AGI (Artificial General Intelligence)
A hypothetical AI system capable of performing any intellectual task a human can
What is AGI?
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) refers to a hypothetical AI system that can understand, learn, and apply knowledge across any domain, much like a human being. Today's AI is considered "narrow" because each system is designed for specific tasks. A chess AI cannot write poetry, and a chatbot cannot drive a car. AGI would be a single system capable of doing all of these and more.
Think of it like the difference between a Swiss Army knife and a collection of separate tools. Current AI systems are individual specialized tools, while AGI would be the ultimate Swiss Army knife of intelligence.
How Would It Work?
Researchers disagree on the path to AGI. Some believe scaling current large language models will eventually produce general intelligence. Others argue that entirely new architectures or approaches, such as combining symbolic reasoning with neural networks, are needed. Key challenges include common-sense reasoning, transfer learning across vastly different domains, and building systems that truly understand rather than simply pattern-match.
Why Does It Matter?
AGI is considered one of the most transformative and debated goals in technology. Proponents argue it could solve humanity's greatest challenges, from disease to climate change. Critics warn about safety risks if such a powerful system is not properly aligned with human values. The concept of superintelligence, an AGI that surpasses human-level ability, raises even deeper ethical and existential questions that researchers and policymakers are actively working to address.