Which of the following represents the first AI winter?

The first AI winter is characterized by a period when interest and investment in artificial intelligence research declined significantly due to unmet expectations, limited technological capabilities, and a lack of practical applications. This downturn specifically refers to the period from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s.

During this time, several factors contributed to the cooling of enthusiasm for AI. Early AI programs had not delivered the anticipated results, leading to disappointment among funding bodies and researchers, which resulted in reduced financial support. Many projects that had been previously financed were scaled back or abandoned altogether, reflecting a general skepticism about the viability of AI.

The significance of this period lies in the lessons learned about the importance of setting realistic goals and the need for a better understanding of the complexities involved in replicating human-like reasoning and intelligence in machines. Understanding this context is essential, as it highlights how AI research has evolved in subsequent decades, learning from earlier failures and gradually achieving advancements in technology and applications.