The History of Artificial Intelligence: Key Milestones

Demis Hassabis
4 min read4 days ago

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved from an ambitious idea into a transformative force driving innovation across industries. Understanding its journey provides insights into the key milestones that shaped the field. This article explores the timeline of AI’s development, highlighting significant achievements that have defined its history.

Early Beginnings

1. The Concept of Artificial Intelligence

The idea of intelligent machines dates back to ancient times, with myths and stories describing automatons and thinking devices.

  • Ancient Myths: Greek mythology features Talos, a giant automaton, while other cultures imagined artificial beings with human-like intelligence.
  • Philosophical Foundations: In the 17th and 18th centuries, philosophers like René Descartes and Thomas Hobbes explored concepts of logic and reasoning that influenced AI thought.

2. Mathematical Foundations

Advancements in mathematics during the 19th and early 20th centuries laid the groundwork for AI:

  • George Boole (1854): Developed Boolean algebra, a system of logic central to computer science.
  • Alan Turing (1936): Proposed the…

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