The document discusses artificial intelligence and defines it as the intelligence demonstrated by machines, in particular the ability to solve novel problems, act rationally, and act like humans. It covers the history of AI from its beginnings in 1943 to modern applications of machine learning and neural networks. While some problems like chess and math proofs have been solved, full human-level intelligence remains elusive and computers still cannot understand speech, plan optimally, or learn completely on their own without specific programming.