Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science focused on creating machines that can mimic human intelligence. This includes tasks like recognizing speech, making decisions, and translating languages. AI is divided into narrow AI, designed for specific tasks, and general AI, which aims for the broader cognitive abilities of humans. It's powered by machine learning, where computers learn from data, improving over time. AI technologies have revolutionized industries by offering smarter, data-driven decision-making tools. However, the rapid advancement of AI also poses ethical and societal challenges, such as privacy concerns and job displacement. As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, balancing its benefits with potential risks is crucial.