We can only begin to imagine the possibilities Artificial Intelligence holds, but one of the most well-known topics related to AI potential is that of autonomous driving. The concept of machines that mimic human cognition – Artificial Intelligence, or AI for short – dates back as early as ancient Greece, though the term wasn't coined and developed into a field until 1956. In recent years the technology has rapidly progressed and its uses have broadened significantly to include areas like agriculture, medicine, voice assistance, and even autonomous driving. Also Read: What are smart cities? The convergence of AI and autonomous vehicles is a big step for both the automobile industry and the AI industry.

Baidu also took the wraps off a "robocar," an autonomous vehicle with doors that open up like wings and a big screen inside for entertainment. It is a prototype and the company gave no word on whether it would be mass-produced. But the concept car highlights Baidu's ambitions in autonomous driving, which analysts predict could be a multibillion dollar business for the Chinese tech giant. Baidu has also been running so-called robotaxi services in some cities including Guangzhou and Beijing where users can hail an autonomous taxi via the company's Apollo Go app in a limited area. On Wednesday, Baidu rebranded that app to "Luobo Kuaipao" as it looks to roll out robotaxis on a mass scale.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing, though perhaps not as fast as the hype cycles would have us believe. But we are starting to see AI being applied to tasks typically done by humans, including more intelligent chatbots that can answer first- and even second-level customer service requests, smart software bots automating business process tasks and pilot projects involving autonomous vehicles. It is these vehicles that have captured the popular imagination. Proponents envision a world in which deaths caused by speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, drunk driving and other human errors can be dramatically reduced. This is a world of ride-sharing, a world where elderly and disabled populations gain mobility, a world where many people, particularly in urban centers, won't even buy cars anymore.