AI for Everyone: A Clear and Simple Definition

Author(s): Sophia Banton

Originally published on Towards AI.

Have you ever wondered how your phone predicts what you’ll type next or how Netflix knows which movies you’ll enjoy? This everyday magic is powered by artificial intelligence, inspired by the incredible networks in the human brain.

Intelligence is the ability to learn from experiences, understand information, and use that knowledge to solve problems and achieve goals. Brain activity and function are the source of intelligence. This activity arises from the complex interactions of billions of cells in the brain called neurons. These neurons communicate by sending electrical signals to and from each other, enabling tasks like speaking, writing, and problem-solving. Picture neurons as a web of highways, where electrical signals are like cars carrying messages across the network.

Human intelligence, a product of the brain’s web of neurons, is the foundation and inspiration for artificial intelligence. No wonder AI captures our imaginations.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that can learn and solve problems, similar to the way humans do, by imitating how the human brain works.

Types of AI

There are three types of AI:

• Narrow AI: Focused on one specific task at a time, like recognizing faces in photos or playing chess. This is called Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI).
• General AI: Hypothetical AI that would be able to think and learn like a human across many different tasks — but this doesn’t exist yet. This is called Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
• Super AI: A futuristic idea where AI surpasses human intelligence, also called Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI).

While these categories are helpful, the boundaries between them can be fluid. For example, an AI that can translate languages and also write different kinds of creative content might seem to have characteristics of both Narrow and General AI. Nonetheless, the AI we interact with today is primarily Narrow AI.

What is an AI System?

AI systems are the computer programs and algorithms that bring artificial intelligence to life.

Think of an AI system like a recipe: it takes in ingredients (the information it needs), follows steps to process that information, and creates something new. For example, when you ask a smart speaker for tomorrow’s weather, it takes in your question, processes it, and gives you the forecast.

These systems can be simple, like the ones that filter spam from your email, or complex, like the ones that help cars drive themselves. As AI systems learn and adapt, they’re becoming useful in many parts of our lives.

Real-World Applications

AI systems are in use across various industries.

Everyday Life

• Home: Smart assistants like Alexa or Siri help with daily tasks, from setting reminders to controlling home devices.
• Entertainment: Suggesting movies on streaming platforms, creating realistic video game characters, and generating music. AI learns from what you enjoy to recommend new content.
• Retail: Recommending products online, personalizing shopping experiences, and protecting against fraud. AI analyzes shopping patterns to help both businesses and customers.

Improving Our World

• Healthcare: Diagnosing diseases, analyzing medical images, and accelerating drug discovery. AI helps create personalized treatments based on each person’s unique health history.
• Transportation: Self-driving cars and optimizing traffic flow. AI systems help reduce accidents and congestion by analyzing traffic patterns.
• Climate Change: AI analyzes climate data to help scientists predict weather patterns and develop solutions for environmental challenges.
• Agriculture: AI is used in hydroponics to optimize plant growth, monitor nutrient levels, and reduce water usage, making farming more efficient and sustainable.

Widespread adoption of AI tools and systems requires that we pay attention to the risks and harms associated with using them.

What are the risks of using an AI System?

While AI systems can be helpful, it’s important to be aware of potential problems:

Misinformation

AI systems can sometimes give you incorrect or misleading information.

What can happen:

• An AI might make up medical information that isn’t true.
• AI-generated images could look real but depict events that never happened.
• An AI could confidently provide wrong historical dates or facts.

What you can do:

Always double-check important information from reliable sources.

Privacy Concerns

Some AI systems collect and use your personal data.

What can happen:

• Voice assistants could record private conversations.
• AI models might use photos shared in private chats for training.
• Healthcare AI systems could handle sensitive patient data without proper security measures.

What you can do:

Be mindful of what information you share and check privacy settings when available.

Security Risks

AI systems can be tricked or hacked.

What can happen:

• AI chatbots could be tricked into revealing sensitive company information.
• AI could be used for voice scams targeting grandparents.
• Hackers could manipulate AI systems to do things they shouldn’t, like giving away private information or causing malfunctions.

What you can do:

Use strong passwords and be careful about sharing personal information.

Bias

AI systems can exhibit bias, or prejudice, leading to unfair or discriminatory outcomes. This is because AI learns from existing information and can reflect existing biases in society, if the learning material contains errors or biases.

What can happen:

• AI resume screeners could favor certain demographics.
• Facial recognition might work less accurately for people with certain skin tones.
• AI could perpetuate gender stereotypes in generated text.

What you can do:

It’s important to be critical of AI-generated content, especially when making important decisions.

Dependence

Relying too much on AI systems can weaken your ability to think critically or solve problems on your own.

What can happen:

• Students might rely on AI for homework instead of developing critical thinking skills.
• Businesses could lose internal expertise by over-automating processes.
• People might trust AI navigation so completely that they lose basic wayfinding skills.

What you can do:

Remember to use your own judgment alongside AI assistance.

By using AI systems carefully, you can have a safer and more positive experience. Like all technology, AI has pros and cons. We must use AI systems responsibly to protect ourselves and our communities.

The Role of AI in Our Lives

More than any technology before it, AI has the power to transform our lives. From healthcare to home gardening — like using AI in hydroponics to optimize plant growth — artificial intelligence is reshaping our world in profound and practical ways.

We must remember that AI is a complement, not a replacement for human intelligence. How we use and interact with AI will determine its impact on society and our future. But remember that a tool without a purpose creates noise, not progress. Be purposeful and intentional when using AI, and you can unlock its incredible potential to improve your life and the world around you.

About the Author

Sophia Banton is an Associate Director and AI Solution Lead in biopharma, specializing in Responsible AI governance, workplace AI adoption, and strategic integration across IT and business functions.

With a background in bioinformatics, public health, and data science, she brings an interdisciplinary lens to AI implementation — balancing technical execution, ethical design, and business alignment in highly regulated environments. Her writing explores the real-world impact of AI beyond theory, helping organizations adopt AI responsibly and sustainably. When she’s not working on or writing about AI, you can find her tending to her hydroponic gardens — because she believes nature and technology can (and must) coexist. Connect with her on LinkedIn or explore more AI insights on Medium.

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Published via Towards AI