Attending and speaking at a University Research Administrators Conference last week, there was a constant buzzword: artificial intelligence (AI). Defined as when a computer system can perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, AI is fast becoming a part of everyday life. The luncheon keynote speaker demonstrated AI through “Ruby,” who recognized his voice while processing content based on questions, almost instantly producing answers on various topics.

My understanding of this new phenomenon is that it is machine learning and a deeper type of learning. Deeper learning utilizes algorithms with logical replies as we produce. Since 2011, we have had Alexa and Siri in our lives. So, where are we headed? As one person put it to me last week: “This time last year, AI was barely a blip on our radar. Now, it is everywhere!”