how does ai work in simple terms

Artificial intelligence (AI) works by enabling machines to learn from data and recognize patterns, allowing them to perform tasks efficiently without being explicitly programmed for each specific task. AI systems process large amounts of data, identify similarities and differences, and use algorithms—sets of rules or instructions—to make decisions, predictions, or generate new content. The more data AI learns from, the better it gets at understanding and completing tasks, often by improving through trial and error, similar to how humans learn from experience. Key methods in AI include machine learning, where systems learn from examples; deep learning, which uses neural networks to process complex data; and reinforcement learning, where the system learns by receiving rewards or penalties based on its actions. This technology underpins applications like virtual assistants, recommendation systems, self- driving cars, and generative AI tools like ChatGPT.