What is artificial intelligence (AI)? Definition, application, and careers

Artificial intelligence is a technology that enables computer systems to perform tasks that typically require human capabilities. AI can analyze data, recognize speech, translate languages, and make decisions. At its core, AI is about teaching computers to learn from experience and improve over time — similar to how our brains work, but with far greater speed and scale. But artificial intelligence is also a field of computer science focused on understanding and building intelligent systems. This dual role — both as a technology and a scientific discipline — is important to grasp before going into the specifics of how AI works.