Artificial Intelligence Applications in Medicine: A Rapid Overview of Current Paradigms - European Medical Journal

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines artificial intelligence (AI) as "a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behavior in computers" or "the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior." The layman may think of AI as mere algorithms and programs; however, there is a distinct difference from the usual programs which are task-specific and written to perform repetitive tasks. Machine learning (ML) refers to a computing machine or system's ability to teach or improve itself using experience without explicit programming for each improvement, using methods of forward chaining of algorithms derived from backward chaining of algorithm deduction from data. Deep learning is a subsection within ML focussed on using artificial neural networks to address highly abstract problems;1 however, this is still a primitive form of AI. When fully developed, it will be capable of sentient and recursive or iterative self-improvement.