Last September, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated, “Whoever becomes the leader in [artificial intelligence] will become the ruler of the world.” While not everyone finds the Russians completely trustworthy with regard to foreign intelligence, there is no denying that artificial intelligence is the next great frontier in which companies are racing to stake a claim. 

But before anyone plants a flag in the top of Mount AI, it’s important to know what the mountain is. While there is undoubtedly confusion about the meaning of AI, some in the industry may be using the term when really they would be more accurate to use a different term. Amir Shechter, director of advanced solutions, Convergint Technologies, Schaumburg, Ill., says some in the industry hasten to use the latest buzzwords because they sound cool, but are using terminology that is not a true reflection of the products they’re providing. “I think people stretch this concept of AI to areas that are not truly AI,” Shechter believes.