The history of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most fascinating and revolutionary topics of our time. But what are its origins? Who is its inventor? What were its first applications? And what was the first true artificial intelligence? In this article, we will explore the history of AI, retracing its main milestones.
When Was Artificial Intelligence Born?
The idea of artificial intelligence dates back centuries when philosophers and mathematicians began contemplating the concept of “thinking machines.” However, AI as we know it today officially emerged in the 1950s.
It was during the famous Dartmouth Conference in 1956 that the term “artificial intelligence” was coined by John McCarthy, an American computer scientist. At that event, a group of researchers explored the possibility of creating machines capable of simulating human thought.
Thus, the birth of AI can be traced to a historical period marked by significant advances in mathematics, logic, and cybernetics. However, it would take time to see tangible results.
Who Invented Artificial Intelligence?
There is no single “inventor” of artificial intelligence, as its development was the result of collective efforts by several scientists and researchers. Among the most notable names is Alan Turing, the British mathematician who, as early as the 1940s, laid the theoretical foundations of AI.
Turing developed the concept of the “universal machine,” now known as the “Turing machine,” a theoretical model capable of performing any computable calculation. He also introduced the famous “Turing Test,” a method to determine whether a machine can be considered intelligent.
Another key figure is John McCarthy, who, as mentioned, coined the term “artificial intelligence.” McCarthy also developed the programming language LISP, still used today in AI development.
We must also acknowledge Marvin Minsky, one of the founders of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, and Herbert Simon, who contributed to the creation of programs capable of solving mathematical problems.
The First Applications of Artificial Intelligence
In the 1950s and 1960s, artificial intelligence took its first steps with relatively simple applications, but revolutionary for the time.
One of the earliest AI programs was Logic Theorist, developed in 1956 by Allen Newell and Herbert Simon. This program was capable of proving logical theorems, solving mathematical problems that had previously been the exclusive domain of humans.
In the following years, other pioneering projects stood out:
- ELIZA (1966): one of the first chatbots, developed by Joseph Weizenbaum. ELIZA simulated a conversation with a psychotherapist, using simple linguistic rules to interact with users.
- SHRDLU (1968): a system capable of understanding natural language commands to manipulate virtual objects in a simplified world.
These early experiments demonstrated that AI could perform specific tasks, paving the way for more complex applications in the future.
What Was the First Artificial Intelligence?
The first true artificial intelligence is considered to be the aforementioned Logic Theorist, created in 1956. This program was designed to prove propositional logic theorems, demonstrating a level of “reasoning” that mimicked human thought.
Another significant candidate is Deep Blue, a computer developed by IBM that, in 1997, defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov. Although it was not the “first” AI, Deep Blue marked a turning point, showcasing the potential of machines to compete with humans in complex activities.
Another example of a precursor to modern AI is Perceptron, a neural network model developed by Frank Rosenblatt in 1958. This system represented a significant step forward in the development of machine learning techniques, which today underpin many AI applications.
Artificial intelligence has traveled a long and fascinating road, from its theoretical origins to the tangible developments that revolutionize our daily lives today. Officially born in the 1950s, thanks to pioneers like Alan Turing and John McCarthy, AI has made enormous strides, evolving from simple mathematical programs to advanced systems that drive cars, diagnose diseases, and interact with us daily.
The future of AI promises further surprises, but to understand where we are going, it is essential to know the journey that has brought us this far.
