When we think about how machines make decisions, it often boils down to a few core approaches. One of the most common is optimization, which you can think of as a machine picking the best option from a massive menu. The algorithm searches a list of possibilities and selects an action based on some objective criteria.
When people talk about AI, the conversation often veers into science fiction territory—killer robots and superintelligence. But that narrative misses the point. The real story of Applied Artificial Intelligence isn't about creating a new life form; it's about building tools that solve meaningful problems for real people. I’ve seen this firsthand, designing AI to help wind farms generate more sustainable energy, factories cut their emissions, and buildings operate more efficiently.