What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a relatively simple concept with extraordinary implications. The term was coined by American computer scientist John McCarthy in 1956, who is widely recognised as the father of artificial intelligence. It's used to describe a form of intelligence exhibited by machines, in comparison to the "natural" intelligence demonstrated by human beings and other animals. Since its advent in the 1950s, artificial intelligence has evolved into a sophisticated and highly complex field used across a wide range of sectors. From medical research and genetic sequencing to self-driving vehicles and virtual assistants, AI has infiltrated our daily lives and is now considered the norm.