Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the branch of computer science and technology focused on creating systems or machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks include problem-solving, learning, understanding natural language, recognizing patterns, and making decisions. AI can be categorized into two main types: narrow AI, which is designed for specific tasks (like speech recognition or image analysis), and general AI, which would possess the ability to perform any intellectual task that a human can do.

AI technologies and techniques include machine learning, where algorithms improve automatically through experience; deep learning, a subset of machine learning that uses neural networks to process data in complex ways; and natural language processing, which enables machines to understand and respond to human language. AI has applications across various fields, including healthcare, finance, transportation, and entertainment, and continues to evolve rapidly, leading to both exciting opportunities and ethical challenges.