What Is AI?

Today you can:

AI learns patterns from examples. Ordinary software follows fixed rules.

Key words

AI: software that learns patterns from examples

Algorithm: a set of steps a computer follows

Model: the pattern-finding result of that learning

Google Maps estimates your travel time by learning from how traffic usually moves on that road at that hour.

UPI apps and banks look for payment patterns that seem unusual so a suspicious transaction can be flagged for checking.

Choose the better label for each. Some are clearly AI. Some are just fixed rules.

A calculator adding 18% GST to a bill

A calculator follows fixed arithmetic rules. No learning from examples.

A phone keyboard that suggests your next word

It learned common word patterns, and may adapt to how you write.

A school bell timer that rings at 10:00 every day

A fixed schedule. Nothing is learned.

An app that recognises a face to unlock the phone

It compares patterns learned from many face images.

A spreadsheet formula =A1+B1

A fixed rule, the same every time.

1. Which best describes AI?Software that follows only fixed rulesSoftware that learns patterns from examplesA person who lives inside the phone

AI learns patterns from examples. Fixed-rule software does not.

2. Which is an everyday example of AI?A paper calendarVoice typing that turns speech into textA light switch

Speech to text is a pattern-recognition job done by AI.

3. Can AI be wrong?Never, it is a computerYes, and sometimes it sounds very sureOnly when the internet is off

AI makes guesses. A confident tone does not make an answer correct.