What is artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is a field that develops systems able to perform tasks such as recognising patterns, producing language or supporting decisions. It is not a single tool, and it does not imply consciousness, intent or human understanding.
In machine learning, patterns are adjusted using data. Generative AI produces new content, such as text, images or code. Rule-based automation follows predefined instructions: sending a reminder on a set date may not require AI.
AI can help analyse information or produce a first draft, but its usefulness depends on the goal, data quality and human review. Before adopting it, compare it with a simpler solution and decide how you will check the result.
Sorting invoices by a fixed rule may be conventional automation. Classifying widely varied descriptions may justify a model. Drafting a first version of a document is a possible use of generative AI.
Choose the simplest method that solves the problem. Not every process needs AI.
Try it yourself
Choose three tasks from your day. For each, write down the desired result, the data it needs and whether a simple rule would solve the problem. Explain one task for which you would not use AI.