AI Deep Dive Part 1: The History of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a subset of computer science that focuses on creating systems that can replicate human intelligence and problem-solving capabilities. This is accomplished by feeding large amounts of data into machine learning models (MLMs) and processing the data. The result is technology that can simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, and autonomy.

While often seen as new, cutting-edge technology, AI has been around far longer than most would think. While the concept of AI goes back to ancient philosophers theorizing on life and death, AI as we know it began in the early 1900s. The conception of what AI is began to be portrayed in science fiction by various authors and artists throughout the early 1900s prior to what is commonly known as “the birth of AI.”
 

AI Through the Ages

• • The Birth of AI: 1950 – 1956

Computer scientists such as Alan Turing, Arthur Samuel, and John McCarthy set the stage for the beginning of AI. Turing published “Computer Machinery and Intelligence,” which annotated a test of machine intelligence called the Imitation Game. Turing theorized that any machine able to fool a human judge would be classified as artificial intelligence.

• • AI Maturation: 1957 – 1979

The next twenty years showed little growth for AI at a technical level. While the concept of AI became popular in pop culture, funding-backed research was minimal during this period. However, that is not to say that strides towards what AI is today were not made. The first programming languages were created, paving the way for future development. The first AI chatbot was created, which adopted a new approach to AI that we now call deep learning, and the first examples of an autonomous vehicle were created.

• • AI Boom: 1980 – 1987

During the seven-year period known as the AI boom, government funding and associated research significantly increased. The first Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) conference was held at Sanford, and the first driverless car demonstrated its ability to drive up to 55 mph on empty roads.

• • AI Winter: 1987 – 1993

Overall, funding and interest in AI decreased during this period, leading to fewer advancements in the technology than in years prior.

• • AI agents: 1993 – 2011

Despite the initial lack of investment in AI, the technology as a whole significantly increased its capabilities during this time period. Most notably, this is when AI began being integrated into people’s daily lives with items such as the Roomba and the release of Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri.

• • Early General Artificial Intelligence: 2012 – Present

This brings us up to the current state of AI. The last decade has shown impressive leaps in AI’s ability to aid humans in day-to-day functions. This is also accompanied by enormous data collection from well-known companies that are able to train their AI models, which has led to the release of consumer-facing AI models such as ChatGPT, Copilot, and more.

Despite the initial lack of investment in AI, the technology as a whole significantly increased its capabilities during this time period. Most notably, this is when AI began being integrated into people’s daily lives with items such as the Roomba and the release of Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri.
 

Conclusion

AI as a whole is a fast-changing, fluid concept. Organizations regularly unveil new capabilities and breakthroughs. This was especially evident in the recent unveiling of Deepseek and the subsequent data privacy concerns. In a single day, this overturned the sector in one fell swoop. AI will likely remain a constantly changing field in the near term.
 

What’s Next?

Part 2 of Arete’s AI Deep Dive will examine the risks and benefits of organizations adopting AI into their business models

Sources

Artificial Intelligence Episode 2 – The Imitation Game and Business

What is the history of artificial intelligence (AI)?

What is artificial intelligence (AI)?