Episode 1: What Is Artificial Intelligence? A Gentle Introduction to How AI Works Behind Your Smartphone and the Internet

AI Is Closer Than You Think – How Artificial Intelligence Is Part of Our Everyday Lives

When you hear the term “artificial intelligence,” what kind of image comes to mind? Some might picture robots that talk like humans or futuristic machines that make decisions on their own—scenes straight out of a science fiction movie.

But in reality, AI has entered our lives in a much quieter and more natural way. For example, voice assistants on smartphones that respond when you speak to them, or the “recommended for you” suggestions on online shopping sites. Without even realizing it, we are already interacting with AI every day.

What Exactly Is Artificial Intelligence? Understanding Its Meaning and Basic Mechanism

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be described simply as “a technology that tries to recreate human-like thinking and decision-making using computers or software.”

Here, “thinking” and “decision-making” refer to tasks like understanding language, recognizing what’s in a photo, or predicting future outcomes based on past information. These are typically intellectual tasks performed by humans, but AI aims to enable machines to do them as well.

This idea isn’t new—it dates back to the 1950s. Even then, researchers were asking questions like, “Can machines think like humans?” However, at that time, computers weren’t powerful enough and handling large amounts of information was difficult. So true implementation remained out of reach.

But things have changed dramatically in recent years. With significant improvements in computing power and the ability to collect and process vast amounts of data, we’re finally starting to see real answers to those early questions.

What Can AI Do? Benefits and Cautions Through Real-World Examples

One concrete example is an app that can tell the difference between a cat and a dog. It may sound simple at first glance, but for a computer to distinguish between them—it needs to learn details like ear shape, fur texture, facial features—one by one. The technology used for this kind of learning is called “machine learning” or “deep learning” (we’ll explore these more deeply in the next article).

Thanks to these technologies, computers are no longer limited to following fixed rules—they can now find patterns from experience and improve over time.

Of course, while this is convenient, there are also important points to be aware of. Since AI learns from the data it’s given, if that data is biased or unbalanced, it could lead to incorrect conclusions. Also, unlike humans who naturally understand context or common sense, AI still struggles with these areas. Another challenge is explainability—sometimes it’s hard to understand why an AI reached a certain conclusion. This becomes especially critical in fields like medicine or law where decisions can have serious consequences.

Even so, there’s a reason why so many companies and researchers are focusing on this technology today. It’s because AI holds potential for supporting areas beyond human reach—like quickly identifying patterns from massive datasets or helping address labor shortages—and even creating new value or services.

Looking at it this way, AI isn’t just a handy tool; it’s becoming something that could influence society as a whole.

How Should We Approach AI? Taking the First Step Toward the Future

So what is artificial intelligence? It’s not only an attempt to recreate “human-like” abilities through machines—it’s also a journey into understanding what it means to be human.

In upcoming articles, we’ll take a closer look at the technologies and mechanisms behind AI step by step. Some parts may seem challenging at first—but don’t worry. If we take our time together, you’ll start seeing the world from new perspectives before you know it. I hope you’ll join me on this journey without feeling pressured.