Artificial intelligence

Definition

Artificial intelligence (abbreviated AI) is the transfer of human intelligence to machines. Artificial intelligence thus replicates human characteristics such as logical thinking, planning and communication. AI systems can learn independently from data sets, recognize correlations from them, and derive conclusions or decisions.

Forms of Artificial Intelligence

Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence that deals with the development of models for machines to learn independently from data and make predictions on their own. In this area of Artificial Intelligence, patterns in the data are to be recognized and predictions made from them by the AI. 

Deep learning also belongs to the field of artificial intelligence. This form of AI is subordinate to machine learning and deals with complex networks. In large data sets, this subfield of artificial intelligence can recognize patterns and independently improve the structure within them. This method is often considered the most important in the field of Artificial Intelligence, because due to the replication of human cognitive abilities, AI systems can solve complex issues.

Artificial Intelligence Research and Influences

Artificial intelligence not only provides insights that are relevant to other research areas, such as neuroinformatics. In the study of AI itself, the results and experiences from other sciences are also included. These include mathematics or logic as well as neuroscience, psychology, communication science, or linguistics. Finally, AI corresponds to an open space for research that brings diverse disciplines into a context, even if they do not have this context by themselves.

Everyday examples of artificial intelligence

The areas of application for AI are diverse. Artificial intelligence is widespread in everyday life in particular, even if one might not assume it directly. Virtual assistants and chatbots are therefore the most obvious. But search engines, translation tools, Google Maps and facial recognition on smartphones also use artificial intelligence. Autonomous driving and virtual or augmented reality will also be made possible by AI and will be indispensable in the future. 

Special application area of artificial intelligence: food retailing 

An important area of application for artificial intelligence is food retailing. Here, AI can be used, for example, for order automation and order optimization of food quantities. Artificial intelligence in food retailing creates a whole range of benefits such as:

• an optimal availability of goods
• a returns optimization
• a more sustainable production 
• reduce food waste

This also improves logistics as well as the efficiency of production planning along the supply chain.