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How Many Different Types of AI Are There?

William M. Teker By

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What is AI?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been exploding this year. Depending on whether you are a company, organization, government, or a developer... At a high-level of Artificial Intelligence (AI) there are different definitions. At an overall high level definition, the definition that comes straight out of a dictionary: 

 
"The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages."
 
However, Artificial Intelligence (AI) may have a much different definition when described by someone else. Or a completely different definition depending on what kind of Artificial Intelligence (AI) you're describing. It could be confusing to most people who don't even know which type of AI you're referring to. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) has grown over the years and now defined in many different types of categories, there are plenty of different types of AI.

Types of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

There are so many different types of AI and it can be a bit confusing. AI can be broken out into categories, functions, or different types to make it simpler to understand. Having a mind map might help to better visualize the different types of AI. Let's start with a few names first and then show a map to help visualize. Here are a few types of Artificial Intelligences that you may have seen in articles or research across the internet.

Machine Learning:

  • (Statistical Algorithms) - Medical diagnosis, facial and speech recognition.

Robotics:

  • Powered Robots - Boston Dynamics, Ameca, Flippy, Aquanaut, Optimus (Tesla Bots).

Optimization:

  • GPS for best optimal route, data quality, increased efficiency.

Natural Language Processing (NLP):

  • Spell check, translation, search engines results, what, when, why, how.

Theory of Mind (ToM):

  • Still in the early stages, however some examples are autonomous cars, but also understanding human thoughts, empathy, and emotions.

Reactive Machines:

  • IBM Deep Blue-chess, decision making, video game machine.

Limited Memory:

  • Chatbots, virtual assistance, self-driven cars

Self-Aware:

  • Terminator: This will be the scary part of Artificial Intelligence, when AI robots can be self-aware and understand human emotions, thoughts, empathy, etc., which could then really replace humans as we know.

These Artificial Intelligences above are different types and some are subsets of the high-level AI dictionary definition from above. There are many more Artificial Intelligence (AI) names that have been developed depending on the types of AI and their different functions. Let's take a step back and move up to a higher-level category of AI names with a simpler approach and view.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Category Types

High Level AI Categories:

  • Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI)
    • Chatbots, Siri, Alexa, Cortana, Search Engine Results
  • Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)
    • Self-Driving Cars, IBM Watson, OpenAI (GPT-4)
  • Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI)
    • Voice assistance, face and biometric recognition solutions, RankBrain 

Here is a small mind map at high level for a quick visual:

The 3 types of AI such as Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) make it a little easier when examining AI at a higher level before diving deeper into each subset of AI.

More AI categories depending on its use and Development

You will find many more AI types already defined and explored. However, as further development continues in the AI world there maybe some types of AI not fully developed or defined. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to develop in many different areas, AI experts and AI professors will need to start defining any new AI categories. Here is an AI mind map from Enspired-Trading as another visual example.

As you can see from above there are many different types of AI categories depending on the scenario. The technology of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is constantly evolving into different uses and categories. Hence, when defining a type of Artificial Intelligence (AI) it will depend on its use, requirement, and application.

Also: Check out the AI Art gallery collection of AI generated Pics

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