Xanadu Photo courtesy of UCLA Department of Theater and REMAP
Introduction to AI for Good
AI or artificial intelligence is a hot button topic in today’s society. The mention of this technology seems to cause great divides among family, friends and colleagues. In general, one group believes that AI is a threat that will end with livelihoods being replaced while others believe that it can dramatically enhance processes and work that will be transformative.
Initially, Innovation Magazine set out to write a short article on how AI can be used for good but once the process got started, the piece became much bigger than anticipated so we decided to put out a special edition titled AI for Good that you can find here.
A simple definition of AI
According to Britannica, artificial intelligence or AI is the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. The term is frequently applied to the project of developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from previous experience.
It’s important to understand that there are many facets to the broad concept of AI. But to break it down in simple terms, Artificial Intelligence first learns, then begins to function, and grows in its capability. It then uses technology for its tasks and has various applications in the real world.
Currently, we are in the very early phase of AI known as Artificial Narrow Intelligence where you can prompt an AI platform like ChatGPT and it will provide an answer based on the single task. AI works sequentially as it builds output based on data. The most familiar AI terms refer to the technology of Machine Learning where algorithms are used to analyze data and learn patterns and Generative AI that produces text, visuals and/or audio when prompted.
See AI generated Appendix for more
READ AI for GOOD This is a special edition of the UCLA TDG Innovation Magazine Winter 2025
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