Demystifying artificial intelligence and its repercussions

Amazon recently announced that it would open a convenience store in Seattle called Amazon Go. This foray into the brick-and-mortar business by the American online retail giant is not the only remarkable thing about Amazon Go. What is more striking is that Amazon will be replacing cashiers with an artificial intelligence (AI) system that knows what items you have taken from the shelves and charges you accordingly. AI -- by definition -- refers to machines or computer systems that mimic human cognition and intelligence. Experts believe that AI will someday be capable of self-directed learning and automated decision-making.