What is the purpose of "AI"?

I have two questions what is the purpose of (how it is currently addressed) "AI"?

Then two what are most people using it for, other than work? By most people I mean all of humanity that uses it, not a small group like this forum for example. I also want to exclude people who use it for "random amusement/curiosity" unless that is the major use case.
 
The biggest advantage of AI is for it to be able to do anything (within its power). It's versatility to be able to provide us is its purpose. You want a code written in a specific language about a specific function? AI. You want answers that you are too lazy to research about? AI. You want a cat face but on a dog's body? AI.
Anyway if this wasn't the type of answer you were looking for then I don't know. Maybe ask the AI?
 
As per ChatGpt -

The purpose of AI (Artificial Intelligence) can vary depending on context, but broadly speaking, it's designed to:
  1. Mimic Human Intelligence: Replicate human cognitive functions like learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding.
  2. Automate Tasks: Handle repetitive or complex tasks more efficiently than humans—like data analysis, customer service, driving, or even diagnosing diseases.
  3. Enhance Human Capabilities: Act as a tool to help people do things better or faster—like helping writers brainstorm ideas, assisting doctors in surgery, or supporting scientists in research.
  4. Solve Complex Problems: Tackle issues that are too big or complicated for humans alone, such as climate modeling, drug discovery, or optimizing global logistics.
  5. Learn and Adapt: Continuously improve based on data and experience, which allows systems to become more accurate or useful over time.

If you’re asking in a deeper sense—like philosophically or ethically—the purpose of AI often reflects human intent: to extend our reach, reduce suffering, explore possibilities, or simply innovate.


What's your angle—curious about the practical side, the ethical side, or maybe something else?
 
This Veritasium video highlights a very important role AI has helped fill in the medical field and helps understand AI from a different perspective than the mainstream LLMs most people associate with AI. Heck if you're on TE, you're most probably also into games. DLSS is another great example of AI outside the ChatGPT/Copilot bubble.

AI is an mathematical tool that helps solve problems.