AI & Machine Learning

Selections made by top experts for an audience new to this topic

Explanations

Industrial applications

Now & in the future

Ethics

Why does it matter?

Artificial intelligence “is a technology that is transforming every walk of life,” according to Darrell M. West of the Brooking Institution. AI systems have already become important components of nearly every economic sector, particularly finance, health care, and transportation, and are set to continue to expand in the near future.

Entry points

How does artificial intelligence learn?

Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence

Selected articles and texts

Analysis

5 min

Columbia University

Artificial Intelligence (AI) vs. Machine Learning

Although they are often used interchangeably, there is a big difference between artificial intelligence and machine learning. This article breaks down the difference and provides a beginner’s guide to practical applications of the two in major industries.

Article

5 min

Harvard University

The History of Artificial Intelligence

Presents a succinct yet detailed history of artificial intelligence, from early conceptions to first attempts to latest innovations.

Article

10 min

CNBC

How A.I. is set to evolve in 2022

This analysis outlines the current state of artificial intelligence (for example, it is still dumber than a 7-year-old) and predicts where AI will go next. The author places a big emphasis on the importance of so-called ‘hybrid systems,’ which represent an attempt to make AI systems proficient in more than one specific skill.

Article

10 min

Forbes

10 Ways AI Has The Potential To Improve Agriculture In 2021

This article outlines potential applications of artificial intelligence in agriculture, a field that stands to benefit perhaps more than any from AI implementation.

Article

15 min

The New York Times

Who Is Making Sure the A.I. Machines Aren’t Racist?

AI isn’t perfect, and many times it reflects the biases of its creators. When two AI experts at Google pointed out that their algorithms show bias against women and people of color, they were forced out.

Essay

10 min

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

How AI can help combat systemic racism

On a more hopeful note, this article from digital media expert and UT Austin professor S. Craig Watkins outlines how to overcome algorithmic racism and build AI models that are more equitable.

Article

10 min

Vox

Does this AI know it’s alive?

This is an important example of AI relevance to current events. Fear of sentient computers is certainly nothing new, and there’s no reason to believe that any AI has become sentient, but they’ve gotten very good at aping it. This article describes a recent media scandal in which a Google engineer became convinced that a language model made by the tech giant had become sentient.

Paper

30 min

Future Healthcare Journal

The potential for artificial intelligence in healthcare

There are already a great many ways in which AI is being utilized in healthcare, and this article pinpoints where AI may be most helpful, such as administrative work and diagnosis. However, this paper warns that there are several implementation factors that prevent a large-scale implementation in the healthcare field.

Paper

30 min

Brookings Institution

How artificial intelligence is transforming the world

A long-form discussion of the several novel applications of AI in a variety of industries. This paper also includes a discussion of the many ethical, legal, and logistical issues that have been raised by a growing reliance on AI.

Deep dive: long form content to further your understanding

Heartificial Intelligence: Embracing Our Humanity to Maximize Machines

A compelling argument for a real conversation about the ethical issues raised by artificial intelligence. Author John C. Havens doesn’t argue for or against AI, but depicts two different futures: one where we approach the issue with good values and ethics, and one where we do not.

Digitize and Punish: Racial Criminalization in the Digital Age

A more recent publication, this book analyzes the social applications of artificial intelligence, specifically how new technologies can be used to enforce existing structural racism. University of Illinois professor Brian Jefferson argues that carceral power has been digitized, and warns that these tools can be used to harm the most vulnerable in society.

Acclaimed mathematician and human-centered computing advocate Cathy O’Neil warns of the perils of relying on algorithms and AI to make decisions. Although in theory this should remove human bias, the opposite is true: many models actually reinforce discrimination. O’Neil calls on tech companies to fix this systemic issue, and on policymakers to implement regulations.

Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy

Neuroscientist Sam Harris speaks with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt about how AI is changing the world we live in.

Listen Here

The Future of Artificial Intelligence

Machine Learning: Living in the Age of AI

Computer Scientist Explains Machine Learning in 5 Levels of Difficulty

This short film produced by WIRED examines the practical aspects of artificial intelligence and presents examples of how people, such as farmers and senior citizens, interact with AI in their day-to-day lives.

In this video, start-up founder and computer scientist Hilary Mason explains machine learning to five different people, ranging from children to a fellow expert. It’s a great resource for people at all levels of understanding and easily digestible.