
What is Artificial Intelligence?
By Ellie Fennell | 5 min read
Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science focused on enabling machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. The article explains the difference between narrow AI, which handles specific tasks, and generalized AI, which would adapt across a broader range of problems. It outlines how AI systems learn from data through models and training, and how inference translates that learning into real-world actions. It highlights a spectrum of applications across industries—from healthcare to finance—and discusses ethical considerations like bias, privacy, and safety. The piece notes that governance and responsible deployment are essential as AI tools scale.