Overview Way back in 1965, technologist Herbert Simon stated that "Machines will be able, within 20 years, to do any job that a man can do" (Vardi, 2012). Nearly fifty years later, this world has been significantly impacted by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The threat of computer systems and machinery equipped with artificial intelligence taking jobs away from humans is becoming a harsh reality (Vardi, 2012). As with any innovative technology, there are positive and negative externalities involved. This paper will: define AI, discuss the positives and negatives involved in implementing AI systems, explore different types of different ways in which AI-enabled systems are tested, and venture into the current phase of AI artificial. systems mainly IBM's Watson project. Definition of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Artificial intelligence (AI) can be simply defined as “the application of human intelligence to computers” (Shelly & Vermaat 2010). John McCarthy, a professor in the Department of Computer Science at Stanford University, describes artificial intelligence as “the science and engineering of creating intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs. The same task of using computers to understand human intelligence, but artificial intelligence must not be limited to biologically observable methods” (McCarthy 2007). The book Management Information Systems, written by Kenneth Laudon and Jane Laudon (2012) describes artificial intelligence as, “technology, consisting of computer-based systems (both hardware and software) that attempt to emulate human behavior” (Laudon & Laudon, 2012, p. These systems can “learn languages, perform physical tasks, use the perceptual apparatus, and emulate human competence and decision making” (Laudon & Laudon, 2012, p. 457). Essentially...... middle of the paper......., & Laoui, T. (2010). Development of an AI-based rapid manufacturing consultancy system. International Journal of Manufacturing Research, 48(8), 2261-2278.Noor, A. K. (2010). Preparing for the intelligence age. Mechanical Engineering, 132(11), 24-28. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Putting the "smart" in the Smart Grid: a great challenge for artificial intelligence. (2012). Communications of the ACM, 55(4), 86-97. doi:10.1145/2133806.2133825Shelly, G & Vermaat, M. (2010). Discovering Computers 2010. Boston, MA: Course Technology.Shieber, S. M. (2007). The Turing test as an interactive test. Nous, 41(4), 686-713. doi:10.1111/j.1468-0068.2007.00636.xVardi, M.Y. (2012). Artificial intelligence: past and future. Communications of the ACM, 55(1), 5. doi:10.1145/2063176.2063177Von Drehle, D. (2010). Meet Doctor Robot. Time, 176(24), 44-49. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.