Artificial intelligence (AI) is the study of computer systems that attempt to model and apply human intelligence. Early pioneers like Alan Turing asked if machines could think in the 1950s, and the field of AI was established in a 1956 workshop. Modern AI has made advances in digital assistants like Siri, robotics, deep learning, and self-driving cars. However, challenges remain around computing power, intuitive thinking, and human-level judgment. The future of AI may include improved healthcare, exploration, and automation, but risks include unemployment, diminished human abilities, and potential misuse if it falls into the wrong hands.