Artificial Intelligence, artificial intelligence or AI?

Written By Joseph Priest

For as much as this topic in the news, there is still confusion on how and when to write it. See if you know, based on Associated Press style.

What's the correct way to write this word on first reference in text, and then for all references to it after that, according to AP style?

  1. Artificial Intelligence; AI

  2. artificial intelligence; AI

  3. AI only.

  4. Options 1 and 2 both correct.

And the correct answer is option two, “artificial intelligence; AI.” Associated Press style still mandates that “artificial intelligence” be written out on first reference before the abbreviation is used. But with the prevalence of this abbreviation in the news today, this style requirement seems to be at risk of becoming downright old-fashioned.

Also, “artificial intelligence” is not properly capitalized, although many people can be led to mistakenly think that because an initialism, like "PC," is written with capital letters, the spelled-out term should be as well. In the case of "PC," or "personal computer," it is not.

Joseph Priest
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