25-Feb-2025
It is used for everything from personalising social media feeds to powering medical breakthroughs.
But as big tech firms and governments vie to be at the forefront of AI's development critics have expressed caution over its potential misuse, ethical complexities and environmental impact.
AI allows computers to learn and solve problems in ways that can seem human. Computers cannot think, empathise or reason.
However, scientists have developed systems that can perform tasks which usually require human intelligence, trying to replicate how people acquire and use knowledge.
AI programmes can process large amounts of data, identify patterns and follow detailed instructions about what to do with that information.
This could be trying to anticipate what product an online shopper might buy, based on previous purchases, in order to recommend items.The technology is also behind voice-controlled virtual assistants like Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa, and is being used to develop systems for self-driving cars.
AI also helps social platforms like Facebook, TikTok and X decide what posts to show users. Streaming services Spotify and Deezer use AI to suggest music.
Scientists are also using AI as a way to help spot cancers, speed up diagnoses and identify new medicines.
Computer vision, a form of AI that enables computers to detect objects or people in images, is being used by radiographers to help them review X-ray results.