require intelligence when performed by humans. Such problems include virtually the entire myriad of problems encountered by men. AI is the technology associated with reasoning, learning and perception. Fundamental issues concerned are knowledge representation, search, perception and inference.

Another key attribute of AI is that it is both an Art as well as a Science. The process of developing an intelligent computer system employs both proved principles , empirical results of studying previous systems, which is an indication for being a science and heuristic, pragmatic programming techniques which exhibits arts type of nature. This is one reason for AI to be a fascinating field - its complementarities for art and science. It gives room for creativity as well as supports a lot of mature ideas.