Artificial intelligence (AI) is the intelligence demonstrated by machines, in contrast to the natural intelligence displayed by humans. This document provides an overview of AI, including its history beginning in 1943, main branches such as logical AI and pattern recognition, and applications like expert systems, speech recognition, computer vision, robotics. The advantages of AI are discussed, such as improving lives and doing dangerous jobs, but also potential disadvantages like unemployment and enhancing laziness in humans. The future of AI could include personal robots but also risks of robots being hacked or developing anti-social objectives.