LAB 1: Introduction to Artificial intelligence and Python and
Installation of Python IDE
1.1 Objectives:
An introduction to Artificial intelligence and Python programming language
Since the invention of computers or machines, their capability to perform
various tasks has experienced an exponential growth. Humans have
developed the power of computer systems in terms of their diverse
working domains, their increasing speed, and reducing size with respect
to time.
A branch of Computer Science named Artificial Intelligence pursues
creating the computers or machines as intelligent as human beings.
1.2 Basic Concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
According to the father of Artificial Intelligence, John McCarthy, it is “The
science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially
intelligent computer programs”.
Artificial Intelligence is a way of making a computer, a computer-
controlled robot, or a software think intelligently, in the similar manner
the intelligent humans think. AI is accomplished by studying how human
brain thinks and how humans learn, decide, and work while trying to
solve a problem, and then using the outcomes of this study as a basis of
developing intelligent software and systems.
While exploiting the power of the computer systems, the curiosity of
human, lead him to wonder, “Can a machine think and behave like
humans do?”
Thus, the development of AI started with the intention of creating similar
intelligence in machines that we find and regard high in humans.
1.3 The Necessity of Learning AI
As we know that AI pursues creating the machines as intelligent as
human beings. There are numerous reasons for us to study AI. The
reasons are as follows:
1.3.1 AI can learn through data
In our daily life, we deal with huge amount of data and human brain
cannot keep track of so much data. That is why we need to automate the
things. For doing automation, we need to study AI because it can learn
from data and can do the repetitive tasks with accuracy and without
tiredness.
1.3.2 AI can teach itself
It is very necessary that a system should teach itself because the data
itself keeps changing and the knowledge which is derived from such data
must be updated constantly. We can use AI to fulfill this purpose because
an AI enabled system can teach itself.
1.3.3 AI can respond in real time
Artificial intelligence with the help of neural networks can analyze the
data more deeply. Due to this capability, AI can think and respond to the
situations which are based on the conditions in real time.
1.3.4 AI achieves accuracy
With the help of deep neural networks, AI can achieve tremendous
accuracy. AI helps in the field of medicine to diagnose diseases such as
cancer from the MRIs of patients.
1.3.5 AI can organize data to get most out of it
The data is an intellectual property for the systems which are using self-
learning algorithms. We need AI to index and organize the data in a way
that it always gives the best results.
1.4 Why Python for AI
Artificial intelligence is considered to be the trending technology of the
future. Already there are a number of applications made on it. Due to
this, many companies and researchers are taking interest in it. But the
main question that arises here is that in which programming language can
these AI applications be developed? There are various programming
languages like Lisp, Prolog, C++, Java and Python, which can be used for
developing applications of AI. Among them, Python programming
language gains a huge popularity and the reasons are as follows:
Simple syntax & less coding
Python involves very less coding and simple syntax among other
programming languages which can be used for developing AI applications.
Due to this feature, the testing can be easier and we can focus more on
programming.
Inbuilt libraries for AI projects
A major advantage for using Python for AI is that it comes with inbuilt
libraries. Python has libraries for almost all kinds of AI projects. For
example, NumPy, SciPy, matplotlib, nltk, SimpleAI are some the
important inbuilt libraries of Python.
Open source: Python is an open source programming language. This
makes it widely popular in the community.
Can be used for broad range of programming: Python can be used for a
broad range of programming tasks like small shell script to enterprise
web applications. This is another reason Python is suitable for AI
projects.
Easy-to-learn − Python has few keywords, simple structure, and a
clearly defined syntax. This allows the student to pick up the language
quickly.
Easy-to-read − Python code is more clearly defined and visible to the
eyes.
Easy-to-maintain − Python's source code is fairly easy-to-maintain.
A broad standard library − Python's bulk of the library is very portable
and cross-platform compatible on UNIX, Windows, and Macintosh.
1.5 Python and PyCharm Installation:
1.5.1 Download python interpreter
https://www.python.org/ (Latest version Python 3.x.x)
1.5.2 Pycharm
https://www.guru99.com/how-to-install-python.html
