In the riveting final episode of Season 2 of Breaking the 20%, Elena is joined by Maria Terzi, a leading figure in the cybersecurity sector. As the episode unfolds, Maria shares insights into her background and the mission of Malloc, an international cybersecurity firm dedicated to protecting mobile devices through the power of artificial intelligence (AI).

Recognized for writing the first algorithm intended for a machine, Ada Lovelace is often celebrated as the world's first computer programmer. Despite her groundbreaking work, she dismissed the notion of AI, believing that machines could only perform tasks they were explicitly programmed to do.

Fast forward a century, in 1943, Walter Pitts and Warren McCulloch made significant strides with their work on neural networks. Their pioneering concepts laid the groundwork for AI, influencing future innovators like Marvin Minsky and setting the stage for the development of more complex AI systems.

In 1950, Alan Turing's seminal paper "Computing Machinery and Intelligence" introduced the Turing Test, a method for determining a machine's ability to exhibit human-like intelligence. Turing's work is often regarded as the cornerstone of AI, sparking debates and research that continue to this day.

The formal inception of AI as an academic discipline is marked by the Dartmouth Workshop in 1956. This event not only introduced the term "Artificial Intelligence" but also brought together brilliant minds to explore the potential of this burgeoning field.

AI in fiction, is often depicted as leading to dystopian futures. This contrasts sharply with the practical applications of AI in the real world. The development of early chatbots like ELIZA, created by Joseph Weizenbaum between 1964 and 1966, made significant impacts on natural language processing and human-computer interaction.

Modern advancements in AI include virtual assistants such as Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. These technologies, predominantly featuring female voices, reflect societal norms and biases in AI development. Privacy concerns, particularly with Amazon's Alexa, emphasize the need for robust security measures in AI-powered devices.

The current AI landscape is driven by large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI's ChatGPT. These models have revolutionized AI capabilities, enabling more sophisticated and human-like interactions. Maria and Elena stress the importance of diversity in AI development teams to prevent biases and ensure equitable access to AI technologies.