Final answer:
Artificial intelligence systems are successful in various sectors like autonomous vehicles and as personal assistants. They raise ethical and societal concerns, and there is a call for their safe, sustainable, and responsible use.
Step-by-step explanation:
Artificial intelligence (AI) systems have been one of the most successful AI-related technologies. We can effectively define artificial intelligence as the simulation of human intelligence by machines programmed to mimic human thought and actions. AI is widely used in leading industries, including self-driving cars, which reflect the rapid advancement in the development of reactive machines, and virtual butlers like Apple's Siri that showcase advancements in limited memory AI. Although often considered beneficial, there is an ongoing spectrum of thought concerning the ethics and governance of artificial intelligence. Critics like John Searle and Nick Bostrom express concerns regarding potential threats that AI poses to societal values and human safety.
Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence within complex automated systems raises pertinent questions around legal transparency and whether AI is harmful or helpful to society. In robotics, we see a tangible example of AI with machines designed to perform tasks like autonomous vacuum cleaners. Despite its successes, there remains a critical need to ensure that artificial intelligence is used safely, sustainably, and responsibly, as advocated by thinkers like Genevieve Bell.