I-Series Computing Concepts

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the science of making machines imitate human thinking and behavior.

There is not yet any AI system that can truly replace human thinking, reasoning, and creativity. However, each AI system mimics some specific aspect of human activity and/or thinking.

Artificial intelligence in the form of robots is used in industry and search and rescue operations to take over physical tasks. Artificial intelligence systems in the form of expert systems, genetic algorithms, neural networks, fuzzy logic, and intelligent agents are used to help humans find solutions to "thinking" problems. Thinking problems include such situations as decisions about giving loans to bank customers, sifting through job applications to find the right person, investigating drug interactions, and so on.

Guided by software, "marsupial" robots crawled through the World Trade Center rubble searching for victims. These baby robots along with the mother robot were developed by the University of South Florida. The mother robot carried the smaller robots in a pouch-like container to where they were needed and then released them to search in spaces that were too small for the larger robot. The small robots were tethered to the mother robot so that they wouldn't get lost. (For more informtion on these robot families, see Higgins, Amy."Robot "Babies" Crawl through WTC Debris," Machine Design, December 13, 2001, p. 28.)

If you apply for an hourly job to large companies like Bennigan's, Target, Blockbuster, or Universal Studios, your application will probably be "read" first by AI software.

T or F "I can argue hard but still keep it friendly"

T or F "I hate to give up on solving a hard problem"

T or F "I sometimes get a kick out of arguing"

T or F "I like a job that's quiet and predictable"

The system's questions are based on the philosophy that there is no such thing as a good or bad employee -- just a good or bad fit. The questions and the analysis are designed to find the people who would be good at a particular job.

When this system was installed at Macy's, one of the company's vice presidents took the test and was told that there were no positions available for him. He was outraged and wanted the system removed until it was pointed out to him that with his experience, salary, and position in life, he would be bored and frustrated in the job he was applying for. (Overholt, Alison. "True or False: You're Hiring the Right People," Fast Company, February 2002, pp. 110-114)