The problem here is that "naturally" intelligent organisms like humans are capable of taking into consideration learning and data from tasks other than the one we are currently working on. This ability to draw on resources other than those which are immediately apparent, in order to tackle a problem, is known by clichés such as "out-of-the-box" or "blue-sky" thinking and is an element of human problem-solving and ingenuity that today's focused, single-minded and often obsessive AIs are unlikely to emulate in the near future.

This week a report by PwC found that artificial intelligence could add as much as $15.7 trillion – around same as the combined output of China and India – to the global economy by 2030. Everyone is in agreement that it is a technology which can change the world, and from space exploration to countering terrorism and even creating art, its potential is becoming increasingly apparent. It still faces significant hurdles though – challenges that will have to be overcome before that potential can be achieved. Many see meeting those challenges as a task of utmost priority for the tech industry right now. Let's start with an easy one, and one which is likely to be solved over time, although until it is, it shouldn't be taken for granted that it will be.

This week a report by PwC found that artificial intelligence could add as much as $15.7 trillion – around same as the combined output of China and India – to the global economy by 2030. Everyone is in agreement that it is a technology which can change the world, and from space exploration to countering terrorism and even creating art, its potential is becoming increasingly apparent. It still faces significant hurdles though - challenges that will have to be overcome before that potential can be achieved. Many see meeting those challenges as a task of utmost priority for the tech industry right now. Let's start with an easy one, and one which is likely to be solved over time, although until it is, it shouldn't be taken for granted that it will be.