13.1. Introduction
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Define Artificial Intelligence;
- Discuss the history of artificial intelligence;
- Compare machines, humans and AI;
- Distinguish between the types of AI and learning methods;
- Differenitate between the types of extended reality;
- List some of the emerging technology trends and their impact on business;
Information systems have evolved at a rapid pace ever since their introduction in the 1950s. Today devices that you can hold in one hand are more powerful than the computers used to land a man on the moon in 1969. The last 10 years has seen the proliferation of intelligent devices, devices that can process information and make suggestions or provide responses. How does Netflix seem to know what types of programs or movies we like? How does Amazon post product displays to our account that sparks our interest? How does YouTube seem to provide video feeds that align with what we have previously watched and protect younger viewers from harmful content? This is achieved through artificial intelligence using algorithms and machine learning.
Artificial intelligence, the ability of a computer or machine to think and learn, and mimic human behaviour is changing the way companies do business. AI uses software algorithms to simulate human intelligence processes such as reasoning and speaking within computers and other IoT devices. AI simulates human intelligence processes through robotics, intelligent agents, expert systems, algorithms, and natural-language processing.
This chapter will provide an introduction to artificial intelligence and provide some examples of how businesses are leveraging this technology. It will also explore other types of emerging technology. Emerging technology includes new technology and technology that is continuously evolving.
“Chapter 13: Trends in Information Systems” from Information Systems for Business and Beyond (2019) by David Bourgeois is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
