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Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science and engineering focused on creating systems that can perform tasks associated with human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science and engineering focused on creating systems that can perform tasks associated with human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making. The term also refers more broadly to machines and software that exhibit such capabilities. AI is used across many domains, including search, robotics, language processing, and data analysis.

Definition

Artificial intelligence refers to systems capable of performing tasks commonly associated with human intelligence, including learning, reasoning, and problem-solving. It is also used as the name for the research field that studies how to build such systems.

History and development

AI emerged as a formal research area in computer science and engineering and has developed through periods of rapid progress in methods, computing power, and data availability. The field has expanded from symbolic approaches to statistical and data-driven methods.

Major subfields

Important subfields include machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, and planning. These areas focus on helping machines learn from data, understand language, interpret images, act in the physical world, and choose actions toward goals.

Applications

AI is used in search engines, recommendation systems, automated translation, fraud detection, medical diagnostics, autonomous systems, and industrial automation. Its use has broadened across science, business, government, and consumer technology.

Key facts

  • Artificial intelligence is both a scientific field and a set of technologies for creating intelligent computational systems.
  • AI systems are designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
  • The field includes areas such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics.
  • AI is widely used in applications such as speech recognition, image analysis, translation, and decision support.
  • AI does not yet generally match full human flexibility across all domains.
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Canadian context

AI is highly relevant to Canadian readers because Canada is a major centre for AI research, education, and commercial adoption, with active work in cities such as Toronto, Montreal, and Edmonton.

Frequently asked questions

What is artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is the field of building computer systems that can perform tasks normally associated with human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving.
Is AI the same as machine learning?
No. Machine learning is a subfield of AI that focuses on systems learning from data, while AI is the broader field covering many approaches to intelligent behavior.
Where is AI used?
AI is used in language processing, image recognition, robotics, search, fraud detection, predictive analytics, and many other software and hardware systems.
Can AI think like a human?
AI can perform some tasks that resemble human intelligence, but it does not generally match the full flexibility and breadth of human intelligence across domains.
What disciplines contribute to AI?
AI draws on computer science, engineering, mathematics, logic, linguistics, neuroscience, and psychology.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence
    Supports: General definition of artificial intelligence and core tasks associated with it.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/technology/artificial-intelligence
    Supports: Definition of AI, limitations relative to human flexibility, and general scope.
  3. Association for Computing Machinery — https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/1074100.1074138
    Supports: AI as a field of computer science and engineering concerned with intelligent behavior.
  4. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy — https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/artificial-intelligence/
    Supports: Conceptual framing of AI as the study of intelligent agents and philosophical context.
  5. Google Cloud — https://cloud.google.com/learn/what-is-artificial-intelligence
    Supports: Common applications and broad description of AI technologies and methods.
  6. MIT Media Lab — https://www.media.mit.edu/tools/ai-glossary-dictionary/
    Supports: Concise definition of AI and examples of its importance across domains.