What field of study focuses on systems that enable machines to perform tasks requiring human intelligence?

The field of study that focuses on systems enabling machines to perform tasks requiring human intelligence is Artificial Intelligence (AI). This discipline is centered around creating algorithms and models that allow machines to simulate cognitive functions like learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding.

AI encompasses various techniques that enable machines to process data and make decisions or predictions based on that data, much like a human would. This involves areas such as machine learning, natural language processing, and neural networks, which are all integral to developing intelligent systems capable of performing complex tasks without explicit programming for each scenario.

In contrast, robotics primarily involves the design and construction of robots, which may utilize AI but is not exclusively focused on intelligent behavior. Mechanical engineering is concerned with the design and manufacture of mechanical systems and components, while data science deals with analyzing and interpreting complex data sets, often using techniques from AI but lacking the singular focus on simulating human intelligence.