What is AI? Also, how do programs like ChatGpt and DeepSeek work?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly part of everyday life over the past decade.

It is used for everything from personalising social media feeds to powering medical breakthroughs.

But as big tech companies and governments fight to be at the forefront of AI development, critics have expressed caution about potential misuse, ethical complexity and environmental impact.

AI allows computers to learn and solve problems in ways that make them look human.

Computers cannot think, empathize, or think about why.

However, scientists are developing systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, and are trying to replicate the ways in which people acquire and use knowledge.

AI programs can process large amounts of data, identify patterns, and follow detailed instructions on what to do with that information.

This could be that an online shopper is trying to predict which products to purchase based on previous purchases to recommend items.

The technology is also behind voice-controlled virtual assistants such as Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa, and is used to develop systems for self-driving cars.

AI helps social platforms like Facebook, Tiktok and X decide which posts to show to users. Streaming services Spotify and Deezer use AI to suggest music.

Scientists are also using AI as a way to speed up cancer spots, diagnosis and identify new drugs.

Computer Vision, a form of AI that allows computers to detect objects and people in images, is used to help x-ray operators see the results of x-rays.

Generation AI is used to create new content that can be felt as created by humans.

This is done by learning from a huge amount of existing data, such as online text and images.

ChatGpt and Chinese rival Deepseek’s chatbot are two widely used generation AI tools. Midjourney allows you to create images from a simple text prompt.

So-called chatbots such as Google’s Gemini and Meta AI can hold text conversations with users.

Generation AI can also be used to create high-quality videos and music.

Songs that mimic the style and sound of famous musicians have been circulating through word of mouth, and sometimes fans are confused about their credibility.

While acknowledging the possibilities of AI, some experts are worried about the impact of rapid growth.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns that AI could affect almost 40% of employment, which could exacerbate financial inequality.

Professor Jeffrey Hinton, a computer scientist considered one of the “godfathers” of AI development, has expressed concern that powerful AI systems can even destroy humans.

Critics also highlight the potential of technologies to replicate biased information and discriminate against several social groups.

This is because much of the data used to train AI comes from public material, including social media posts and comments, which may reflect biases such as sexism and racism.

Thousands of creators, including Aba singer-songwriter Bjorn Urveus, authors Ian Rankin and Joan Harris, and actress Julian Moore, called AI “a major unjust threat” in October 2024 The statement has been signed.

It’s not clear how much AI systems use it, but some researchers estimate that the entire industry could consume as quickly as the Netherlands.

It also takes a lot of power and water to create the powerful computer chips needed to run AI programs.

The demand for generating AI services means an increase in the number of data centers.

These huge halls – house thousands of racks of computer servers – use a considerable amount of energy and require a large amount of water to keep them cool.

Some large tech companies have either invested in ways to reduce or reuse the water they need, or have opted for alternatives such as air cooling.

However, some experts and activists fear that AI will exacerbate water supply issues.

The BBC was told in February that the government plans to make the UK a “world leader” for AI, and could already be nervous and expanding its drinking water supply.

In September 2024, Google said it would reconsider its proposal for a data center in Chile, which is suffering from drought.

Some governments have already put in place rules governing how AI operates.

The EU’s artificial intelligence law manages high-risk systems used in areas such as education, healthcare, law enforcement, and elections. Some AI use is completely prohibited.

China’s Generated AI Developers are necessary to protect citizens’ data and promote information transparency and accuracy. But they are also bound by the country’s strict censorship laws.

In the UK, Prime Minister Kiel says the government will “test and understand AI before we regulate it.”

Both the UK and the US have AI safety agencies that aim to identify risks and evaluate advanced AI models.

In 2024, the two countries signed an agreement to cooperate on the development of “robust” AI testing methods.

However, in February 2025, neither country signed an international AI declaration pledging to an open, comprehensive and sustainable approach to technology.

Several countries, including the UK, have closed their AI systems and have prepared sexual abuse materials for Deepfake Nude Imagery and Child.