Artificial intelligence, or AI, refers to the ability of machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. This includes activities like understanding language, recognizing patterns, solving problems, and making decisions. AI systems can learn from data, improving their performance over time without being explicitly programmed for every task. There are various types of AI, including machine learning, where algorithms analyze data to identify trends, and natural language processing, which enables computers to understand and respond to human language. AI is used in many applications, such as virtual assistants, recommendation systems, and autonomous vehicles, enhancing efficiency and productivity across different fields.