Artificial Intelligence beyond the sound and fury

Intelligence is man's most potent weapon. If not for it, we would have remained just another species. The unique kind of intelligence we possess gives us dominion over everything else. Granted, when Mother Nature shrugs or sighs with an earthquake or a hurricane, man's vulnerability is starkly exposed, but humans negotiate the reality of existence better than other species by learning from experience, solving complex problems, and uncovering patterns that lie deep in nature's womb. From the discovery of fire to the invention of the microprocessor, the spark of human ingenuity has always served to make life safe, productive and convenient.