Expert: Chuck Cosby - 10/31/2008

Question
What do I need to know in order to get into AI? (Artificial intelligence)
For example, do I need to learn C++ or php?

AI is an area I would like to get into.

Answer
Use C#.Net from Microsoft.   I suggest you this commercial software development tool becuase it is in the widest possible use.  Don't use some one-off compiler no has ever heard of.  Also, academics and professors are not always in tune with this idea.  but if you ever expect to get a job in the commercial world, you need to be an expert on commercial software platforms.  Also, IBM is another good choice.  Having said that, there may be certain things that only these one-off systems can do in your specialized field.  
Let me give you a little background on what AI is.
AI is based on the ability to communicate with a computer.  The obvious best way is through speech.  It would also be good for computers to be to 'see' as well.  The problem with true conversational speech interaction - human to computer - is enormous.   This problem has not been solved and won't be for at least 5 - 10 years.   What about all the telephone based speech systems that United Airlines and Amtrak and others use?    These are extremely primitive systems that can't really converse with the user even in the most basic sense.  They ask simple questions and expect simple answers.   What is the definition of AI as it relates to conversational speech based interaction?  Of course you can see in the movies and on TV what the expectation is.  The most extreme was the movie AI where the small boy in the film was an 'android' and could be 'loved' by humans.   This kind of thing is centuries in the future if ever.   What we would like to see as a first approximation of AI is a functional conversional system for purchasing products (like airline tickets) in a completely natural conversational fashion as if you were talking to a human.  This may occur in the next 10 years or so.  You might also be able to manipulate other software programs with natural conversation such as Microsoft Office.   This will be the primary practical advantage of AI, the ability to control computers and machines.