We may deduce it's of first importance in artificial intelligence (1,6)
I believe the answer is:
a priori
'we may deduce' is the definition.
(as in a priori reasoning)
'of first importance in artificial intelligence' is the wordplay.
'of first importance' becomes 'prior' (as in a prior engagement).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'artificial intelligence' becomes 'AI' (synonyms).
'prior' put within 'ai' is 'A PRIORI'.
'it's' is the link.
(Other definitions for a priori that I've seen before include "Deductive, from cause to effect - in Latin" , "Like reasoning from cause to effect" , "deduced logically" , "Presupposed through reasoning" , "'Derived by logic, without observed facts (1,6)'" .)