2. Artificial Intelligence History

This chapter provides an overview of selected historical developments that are important for understanding the emergence of the multifaceted phenomenon we now call AI; ideas about machines that think have existed since antiquity. The chapter demonstrates how these ideas animated AI projects in the 20 th century. The history of AI is also a history of changing conceptions of human intelligence and its role as a productive force in modern societies. It shows how these new technologies have been steeped in hype about their capabilities. Furthermore, the often mythological conception of AI throughout modern history reminds us of the necessity of a critical approach to the current promises that these technologies will reshape the world. Keywords AI myths deep learning expert systems microworlds Turing test