Not too long ago, artificial intelligence (AI) seemed like a surreal possibility and a technology used only in movies. Today, when discussing tools such as ChatGPT, we see that machine intelligence has far exceeded all our expectations and proven its power. However, this did not happen overnight — it is the result of decades of research, inventions, and experiments.

How Has AI Evolved Over the Years?

One key aspect of machine intelligent is that these systems, especially AI-powered robots, can automate tasks. The idea of automation itself is not new, as inventors in ancient times attempted to create various objects known as “automata.”

One of the earliest recorded automata dates back to 400 BC and is associated with a mechanical pigeon, which was created by one of the philosopher Plato’s friends.

The 20th Century Marks the Beginning

The true evolution of intelligent systems can be traced back to 1900-1950. During this period, discussions about artificial intelligence, its possibilities, and its potential to create AI brains became more prominent.

In 1950, interest in machine intelligent grew even stronger when Alan Turing published his work “Computer Machinery and Intelligence“, where he introduced the concept of machine learning, then referred to as “The Imitation Game.”

Two years later, computer scientist Arthur Samuel developed a program to play checkers, which became the first to learn how to play the game independently.

Then, in 1955, John McCarthy used the term “artificial intelligence“ during a seminar — a term we use so widely today.

1957-1979

This period marked AI growth, with various research projects, programming languages, and developments in robotics.

In 1958, John McCarthy introduced LISP, the first programming language for machine intelligent research.

In 1961, an industrial robot started working on an assembly line in New Jersey, performing a dangerous task — transporting die casings and welding parts on cars.

In 1966, the first chatbot was introduced. Created by Joseph Weizenbaum, the system utilized natural language processing.

1980-1987 – The AI boom

Due to rapid growth and increased interest in the field, this period is referred to as the AI boom.

In 1980, the first expert system entered the commercial market — „XCON“. This tool was designed to assist in ordering computer systems by automatically selecting components based on the customer’s needs.

In 1986, Ernst Dickmanns and his team developed and demonstrated a driverless car prototype, which could drive up to 55 miles per hour on a road with no obstacles.

1987-1993

This period is known as the AI winter. As predicted, research funding decreased during this time, slowing down progress.

1993-2011

However, the final decade of the 20th century had significant milestones — it marked the beginning of AI agents.

In 1997, „Deep Blue“ defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov in a tournament. This was a major breakthrough, as it was the first time a program had won against such a champion.

In 2000, the first robot Kismet was created, designed to mimic human emotions.

In 2006, the world’s most popular social media platforms began using smart technology as part of their advertising and user experience algorithms.

In 2011, Apple released Siri, the first virtual assistant.

The Present Situation

In 2020, the AI landscape was shaken by ChatGPT, mentioned at the beginning of this article. OpenAI began beta testing during this period, and today, its capabilities make it useful in many aspects. Yet there are still areas that have to be improved but AI is changing the way we treat information.

If you are interested in this topic, we suggest you check our articles:

• Generative AI: Deep Dive on What It Is and How it Can Be Used
• What is AI Infrastructure? A Detailed Guide on Key Components
• The Evolution of AI Assistants: From Alexa to Alexa Plus

Sources: Maryville University, Tableau