AI for the Rest of Us

Welcome to our first official journey together into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence (AI).

Week 3 newsletter: what is machine learning

In our exploration of AI, we've touched upon what AI is and delved into Machine Learning. This week, we're peeling back another layer of the AI onion - Natural Language Processing (NLP).

So, what is NLP? To understand this, let's think about a conversation between two friends. They're able to communicate seamlessly - understanding each other's language, tone, context, even sarcasm and humour. It's a complex process, but it comes naturally to us as humans. Now, imagine trying to teach a computer to understand and replicate this process - that's NLP.

NLP is a branch of AI that deals with the interaction between computers and humans using natural language. The ultimate objective of NLP is to enable computers to understand, interpret, and generate human languages in a valuable way. It’s the technology that powers applications like voice assistants, translation services, and chatbots.

But why is NLP important in AI? In short, it bridges the gap between human communication and computer understanding. Without NLP, our interactions with AI systems would be less intuitive and far more mechanical.

To delve deeper into this fascinating subject, we recommend this informative video entitled What is NLP? by IBM. It's slightly longer than our previous videos, but we promise it's worth every minute.

In the video, they dissect what NLP is, how it works, and its integral role in AI, using real-world examples that make this complex subject accessible and relatable. They touch upon how NLP allows AI systems to understand, interpret, and even generate human language.

NLP is the driving force behind many innovations that are transforming our lives - from the voice assistant on your phone to the customer service chatbot on a website. It's an integral part of AI that's making our interactions with technology feel more human, personalised, and intuitive.

If you’ve got more time and want to read in a bit more depth about this week’s topic, we recommend:

1. Forbes: The Evolution Of Natural Language Processing And Its Impact On AI

2. RT Insights: Quantum Natural Language Processing Deployed on BBC Archives

As we continue our journey into AI, we'll explore more such facets, shedding light on their practical applications and importance. Remember, we're on this journey together, and your curiosity, questions, and insights fuel our mission.

Please share your thoughts, questions, or any topic suggestions with us. We're thrilled to unravel the mysteries of AI with you.

Until next week …

Warren and Mark

Leaders of the AI For The Rest of Us and your curators of AI knowledge