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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Microsoft’s Network Infrastructure Copilot has shown how artificial intelligence for IT operations (AIOps) platforms can autonomously resolve issues while keeping human operators in the loop with detailed diagnostics. Srikanta Datta, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 Following his speculative short fiction collection There Is a Rio Grande in Heaven, Ruben Reyes Jr.’s debut novel is historical fiction by way of the multiverse and artificial intelligence. Natalie Zutter june 30, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025 Separately, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg has been working to expand his pool of artificial intelligence talent in an attempt to make up for the underwhelming performance of Meta’s LLaMA AI model at its April launch. Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 30 June 2025 Meta Platforms — Shares gained 1% after Bloomberg and The Information over the weekend reported, citing unnamed sources, that Meta has hired four artificial intelligence researchers from OpenAI to join its new Superintelligence group led by Alexandr Wang. Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for artificial intelligence

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of artificial intelligence was in 1955

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Cite this Entry

“Artificial intelligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/artificial%20intelligence. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

artificial intelligence

noun
: the power of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior

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