Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. This encompasses a variety of capabilities, including understanding natural language, recognizing patterns, solving problems, and making decisions. AI systems utilize algorithms and vast amounts of data to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.

AI can be categorized into two main types: narrow AI, which is designed to perform specific tasks (such as voice recognition or image analysis), and general AI, which aims to understand and reason across a wide range of tasks as a human would. In practical applications, AI is employed in numerous fields, such as healthcare for diagnostic tasks, finance for automated trading, customer service through chatbots, and transportation for self-driving vehicles. As technology continues to advance, AI is increasingly integrated into daily life, enhancing efficiencies and creating new possibilities in various industries.