The fundamental differences between automation and AI

The terms "artificial intelligence" and "automation" are often used interchangeably. They're short-hand for robots and other machines that allow us to operate more efficiently and effectively -- whether it's a mechanical construct piecing together a car or the signal that sets off the smoke alarm in an emergency. But there are some pretty big differences between automated systems and AI machines. It's like apples and oranges; DVD and VHS; 2001's HAL and that shonky computer Matthew Broderick uses to start World War III in WarGames. Just to make things confusing, though, it's entirely possible for automated machines to be AI-based (but we'll get to that shortly).