Rutgers researchers have been working in the field of artificial intelligence decades before AI started to become a common part of our lives through face recognition software, social media algorithms, chatbots, digital assistants such as Alexa and Siri and in many other ways.
The term artificial intelligence describes computers and other machines that have been programmed to make predictions, recommendations, or decisions (often using massive data sets and large-scale optimization) in a way that can be understood as using knowledge to achieve goals - which can appear to emulate aspects of human work and cognition.
It's the technology that makes it possible for Amazon to make recommendations based on purchases, powers Google searches and automatic financial trading, says Matthew Stone, a professor of computer science in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, who teaches courses to prepare students to be the next generation of leaders in AI.
In 1968 Saul Amarel, founder of Rutgers' computer science department, wrote a paper about the technology that put him at the forefront of the AI movement. And today, Rutgers is still breaking ground in the AI field. Rutgers researchers are exploring ways to use AI to fight crime, improve cybersecurity and expand job opportunities for people with disabilities. They are also tackling legal guidelines and philosophical questions surrounding the future.
Here are just some of the ways that Rutgers researchers are using AI to address critical needs in the world.
