The PR of AI: How Machine Learning Is Nothing to Be Feared

Much of our current understanding about Artificial Intelligence is informed by what we see in popular culture. Due to ignorance and popular cultural portrayals of A.I. and machine learning, many people fear machines that are capable of computing complex tasks. There exists the belief that artificial intelligence could operate in a way that is counter to humanity's best interests, conjuring images of The Terminator and other similar films. As we explore the boundaries of the technology with consumer-facing technology like self-driving cars, and machine-learning algorithms such as recommendation engines, the general public is learning more and more about how these things work. But will we get to a point where people accept AI? A.I. refers to software that models its programming on human behaviour, mimicking rational and logical decision making processes.