artificial intelligence

Noun

artificial intelligence (countable and uncountable, plural artificial intelligences)

1. The branch of computer science dealing with the reproduction or mimicking of human-level intelligence, self-awareness, knowledge, conscience, and thought in computer programs.
   • Research in the modern science of Artificial Intelligence started only in the 1950's, stimulated by the invention of modern computers. This inspired a flood of new ideas about how machines could do what only minds had done previously.1988, Marvin Minsky, The Society of Mind
2. The essential quality of a machine which thinks in a manner similar to or on the same general level as a real human being.
   • This computer possesses artificial intelligence.
   • A United Nations agency says the United States, China and Japan are leading the world in developing artificial intelligence, or AI, technology.2019 February 3, “UN Study: China, US, Japan Lead World AI Development”, in Voice of America, archived from the original on 07 Feb 2019
3. A character or entity controlled by the game instead of a player; AI.
   • The original Sniper: Ghost Warrior was a surprise hit when it was released in 2010. A surprise because it seemed an unequivocally awful game, with half broken graphics and artificial intelligence, a tediously linear story campaign, and an undernourished multiplayer mode.2013 March 19, “Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 review – scope for improvement”, in The Metro (UK)
4. A computer system or software package which is artificially intelligent.
   • Leo also said journalists must use artificial intelligence with “responsibility and discernment”.2025 May 12, Angela Giuffrida, “Zelenskyy invites Pope Leo to Ukraine as pontiff urges journalists to report truth”, in The Guardian, →ISSN
5. (countable) An intelligent, self-aware computer or computer program.
   • While the humans scurried in confusion, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) created by MIT/Bell Labs linked itself into the network of high-speed, twentieth generation computers placed at its disposal by a Red Alert Priority, evaluated data thoughtfully for a minute and a half and then proceeded to...1973, Gardner Dozois, Chains of the Sea, →ISBN, Chains of the Sea, page 83
   • What Daedadus really is, is the world's first successful wholly autonomous AI. Whatever mysterious organization managed to create the first true artificial intelligence succeeded so well that their creation managed to convince them that they'd failed... and then escaped.2000, Sheldon Pacotti (writer) & Warren Spector (director/producer), Deus Ex
6. (proscribed, specifically) Synonym of generative artificial intelligence.
   • He’s arguing that “image enhancement” is not the same thing as AI, because it’s a lot like the technology that most of your smartphones use when you’re taking a video.2025 August 28, Dave Jorgenson, Did Will Smith really generate a crowd with AI?

   Synonyms:

   generative artificial intelligence