Artificial Intelligence is the type of intelligence that robots are equipped with, as opposed to the natural intelligence that is shown by man and other animals. In IT, the A.I. is a discipline that studies the theoretical bases, the methods and the techniques that allow to create hardware and software systems with performances and cognitive functions like the human intelligence. These include learning, perceiving the environment, taking actions aimed at a predefined goal and the ability to solve problems.
The goals already achieved include the ability to understand human language, drive vehicles in total autonomy, the ability to compete with human intelligence in strategy games and the interpretation of complex information such as images and video. Founded as an academic subject in 1956, A.I. is between science and philosophy, as it is not limited to technological aspects but it also touches ethical issues.
Among the branches of A.I. there are automatic learning, robotics and neural networks: since the beginning of the century in all fields there has been considerable progress, thanks to the increased computational capacity, the best theoretical understanding and the availability of huge amounts of data.
Recently, in Bruxelles, the European Commission presented a series of measures to promote research and development in the field of artificial intelligence, facilitating investment by the public and private sectors. At the same time, it wants to better prepare European society for a life change. The initiative comes as international research has revealed that half of the jobs will be called to reform because of artificial intelligence.
Just like the steam engine and electricity in the past, artificial intelligence is transforming our world and the European Union should invest at least € 500 million in this field from now to 2020.
On the social front, the Commission wants to help the training of young and old people. In summer, six thousand students will be able to benefit from special internships. Still on the digital sphere, Bruxelles wants to facilitate the economic use of data. It was proposed to amend the directive on information from the public sector (PSI Directive). The executive community wants to promote the dissemination of data, particularly in the transport and utilities sector. The use of public data should see its economic value rise from 52 billion euros in 2018 to 194 billion euros in 2030.
In May 25th Quarry Up will be at Wired Next fest in Milan to learn more about Artificial Intelligence.