When artificial intelligence was created, everyone assumed it would change the world. Well, it has. Just not in the way you might think. There are no robots running around tending to our every need, but there are computers that do our work for us, and which are involved in our day-to-day activities. Where does the future of AI sit? My guess is in the small things.

Artificial intelligence is all around us right now. From the fuel injection systems in our cars, to jet turbines, these things are designed using genetic algorithms, an example of artificial intelligence. Not good enough for you? What about your cell phone? Every call you make or email you send is routed using artificial intelligence. Of course, these are examples of what is called narrow AI, and that is where the technology stands.

So where does that leave things on a grander scale?

Right now, artificial intelligence is sitting at the point the computer industry was at in the 1970s. It’s going to take time to develop what we think of as real artificial intelligence. The key to it all is mapping the human brain. Only then will we have a better understanding of how we can apply intelligence to our machines, since our brains work as one big computer system.

For now, the future of AI rests in the little things we use in our everyday life. From cell phones and computers, to vehicles and home entertainment. The big changes are coming, but they will be gradual. Within 50 years though, artificial intelligence could be more of a reality than you might think, even if it doesn’t look like we’ll ever reach the standards Hollywood has set for us.