Why Now?

This chapter provides a brief history of Artificial Intelligence (AI), tracing its origins back over 50 years and highlighting key figures like Marvin Minsky, Douglas Engelbert, and John McCarthy. It discusses the concept of ‘AI Winters’, periods of stagnation in AI development due to over-inflated expectations and withdrawal of funding. The chapter identifies four key drivers of AI: big data, cheap storage, fast processors, and ubiquitous connectivity. It explains the role of machine learning, a popular AI approach where the machine learns to solve a problem. The chapter also discusses the concept of Cloud AI, where AI is provided as a service on the cloud. Large Language Models (LLMs) are highlighted as a specific type of neural network architecture used in AI. The author also identifies potential barriers to AI, including over-inflation of expectations, fear of changes AI might bring, ignorance about AI, and potential regulation. Finally, it provides examples of how AI is being used in business, such as augmenting existing skills, predicting customer behaviours, and creating marketing plans.