Artificial Intelligence feels like a modern invention, but its roots stretch far deeper than most people think. From ancient robots to groundbreaking computer programs, the journey of AI is packed with surprising moments. But what was the first real use of AI in history? Let’s break it down in a simple, engaging way.
What Is Considered the First Use of AI?
Before jumping to the actual first AI program, it’s important to define what AI means historically. Today, AI means machines that can learn, think, or solve complex tasks. But decades ago, AI simply meant machines doing tasks that seemed “intelligent.”
So when we ask for the “first use,” we’re looking for:
- The earliest example of a machine showing intelligent behavior
- A system designed to mimic human thinking or reasoning
- A program capable of solving problems on its own
By these standards, the real first use of AI did not happen thousands of years ago—it happened in the 1950s.
The Birth of AI Concepts Before Computers
Although the actual first AI happened in the 1950s, the idea of intelligent machines is ancient.
Ancient Automata
Thousands of years before computers, humans tried to build self-moving machines:
- Greek automata: statues that moved using gears and steam
- Egyptian temple machines: doors that opened automatically
- Chinese mechanical birds: early robotic inventions
None of these were “AI,” but they showed the dream of creating machines that act on their own.
The Idea of Mechanical Intelligence
Even philosophers imagined intelligent machines:
- Aristotle created the first ideas of logic
- Ramon Llull (13th century) built a machine that tried to “think” using logic wheels
- Descartes wondered if mechanical bodies could imitate human behavior
These were seeds that eventually led to modern AI.
The Real Beginning: 1950s AI Revolution
Now we enter the era where real AI begins.
Alan Turing and the Turing Test
In 1950, Alan Turing proposed a powerful idea:
If a machine can have a conversation that humans think is real, it can be considered intelligent.
This became known as the Turing Test and set the direction for future AI research.
The First AI Program Ever Created
The true first use of AI didn’t come from Turing himself—it came from three researchers:
- Allen Newell
- Herbert A. Simon
- J.C. Shaw
Together, they created the world’s first AI program in 1955–56.
The Logic Theorist: The True First Use of AI
Let’s talk about the star of early AI history.
Who Created It?
The program was developed at RAND Corporation by:
- Allen Newell – A researcher in human problem-solving
- Herbert A. Simon – A Nobel Prize-winning economist
- J.C. Shaw – A computer programmer
Together, they built something revolutionary.
What Did Logic Theorist Do?
Logic Theorist was the first program that could:
- Solve math problems
- Prove logical theorems
- Make decisions like a human thinker
- Use reasoning instead of simple calculations
It solved 38 out of 52 theorems from Whitehead and Russell’s book Principia Mathematica, and shockingly, one solution was better than the human-written one.
Why Logic Theorist Was Revolutionary
This was the first time in history that a machine:
- Used reasoning
- Improved on human solutions
- Solved complex problems independently
This is why Logic Theorist is widely accepted as the first true use of artificial intelligence.
Other Early AI Milestones
After Logic Theorist, AI research exploded.
IBM’s Checkers Program (1952)
Although it came earlier, this program only played a game—it didn’t “reason.” But it was:
- The first program to learn strategies
- A major step toward game-based AI like chess engines
ELIZA (1966)
ELIZA was the world’s first chatbot.
It could:
- Talk to people
- Understand patterns in text
- Mimic a therapist
It wasn’t truly intelligent, but it proved machines could interact with humans.
Why the First AI Use Matters Today
Foundation for Modern AI
Every AI system today—chatbots, recommendation systems, self-driving cars—owes its existence to early pioneers.
Logic Theorist planted the seed for:
- Machine learning
- Expert systems
- Cognitive computing
- Generative AI (like the one writing this article)
Evolution from Symbolic AI to Generative AI
The first AI used logic and rules.
Today’s AI uses:
- Deep learning
- Neural networks
- Large language models
But the core idea—machines mimicking human intelligence—remains the same.
Conclusion
The first real use of artificial intelligence in history happened in 1955–1956 with the creation of Logic Theorist, a program that could solve and prove mathematical theorems like a human. It marked the beginning of AI as we know it.
From ancient automata to modern generative AI, the dream of creating intelligent machines has evolved dramatically—and it all started with that groundbreaking program.
