The Evolution and Impact of AI Technology

In this article, we explore the pioneers of artificial intelligence, from Alan Turing to Sam Altman, and their contributions that shaped modern computing and AI. Understanding their impact is key to navigating future challenges and opportunities in technology.


The Evolution and Impact of AI Technology

In 1936, an article was published about the 'Turing Machine', a model that addressed the concept of algorithm and computation. This was a turning point in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), laying the groundwork for future developments. Alan Turing, a British mathematician, was a pioneer in computation theory and raised the question in 1950: 'Can machines think?', which remains relevant today, considering the growing importance of AI in everyday life.

Other notable figures in the field of AI are Allen Newell and Herbert A. Simon, who contributed to the development of expert systems and computational models that mimic human thinking. Generative artificial intelligence has gained relevance in the last decade, led by figures like Sam Altman at OpenAI, an organization founded in 2015 by a group of entrepreneurs and researchers such as Elon Musk and Altman, with the purpose of creating safe and accessible AI for the benefit of humanity.

The 'Turing Test', proposed in 1950, is fundamental in evaluating a machine's ability to simulate human intelligence, establishing a standard in this field. John McCarthy, who coined the term 'artificial intelligence' in 1956, is another key pioneer in the development of this field, also presenting the Lisp programming language, essential for AI researchers. Marvin Minsky, a collaborator of McCarthy, played a crucial role in the development of neural networks and cognitive research applied to AI.

Among the benefits of artificial intelligence are the automation and efficiency of processes, as well as improvements in decision-making. A prominent example today is ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, a chatbot based on deep learning techniques that allows users to interact with an artificial intelligence capable of generating coherent text from simple instructions.

AI is a constantly evolving field that promises to change the world as we know it. With approximately 1.6 billion monthly visits by December 2024, it continues to expand and offer new opportunities and challenges for society.