Skip to Main Content

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence is a field of research in computer science focused on developing and studying the simulation of human intelligence in machines. These machines are designed to mimic cognitive functions such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving,

Symbolic AI – Siri, Cortana, etc  

Symbolic AI refers to an approach in artificial intelligence that uses symbols and logic to represent knowledge and perform reasoning. 

Many of you may already use a form of Artificial Intelligence without realising it. Symbolic Artificial Intelligence is a subfield of AI that focuses on processing. It’s based on human-readable representations like rules, facts, and logic structures to simulate decision-making and problem-solving. Symbolic AI systems work through rule-based manipulation of symbols, which allows for explicit reasoning and explanation.  

A step-by-step explanation of how symbolic AI; such as Siri, works, is as the following:   

How does Siri work?

  • Voice Activation - When you say ‘Hey Siri’, your device will begin to listen to your voice. 

Diagram of a voice-based system showing data flow from a microphone (orange to highlight start point)

  • Automatic Speech Recognition - Your voice is converted into text using a process called Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR). Siri is then able to recognise the words that you have spoken.

From the microphone, the Automatic Speech recognition has been highlighted as the next step

  • Natural Language Processing Annotation  - The text goes through Natural Language Processing and Siri begins to analyse the words that you are using the determine what you are asking.

From automatic Speech recognition, you are taken to Natural Language Processing (highlighted in orange) as the next step

  • Pattern-Action Mapping - For example, if you ask Siri “What is the weather like today?”, it identifies that the question is about the ‘weather’. Siri then begins to decide where to direct your query.

From natural klanguage processing, the next step is pattern action mapping, highlighted in orange

  • Service Manager - Siri then connects with the internet, and to internal or external API’s (Application Programming Interface’s)to find the information or perform the task. Following on from our weather request, Siri can connect to the ‘Weather’ app, access your chosen location and begin to formulate its response. 

the next step is the service manager, which is highlighted alongside the weather app in orange

  • Response Formulation - Once Siri has gathered the information, it creates a reply. Siri will format the ‘weather’ forecast into a text sentence.

the next step is response formulation, highlighted in orange

  • Text to Speech - Siri uses text-to-speech to turn the sentence into a spoken reply, and this is the voice that you hear when communicating with Siri.  

the next step of text to speech is highlighted in orange

Sometimes Siri will require further clarification with requests, like when sending messages, it will only execute the task after confirming this with you. 

  • What you hear now is Siri's response to your query. 

Speaker icon is the last step, highlighted in orange

Bayliss, E. (2024). Symbolic AI Graphic. [digital illustration]