Artificial intelligence (AI), (in all its components) – under different paradigms or models and platforms such as LLM (ChatGPT), algorithms, models or machine learning machines (AutoML), Nobel Turing Challenge (NTC), Open Machine Learning (OpenML), DynaBench (dynamic data collection and benchmarking), software and high performance calculations… – is a complex computerization and virtualization process capable of reflection, reasoning, learning and decision-making at the same time. way of intelligence human, which itself is not equal from one person to another.
AI: extensive definition
Digitization or dematerialization in the broad sense is the collection and manipulation of information in real time. The algorithm, deriving from the name of Al Khawarizmi, the “ grandfather of computing », is the first to have systematized this method of calculation, which is an arithmetic process, of control and processing of data for the resolution of a problem or the obtaining of a result.
Algorithm and origin of AI
This algorithmic scientific method was already used, in its primary or initial form, in Mesopotamia, under the Babylonian State, 3800 years ago, for the calculation and collection of taxes and for commercial transactions, and probably even in Ancient Egypt, 4,500 years ago, for the same fiscal and commercial operations, since arithmetic and accounting were applied to tax collection; then a little later, 2300 years ago, Euclid’s algorithm calculating the greatest common divisor (PGCD) of two numbers. This same enriched, nourished algorithm, which still operates today in fields as varied and different as commerce, finance, agriculture, industry, medicine, medical imaging, optics, IT , biomedical research, climate change or pandemics.
History of research, continuity and position of AI
Relevant and operational scientific research does not date from the twenty-first century. The laws and theorems of the great mathematicians and physicists in history which can go back up to 2600 years and back to the twentieth century such as Thales, Pythagoras, Euclid, Archimedes, Jabir ibn Hayyan, Al Khawarizmi, Al Kindi, Isaac Newton , Albert Einstein and many others, are still relevant and of great scientific value for current research. The very foundation of scientific research – and the creation of AI is in no way outside of this philosophy, this goal of general interest – is to put itself at the service of humans, at the service of the community and not the ‘reverse.
Computer science, computer programming, and computational reasoning and learning do not mark a departure from the science and scientific research of yesteryear, they complement them. Indeed, it was almost 1200 years ago, well before the Internet, social network applications, smartphones, Netflix, Google Maps (or PageRank), and artificial intelligence, that the great mathematician Al Khawarizmi conceptualized this algorithmic set.
The AI algorithm
The artificial intelligence algorithm is a process of deep learning and adaptation to complex data and situations, and it is precisely the learning and adaptation data that characterize it, that prepare it, that format it . If, mathematically and numerically, to achieve a goal or solve a problem, the classic algorithm proceeds step by step, the AI algorithm generates how to learn.
However, this is in no way a difference in nature, it is simply a difference in degree. And from the work of the great scientist Al-Khawarizmi in 830 to the work of Alan Turing in 1950 or that of John McCarthy in 1955, on AI there is not a difference in nature either, but a difference in degree only. For more than 2000 years, scientific research has looked into the idea and way of making intelligent machines serve humans and their evolution. It has been more than 2000 years since different currents of thought, mythological, prophetic, philosophical, scientific, or artistic, have gradually made their contribution to this process of Artificial Intelligence.
Quite recently, in the 1970s, science fiction expressed the fear that machines would enslave humans. For example, Ira Levin published in 1970 “ Unbearable happiness » where humanity is ruled by a computer hidden under the mountains.
AI: a step in the accumulation of knowledge
Artificial intelligence is a process of digital reasoning and appropriation of data which starts from real data by transforming it, presents itself today as a high degree in learning, decision-making, knowledge, literature science and technology (tekhnologia in Greek, more than 2400 years ago). It thus has this in common with the human intelligence of yesterday and the day before yesterday. This is not a break in the cognitive history of humanity, and in the scientific research of the community of researchers, it is a milestone in the accumulation of knowledge, know-how and making known, since the dawn of time, since the Mesopotamian civilization, 10,000 years ago.
Nothing is created “ex nihilo nihil”
Everything is said, in reality, or almost, and we come too late (Jean de La Bruyère 1645-1696), to claim to invent, since “ nothing from nothing “, out of nothing, nothing happens,” nothing is born or perishes, said the Greek philosopher Anaxagoras of Clazomenes seven thousand years ago, but already existing things combine and separate again.“. Later, the philosopher and chemist Antoine Lavoisier (1743-1794), said almost the same thing in this apocryphal quote (attributed to him), on the conservation of matter: “nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed ».
AI versus HI: artificial intelligence//human intelligence
Scientific research does not emerge from nothing, it aggregates from already existing particles, combines, transforms, is enriched; and artificial intelligence, as a component “ robotisante » of scientific research likely to affect thoughts, attitudes and behaviors comparable to human intelligence, despite all its performances, is no exception to the rule. Also the combination of human intelligence and artificial intelligence is becoming more and more a necessity, given the international context favorable to science, with all the shortcomings that are intimately linked to it, and to all eventualities: transactions , competition, hegemony, wars, pandemics…Moreover, the united investment of all of these actors, individuals and institutions: companies, universities, donors, public authorities, researchers and experts…in these disciplinary fields of AI , are still lagging behind other fields of investigation.
Is AI a double-edged sword?
Artificial intelligence is indeed a double-edged sword: it can be used for beneficial purposes or for evil purposes, even harmful and destructive ones. In fact, it is “ one tool among others “, a technological tool “that must be understood”, and taken seriously into account, because the risks are managed, and the preponderance of digital activities over manual work inevitably generate flaws, threats, attacks that must be fight, with the same weapons: fight AI evil with AI good. However, when human abjection » outweighs greatness we would not be surprised to see AI used for purposes « abject ».
We will first note threats and attacks such as cybercrime, phishing or phishing problems, attacks and emails, artificial imitation, ethical and social risks and fraudulent or criminal manipulation of data, and “themade a lie » through social networks, at the moment of the presidential elections in the USA We will then highlight the disadvantages such as the high cost of the machine which is at the same time devoid of initiative, emotions, morality, and creativity , the absence of control, transparency and improvement with experience.
Regarding the advantages, we particularly note continuous programming and work without breaks, assistance, time saving and quality of life, high productivity with repetitive activities, processing of big data, access to information, reduction of errors and exploration difficult fields of investigation, there can be innovation and creativity but never reach “ what the human brain has ».
What is the contribution of AI to society?
As a conclusion, I will end with this question: what is the contribution of AI in the public, private or semi-public sector? In other words: what is the contribution of AI for administration, businesses or NGOs? The automation of tasks is a significant advantage, both for the administration and for the company or NGOs, the role of AI in helping decision-making, and consequently the experience and personalization of the experience, and experience also means reduction of costs and risks and increase in effectiveness and efficiency.
