From Turing Machines To Deep Learning: The Growth Of AI

Scarlett Brown
7 min readJul 6, 2023

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Artificial intelligence has been around for centuries. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s that the real potential of it was investigated. Mathematicians, scientists, and philosophers all had the notion of AI however, the idea was first conceived by British Polymath Alan Turing who proposed that if humans could make use of the available information and reasoning to solve problems and make decisions, then machines ought to be able to perform similar things.

Turing described machines and the best way to measure their capabilities in an article Computing Machinery and Intelligence in 1950. However, his ideas didn’t make much progress due to the issue of computers. In order for further growth to occur, computers had to alter fundamentally. They were able to execute commands, but not save them. Furthermore, there was a problem with funding from 1974 onwards.

In 1974, computers were thriving. They were more efficient, accessible, and were able to keep more data. The first demonstrations, such as Allen Newell and Herbert Simon’s General Problem Solver and Joseph Weizenbaum’s ELIZA proved promising for solving problems and the interpretation of spoken language by machines. However, there was an extended way to go before machines could be able to think abstractly and self-recognize. They could also achieve the natural processing of language.

In the 80s AI technology was re-energized, with the expansion of funding and algorithms. John Hopfield and David Rumelhart became the pioneers of “deep learning” techniques that enabled computers to learn through the experience of others. Edward Feigenbaum introduced expert systems that replicated the decision-making process of an expert human. It wasn’t until the year 2000 that many groundbreaking goals were realized and AI flourished in spite of a shortage of funds from government agencies and the public’s attention.

Understanding Artificial Intelligence

AI, also known as artificial intelligence, refers to the development of computers that are able to complete tasks that usually require human expertise like speech recognition, visual perception decision-making, as well as language translation. AI technologies are designed to learn and improve over time, adapting to new data and changing circumstances.

One of the key benefits of AI is its ability to process and analyze large volumes of data quickly and accurately. This allows businesses to make more informed decisions, identify patterns and trends, and gain insights into customer behavior and preferences. AI can also automate repetitive tasks and streamline processes, improving efficiency and productivity.

There are many kinds of AI such as machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics. Machine learning is the process of training algorithms in computers to learn from information and improve their performance over time. Natural language processing allows computers to comprehend human speech, while robotics is the creation of machines that perform physical tasks.

AI is increasingly being used in a wide range of industries, from healthcare and finance to manufacturing and retail. It is also being used to develop new products and services, such as virtual assistants, self-driving cars, and personalized marketing campaigns.

However, there are also concerns about the potential risks and ethical implications of AI, particularly in areas such as privacy, security, and job displacement. As AI and AI development companies continue to evolve and become more advanced, it will be important for businesses and policymakers to consider these issues and develop appropriate regulations and guidelines.

Research on AI- Today’s scenario

Ongoing and expanding, AI research has grown at a rate of 12.9 percent annually over the past five years, according to technology journalist Alice Bonasio. China is projected to surpass the United States as the leading source of AI technology and Artificial intelligence companies within the next four years, having already overtaken the top AI companies in the USA for second place in 2004 and quickly closing in on Europe’s top position. Europe is the foremost continent for artificial intelligence development, possessing a diverse range of expertise and fostering substantial international cooperation. India holds the third spot in terms of AI research output, lagging behind only China and the United States.

How is AI acting in the present?

The business world is witnessing an increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence. Its applications are diverse and promising, and it is difficult to envision a future without it. AI technologies are enhancing productivity, from managing workflows to predicting trends and purchasing advertising. AI has the ability to gather and organize vast amounts of data to draw inferences and estimates that surpass human capabilities.

It also enhances organizational efficiency and minimizes errors. AI can detect unusual patterns, such as spam and fraud, and alert organizations to suspicious behavior. The importance and sophistication of AI have reached such a level that a Japanese investment firm has proposed an AI Board Member due to its ability to predict market trends faster than humans. AI will be utilized in various aspects of life, such as self-driving cars, more accurate weather forecasting, and early health diagnoses.

AI and Future

It has been suggested that we are on the brink of the 4th Industrial Revolution, which will differentiate itself from its predecessors. The previous revolutions have progressed from steam and water power to electricity, manufacturing processes, and computerization. Now, the concept of humanity is being challenged. The Industrial Revolution will usher in smarter technology to our factories and workplaces, along with interconnected equipment that can communicate, observe the entire production process, and make autonomous decisions.

These advancements will lead to improved business operations. The 4th Industrial Revolution’s most significant benefit is the potential to enhance the quality of life and raise income levels for the global population. As robots, humans, and smart devices collaborate to improve supply chains and warehousing, our businesses and organizations are becoming more intelligent and efficient.

Role of AI in Different Industries

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way industries function and operate. The creation of intelligent machines is a field within computer science. These machines are designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. Examples of such tasks include decision-making, language processing, and visual perception.

AI has the potential to transform various industries by providing efficient solutions to complex problems, reducing costs, and improving productivity. In this article, we will explore the role of AI in different industries, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and retail.

1. Healthcare

AI is being used to develop personalized treatment plans, improve medical imaging analysis, and even assist in surgical procedures. It can also help with patient monitoring and early detection of diseases.

2. Finance

AI is one powerful tool that is being used to discover frauds, improve risk management, and automate various financial processes. It can also provide personalized financial advice and assist with investment decisions.

3. Retail

AI is also being used to improve customers’ expression of experience through personalized recommendations, chatbots, and virtual assistants. It can also assist with inventory management and supply chain optimization.

4. Manufacturing

Artificial intelligence is currently being utilized to optimize various production processes, improve the quality control of products, and reduce instances of downtime. Additionally, AI can assist with predictive maintenance and the management of supply chains.

5. Education

Artificial intelligence is utilized to customize learning experiences, offer feedback to students, and automate administrative duties. Additionally, it can aid in developing curricula and conducting educational research.

6. Transportation

AI is being used to improve safety through driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles. It can also assist with route optimization and logistics management.

7. Energy

AI is being used to optimize energy usage, improve predictive maintenance of equipment, and assist with renewable energy development. It can also assist with grid management and energy trading.

8. Marketing

AI is being used to improve targeted advertising, analyze customer behavior, and optimize marketing campaigns. It can also assist with content creation and social media management.

The Four Critical Turning Points That Led to the AI Renaissance

1- The dissemination of AI knowledge to the public began with the availability of top-tier exploration materials. This was initiated by Stanford University’s MOOCs featuring Andrew NG, as well as Udacity’s Introduction to ML by Sebastian Thurn and Katie Malone.

2-The accessibility of AI to the masses was made possible by Data and Computing Power, specifically cloud and GPU. This accessibility was achieved without requiring huge upfront investments or being a mega-corporation.

3-Prior to 2015, only AI specialists could effectively use data and computing power. However, that year saw the emergence of new tools and frameworks that made exploring and operationalizing production-level AI possible for a wider audience. These tools include Google’s TensorFlow and Facebook’s PyTorch. As a result, organizations like FastAI and OpenAI have been founded with the goal of democratizing AI.

4-Over the last two years, AI as a service has advanced to a greater degree, facilitating simpler prototyping, exploration, and the creation of sophisticated and intelligent use-case-specific AI’s in products. A range of platforms, such as Azure AI, AWS AI, Google Cloud AI, IBM Cloud AI, and many others, offer AI as a Service.

To Sum up

Throughout history, AI has made significant strides, from identifying cat videos to self-driving cars. More and more companies are adopting AI to solve problems and implement AI strategies. The original goals of AI are being achieved today, with further technological advancements paving the way for a future where humans and machines coexist. It is up to us whether we choose to simply observe this trend or take action by planning our own AI strategies to make an impact in a world driven by technology.

The impact of AI on the workplace has been significant in the early twenty-first century. Machine-learning techniques have led to previously unseen productivity gains. AI is revolutionizing business practices, including solutions for workflow management, trend forecasts, and advertising purchases. The potential of AI research is immense and difficult to imagine a world without it. By 2030, AI will be ubiquitous in everyday life, from self-driving vehicles to more accurate weather predictions and space travel.

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Scarlett Brown
Scarlett Brown

Written by Scarlett Brown

I have always believed that technology is the way to lead the future and you can surely understand the same delivered in my writeups.