Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is widely used in our everyday lives. It encompasses a large area from car washes to google and everything in between. It helps provide real solutions to lots of different problems humans face. AI uses tools and insights from many fields. I would like to focus on three of those areas: space, medical, and military.

A brief history of the progression of this field in needed to understand where it is now. After World War II, a number of people began working on intelligent machines. The first electronic computers were developed which stimulated technical capabilities in human intelligence. By the 1950's, most people interested in the field had narrowed their studies down to computer programming. John McCarthy founded the field of artificial intelligence at a Dartmouth College conference in 1956. Within a few years, the department of defense had funded laboratories around the world for further research. However, their expectations were too high. A machine capable of "any work a man can do", expressed by Herbert Simon, proved to be more difficult than any anticipated. By the mid 1970's, in response to the disappointment and unproductiveness, the U.S. government and others cut the funding. This became what is known as the first AI winter. The invention of expert systems and knowledge revelations created another boom that lasted for most of the 80's. Meanwhile, the computer hardware industry boomed with advances in processor speed, electronic memory, and computational power to name a few. During the 21st century, with a focus on intelligent agents, a more successful period in AI began. Artificial intelligence began to enter the technology industry and marketplace. The stigma attached to AI lead to new terms such as informatics, machine learning, knowledge-based systems, etc. Ultimately, seeing the real life uses of the technology artificial intelligence began to offer, ensured its future will be remain vital.

Artificial intelligence in the space exploration field is key to its continued success. NASA uses planning software to make its missions possible. In the 1960's, the AGC (Apollo Guidance Computer) was one of the first to be based on integrated circuits. Deep Space 1 had the first AI system, Remote Agent, that controlled the spacecraft without supervision from humans. MAPGEN, (Mixed-Initiative Activity Plan Generator), has been used by the mars rover teams. This software helps schedule, plan, build, and edit science activities based on an observation list and available resources. It also allows humans and computers to act as partners in the planning process. The Automated Manifest Planner, (AMP), was another program used to assist in scheduling. With the creation of IFAP (Intelligent Flight Activities Planner), customization of scheduling by astronauts became possible. SCOTTY is another system NASA uses. This knowledge-based system collects information for analysis from the spaceship's main engine. More recently, NASA has approved more funding to technology that could improve autonomous robotic operations in deep space missions. Lag time for communications between earth and probes, make it essential for them to have the decision-making ability. Intelligent machines may replace human in mundane tasks. In that role, Artificial Intelligence will be one of the most important tools in space exploration.

The use of artificial intelligences' newest developments in the medical field is the only way for doctors to keep up with the rapid growth of medical knowledge and our high expectations for quality healthcare. One of the earliest expert systems was MYCIN. It was designed to identify bacteria in blood infections and recommend antibiotics and dosages. Ethical and legal objections prevented production. Nevertheless, it set expectations for methods and knowledge. The use of robotics in the medical field makes procedures much more smooth and comfortable. Robots performing surgery offer benefits such as smaller incisions, lessened trauma, fewer infections, decreased healing time, and faster