The Encyclopedia Britannica states, “artificial intelligence (AI), the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings.” Intelligent beings are those that can adapt to changing circumstances.

With regard to definitions, well that is unfortunately not quite so straightforward. Terms such as ‘neural network’, ‘deep learning’ and ‘general AI’ are used frequently in the media, and often interchangeably. The OED defines ‘artificial intelligence’ as ‘…the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.’

The word ‘intelligence’ derives from the Latin terms intelligentia and intellēctus, which originally roughly translated as the ability to perceive, comprehend or understand something. More recently intelligence has served in many ways as a catch-all term to include the ability to demonstrate logical coherence, show reason, behave autonomously and to be adaptable to situations. The term has also widened through the work of Howard Gardner and others to include emotional intelligence, spatial awareness, kinesthetic intelligence, and many more aspects besides.