artificial intelligence

noun

1

: the capability of computer systems or algorithms to imitate intelligent human behavior

… helped pioneer the idea that computers can exhibit artificial intelligence that mirrors human thinking.

—Richard Sandomir

A Monmouth University poll … found that only 9 percent of Americans believed that computers with artificial intelligence would do more good than harm to society.

—Shira Ovide

Artificial intelligence applications are already used behind the scenes in hospitals to automate workforce tasks, improve patient flow, for operating room scheduling and elsewhere to improve efficiency.

—Liz Freeman

also, plural artificial intelligences : a computer, computer system, or set of algorithms having this capability

Someday, our artificial intelligences will be capable enough to pass for human.

—Benjamin C. Kinney

… they are now eager to create artificial intelligences that can mediate human life at every level.

—Edward Ongweso Jr.

see also generative artificial intelligence

2

: a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent human behavior by computers

The school of computer science offers … undergraduate degrees in artificial intelligence.

—Evan Robinson-Johnson

He is looking to study computer science focusing on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

—Joe McHugh

Examples of artificial intelligence in a Sentence

a robot with artificial intelligence

Recent Examples on the Web

The university is also facing a separate federal lawsuit filed in February by a student accused of using artificial intelligence to write papers, who alleges the university disciplined them without a fair process. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Modern artificial intelligence consumes massive amounts of electricity because hardware continuously shifts data back and forth between separate memory banks and processor units. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026

As debate rages over how to respond to the growing power of artificial intelligence, Bill Gates is throwing a billion dollars and some words of wisdom at the problem. — Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Long before ChatGPT and Claude entered the global lexicon, there had been a steadystream of warnings about the dangers of artificial intelligence. — Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for artificial intelligence

• counterintelligence

Kids Definition

artificial intelligence

noun

: the power of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior