Is AI Artificial or Assisted Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a term that often sparks curiosity and, at times, concern. Many people imagine AI as something futuristic—machines thinking like humans, replacing jobs, or even taking over the world. But, is AI truly artificial (overcoming human intelligence), or is it more of an assistant, making life easier for humans?

AI, as used mostly, is a broad term that refers to computer programs and systems that can perform tasks usually requiring human intelligence. These tasks include understanding language, recognizing patterns, making decisions, and even learning from experience.

In fact, AI is everywhere, these days. One does not need to be a tech expert to interact with AI systems. In fact, it is likely we use it without even thinking about it. 

Some of the more common examples of using AI systems in everyday life are:

1.  Smart Assistants (like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant) responding to voice commands and helping with tasks like setting reminders, playing music, or even answering questions.

2. Recommendation Systems on platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify suggest movies, videos, and music based on one's preferences.

3. We have the spam filters which help keep unwanted messages out of our inbox.

4. Then there are navigation apps, like Google Maps to analyze traffic conditions to suggest the fastest route.

5. And of course, our "friendly" customer support chatbots to provide us with quick answers when we visit different websites.

You see, in all these cases, AI is working behind the scenes, helping—but not replacing—humans.

We humans are "social animals", and hence the human touch matters a lot. Though AI is very powerful and can perform certain tasks much faster and with greater accuracy than most humans, it still lacks human qualities like creativity, emotion, and ethical judgment, that we humans care about so much. So, while AI can "generate" music, write articles, or even paint pictures, it doesn’t truly "understand" these tasks the way a person does. Human oversight is always needed to ensure AI is used responsibly and fairly. 

While AI is often called "artificial intelligence," maybe it would be a better way to think of it as "assisted intelligence." AI does not replace human intelligence but enhances it. 

For example:

1. In healthcare, AI helps doctors diagnose diseases more accurately by analyzing medical images and patient data.

2. In education, AI-powered tools assist teachers by grading assignments or they can create personalized learning experiences for students.

3. In business, AI automates repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on creative and strategic work.

AI thus acts as a helper, making complex tasks simpler and more efficient.

So, instead of fearing AI, we should embrace it as a tool that can improve our lives, from helping doctors, making shopping easier, or simply recommending the best moves. 

Thus, AI is here to assist, not replace.