Artificial Intelligence is a branch of Science which deals with helping machines find solutions to complex problems in a more human-like fashion. This generally involves borrowing characteristics from human intelligence, and applying them as algorithms in a computer friendly way. A more or less flexible or efficient approach can be taken depending on the requirements established.

AI is generally associated with Computer Science, but it has many important links with other fields such as Mathematics, Psychology, Cognition, Biology and Philosophy, among many others. Our ability to combine knowledge from all these fields will ultimately benefit our progress in the quest of creating an intelligent artificial being.

Many AI researchers love to believe that mimicking the human brain and the human process of thinking is the best way to develop an artificially intelligent agent. I am a strong supporter of this opinion. I believe that breakthroughs in AI would have been only possible when we would be able to truly realize ourselves – how we think, how we correlate our thoughts and how we choose to act in diverse uncertain situations. Though in addition, I love to believe that in no way, an intelligent agent can surpass the intelligence of its creator.

The fictitious character – a genius Indian scientist – Professor Shanku by Satyajit Ray, is my idol as an AI researcher. My last couple of years has been obsessed by his thrilling science fictions.