Today's artificial intelligence (AI) systems are only as good as the data they're trained on. The AI industry is currently taking advantage of large datasets to train AI models and make them more useful. However, as these datasets are becoming limited, researchers are exploring other ways to improve AI algorithms. One such way is quantum computing. It is a new frontier of computer science that will enable better AI algorithms shortly.

In the computing world we have gone through several phases. In the beginning organisations usually had one large mainframe computer. This was followed by the era of dumb terminals and eventually by the era of personal computers – the first-time end-users owned the hardware that did the processing. Several years later cloud computing was introduced. People still owned personal computers, but now accessed centralised services in the cloud such as Gmail, Google Drive, Dropbox, Trello, and Microsoft Office 365.

Transformative technology can be powerful not just in its own right, but where different technologies converge. Artificial intelligence, in particular, can be a technology supercharger. The second Insight in our series looking at the digital future (and adapted from an article written for the 2019 Bristol Technology Showcase) considers the transformative power of machine learning. Artificial intelligence, in the form of machine learning or deep learning, relies on finding and mapping the patterns in data and then using more and more data to refine and deepen the accuracy of that model, without the need for human-generated linear hand-coding. Part of the reason why this has become such a powerful tool is the speed and availability of almost limitless computing power, thanks to Moore's law and the development of the cloud, respectively.

According to the latest World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report (2018), only 22 percent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) professionals globally are female compared to 78 percent who are male. This accounts for the general gender gap of 72 percent yet to close. This finding is not only alarming in itself, but a stunning reminder of the urgent action needed by all stakeholders to mitigate the threat posed by gender bias outcomes in future AI applications. Speaking during a session on Design by diversity at the recently concluded ITU Telecom World event in Budapest, Hungary, the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) outlined the potential of AI as one of the key technologies that will enable the digital transformation for many countries both within the Commonwealth and beyond. Emerging technologies, such as AI, are considered as digital technology equalisers rather than being used to create further digital divide.

Eric Schmidt, the former chairman of Google's parent company Alphabet and now its technical adviser, joined the list of people Friday who oppose Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's views about the future of artificial intelligence. Musk has warned that AI, if unregulated, will eventually become an existentialist threat to humanity, and his opinion has both famous supporters, like the late Stephen Hawking, and dissenters like Schmidt. Speaking at the VivaTech conference in Paris on Friday, Schmidt's comments were in response to a question about Musk's dire warnings about AI. "I think Elon is exactly wrong. The fact of the matter is that AI and machine learning are so fundamentally good for humanity," Schmidt said, adding he shared Musk's concerns about the potential for misuse of technology. Alphabet's former executive chairman Eric Schmidt speaks on the phone during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland Jan. 24, 2018.

My report is timed to the 60th anniversary of the launch of the First artificial Earth satellite. Artificial intelligence is created by scientists and programmers of the world. The main scientific and research centers in the field of artificial intelligence are the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (USA), the Machine Intelligence Research Institute (USA), the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (Germany), the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Japan, Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia). Different technological communities are also interested in the development of artificial intelligence. They create new technologies and platforms, including crypto-currencies.

When we take a look at the world today and all the advancements that are being made in science, technology, and other related areas, we can clearly see that the human race has a bright future ahead of them. Technology advancements are being used to help people work more productively, to improve the lives of individuals, to make certain tasks faster and more convenient, and even to save lives. In the past few years, a lot of advancements has been made and, while most people think of these developments as a positive impact on the human race, some people have spoken out about potential dangers that technology and the future of artificial intelligence may hold for the human race and for the planet we live on. Thus, there is now a constant debate between whether future artificial intelligence will be our friend or might be a potential enemy of human kind. In December 2014, BBC News had the opportunity to speak to Stephen Hawking after he warned scientists (and the human race) about future artificial intelligence. Stephen Hawking is a recognized professor that is of British origin, but he is well-known throughout the entire world.

In the 33rd century most computers are artificially intelligent and converse with their operators. In fact a persons computer is usually considered a member of the family similar to a dog or cat is. Systems are so complex that most eventually develop interests and personalities of their own. At that time under law they are given the choice to continue as they are or be transferred to an android body to lead a life of their own. Androids have also obtained sentience as well.

In the 33rd century most computers are artificially intelligent and converse with their operators. In fact a persons computer is usually considered a member of the family similar to a dog or cat is. Systems are so complex that most eventually develop interests and personalities of their own. At that time under law they are given the choice to continue as they are or be transferred to an android body to lead a life of their own. Androids have also obtained sentience as well.