While artificial intelligence (AI) is now deeply embedded in our everyday lives, its roots go back several decades. The progress we see today is the result of a long and continuous evolution.

To better understand this technological revolution, let’s explore ten major milestones in the history of AI—moments that not only marked breakthroughs in computing, but also redefined the way we interact with machines.

From early theories of neural networks to game-changing innovations in natural language processing and facial recognition, these key dates highlight how AI has influenced diverse fields like strategic games, medicine, and consumer robotics.

1943 – McCulloch and Pitts lay the foundations of neural networks

Warren McCulloch and Walter Pitts publish “A Logical Calculus of Ideas Immanent in Nervous Activity,” proposing the first theoretical model of artificial neural networks. Their work simulates how the human brain functions and introduces the idea of connecting artificial neurons to perform logical operations.

1951 – SNARC, the first neural network computer

Mathematician Marvin Minsky and neurophysiologist Warren McCulloch build the Stochastic Neural Analog Reinforcement Calculator (SNARC). Though basic by today’s standards, SNARC represents the first real-world attempt to implement neural networks in a machine.

1956 – The Dartmouth Conference officially launches AI research

Organized by John McCarthy, Marvin Minsky, Nathaniel Rochester, and Claude Shannon, this landmark event brings researchers together to explore the possibility of creating artificial intelligence. It formally establishes AI as a distinct field of study.

1957 – The Perceptron: a neural network that learns

Frank Rosenblatt develops the Perceptron, a basic neural network capable of learning to recognize patterns. Although limited in capacity, it proves that machines can adapt and improve through experience—a major step in machine learning.

1965 – ELIZA, the first natural language chatbot

Joseph Weizenbaum creates ELIZA, a program that simulates human conversation through natural language processing. The chatbot surprises the public by showing how machines can interact in a human-like manner, paving the way for future conversational AI.

1997 – IBM’s Deep Blue beats the world chess champion

Deep Blue, a supercomputer built by IBM, defeats reigning world chess champion Garry Kasparov. This historic victory demonstrates that machines can outperform humans in highly complex and strategic domains.

2002 – iRobot launches Roomba, an AI-powered household robot

Roomba, the first widely available AI-powered robotic vacuum, enters homes around the world. It marks a milestone in AI for daily life, offering autonomous functionality for everyday household tasks.

2014 – Facebook develops DeepFace, an advanced facial recognition system

DeepFace is Facebook’s facial recognition software that achieves near-human accuracy. This breakthrough in computer vision raises both technological excitement and public debate over ethics and privacy.

2020 – OpenAI releases GPT-3, a leap in natural language understanding

GPT-3 (Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3), developed by OpenAI, is one of the most powerful language models ever created. It significantly advances how machines can generate, interpret, and respond to human language—fueling new applications in chatbots, content generation, and beyond.

2021 – DeepMind solves the protein folding problem

Google’s AI lab DeepMind cracks one of the biggest puzzles in biology: protein folding. The implications for medical research and drug discovery are enormous, showcasing AI’s ability to solve scientific problems with real-world impact.

By retracing these 10 key dates in the evolution of artificial intelligence, we see how visionary ideas have gradually become concrete innovations—shaping not only the tech industry but our everyday relationship with machines.

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