What actually is AI, anyway? A child-friendly guide to artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a concept that sounds like something out of a science fiction story, but it's very real and all around us today! AI is like a wizard in the digital world, making computers and machines smart and capable of doing incredible things. Here are 3 free AI tools that you and your child can explore together in the upcoming holidays for your passion projects!

In this article, we'll explore the fantastic world of AI and how it holds plenty of potential to further change our lives for the better.

What is AI and how does it work?

Imagine AI as the magical brain of a computer or a robot. It helps these machines think and make decisions just like humans. AI can do many things, such as play games, recognise faces, and even talk to us. Think along the lines of Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, and many more.

AI works by using special instructions called algorithms. These are like recipes that tell the computer what to do. But what makes AI extra special is that it can learn and get better over time through interactions, analysing data, and more. It's like practising a musical instrument until you become a master!

Where can we find AI?

AI is everywhere! You might not realise it, but perhaps you use AI everyday. Do you have a smartphone? AI helps your phone understand your voice and even suggests what you might want to type next. In video games, AI creates characters or enemies you can play against, making the game more exciting. Here are some wonderful ways we can find AI in our lives.

Healthcare and medicine

AI is a superhero in the world of medicine. It can help doctors find illnesses such as cancer by looking at X-rays and scans. For instance, it can also help surgeons by minimising human errors, making sure they're extra precise during operations.

Transportation

Imagine cars that can drive themselves without the need for human inputs. These are called self-driving cars, autonomous cars, driverless cars, or robo-cars. Such cars can perform tasks such as perceive the environment, monitor important systems, and navigate, just like a wise and careful human driver. There are many car brands right now that manufacture self-driving cars, like Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

Entertainment

AI can make our entertainment even more exciting. In movies, it helps create special effects and even characters that look real but are actually made by computers. These are called computer-generated imagery - perhaps your favourite fictional character is one of them! Some popular examples are Thanos from Marvel, the Na’vi from the Avatar movies, and Dobby from Harry Potter.

For streaming services such as Netflix, do you recall it recommending shows that are similar to the one you just finished? Those are considered a form of AI as well! In terms of board games and digital games, AI can do things such as step up as your game partner or opponent, making sure you have a great time competing with one another.

The future of AI

The future of AI is as bright as a shooting star. We're just beginning to scratch the surface of what AI can do. In the future, AI might help us explore further into space, create amazing art that is out of this world through the forms of different media, and even solve some of the biggest challenges in the world.

In a nutshell

AI is like having a friendly digital companion that can help us in so many ways. It's not just for grown-ups; kids can also learn about and use AI to make the world a better place. As AI continues to grow and evolve, who knows what incredible adventures it will take us on? So, let your imagination soar, and remember that AI is here to make our lives more exciting and better in every way!