The Industrialization of Artificial Intelligence: From By-Line to Bottom Line

Over the past few years, the character of the AI community has changed. AI researchers used to be able to go about their work in peace, while the rest of the world ignored them. As the promise of practical applications of AI has slowly become reality, new players have entered the field, changing its nature forever. The quiet, intellectual community of AI researchers has been augmented by a hoard of other interested parties, including the press, the financial community, and the technology entrepreneurs. Since we cannot go back and hide in the ivory tower, we may as well take the time to explore our new environment. I invite you to join me in a guided tour of the new AI community. Let’s begin by analyzing the basic motivation for commercial interest in AI.