The History of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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Thibault Besson-Magdelain
Founder Lacreme.ai
Reading time:
6
minutes.
Updated on
17/8/2025
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THEartificial intelligence (IA) has come a long way from humble beginnings to becoming a dominant force in our modern society. This article delves into the defining moments of this fascinating story, revealing how AI has evolved and revolutionized various fields. You will discover the key milestones that have shaped AI and how it continues to impact our daily lives. A captivating story for anyone who loves technology and history!

1. What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence, a term invented in the 1950s, encompasses algorithms and technologies that allow machines to mimic human thought processes. From machine learning to speech recognition, AI is transforming the way we live and work.

2. The Origins of AI: Where It All Started

In the 1940s, pioneers like Warren McCulloch and Walter Pitts established the theoretical foundations of AI, laying the groundwork for what would become a technological revolution.

3. Alan Turing and the Turing Test: Defining Machine Intelligence

Alan Turing, a British mathematician, proposed the famous Turing test in the 1950s, a method for evaluating the intelligence of a machine. This concept has strongly influenced the development of AI.

4. Expert systems: When AI meets computing power

Expert systems, developed in the 1960s and 1970s, showed how AI could use computing power to solve complex problems, marking a major advance in the field.

5. The Rise of Deep Learning: How AI Surpassed Human Intelligence

Deep learning, a branch of machine learning, allowed significant progress in the 1990s and 2000s. Thanks to artificial neural networks, AI has begun to perform tasks that were once considered exclusively human.

6. The Chess Challenge: Deep Blue vs Kasparov

In 1997, IBM's Deep Blue defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov, a historic moment that demonstrated the ability of AI to surpass human intelligence in complex games.

7. The Neural Network Revolution

Neural networks, inspired by the structure of the human brain, have revolutionized the way machines learn, allowing AI to process data in more efficient and innovative ways.

8. General Artificial Intelligence vs Forte: What's the Difference?

General AI and strong AI represent two different approaches in the field. While general AI aims to replicate human intelligence as a whole, strong AI focuses on specific tasks with greater efficiency than humans.

9. Machine Learning: AI Learns from Data

Machine learning, a key component of modern AI, allows machines to learn and adapt from data, without being explicitly programmed for each task.

10. The Impact of AI on Modern Society

AI is having a profound impact on our society, transforming everything from industry to entertainment. Its potential continues to grow, promising innovations that are still unimaginable.

Key Points to Remember

  • Definition and Origins of AI: A revolutionary technology based on the imitation of human thought.
  • Major Innovations: From the Turing test to neural networks, AI has seen many key developments.
  • Historical challenges: Moments like Deep Blue's victory against Kasparov have made AI history.
  • General AI vs Strong AI: Two different approaches in the pursuit of artificial intelligence.
  • Societal impact: AI continues to transform our world in profound and sustainable ways.

Frequently asked questions

What gave birth to AI?

The emergence and evolution of artificial intelligence were based on an ambition: to provide machines with intelligence comparable to that of humans in order to support their progress. Over the years, this discipline has been shaped by the contributions of diverse experts such as scientists, engineers, artists, philosophers, and visionaries, each bringing their unique perspective.

Who are the precursors of AI?

The first steps of AI are often associated with John McCarthy of MIT, who is considered to be the father of the term “artificial intelligence.” Another key player, Marvin Minsky of Carnegie-Mellon University, played a crucial role in defining AI as the development of computer programs to perform tasks that traditionally require human intelligence.

How has AI evolved recently?

Artificial intelligence has grown rapidly and impressively, especially notable in 2021 with a growth rate of 15.2%. This expansion has been propelled by advances in the fields of deep learning and machine learning, revolutionizing the structure of work and the dynamics between man and machine in the IT sector.

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