Book excerpt: The term "artificial intelligence" was introduced in 1956. Today's AI is accomplishing the original goal of mirroring human thought processes; it's designed to independently adapt to and learn from new data. AI involves programming machines and robots to automatically complete complicated tasks. The opportunities to simplify and enhance daily life that these machines offer could make them instrumental in advancing the development of humankind. However, concerns about what can be accomplished through robotics, the extent to which humans can control sophisticated AI, and the impact robots and AI will have on labor, warfare, and health must also be considered. This volume presents thoughtful, well-researched essays that help readers analyze this topic and develop their own intelligent viewpoints.