Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a hot topic in recent years, with integration in a variety of industries. AI has been known since the 1950s, but significant technological developments have only occurred in the last few years. The ability of machines to execute tasks that would normally require human intelligence, such as learning, thinking, and problem-solving, is referred to as artificial intelligence.
Narrow AI, General AI, and Super AI are the three stages of AI technology evolution. This article looks at the differences between these three phases of AI and their applications.
Three Phases of AI:
Narrow AI:
Narrow AI, also known as Weak AI or Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), refers to the application of AI technology to perform a specific task or set of tasks. Narrow AI is intended to execute a single function and is not capable of doing activities outside of its assigned area of competence.
This type of AI is commonly seen in mobile phone applications and search engines. Narrow AI can either be reactive or operate with limited memory to achieve these goals. Reactive AI emulates the mind’s capacity to respond to stimuli without previous experience, while Limited Memory AI makes decisions based on historical data.
Examples of Narrow AI:
- Speech and language recognition
- Facial recognition and image recognition
- Searching the internet
- Voice assistants,
- Natural language processing
Advantages of Narrow AI:
- Improved efficiency: Narrow AI can perform tasks faster and more accurately than humans.
- Cost-effective: Narrow AI can perform tasks at a lower cost than human workers.
- Limited scope: Narrow AI is designed to perform specific tasks, which can help to reduce the risk of errors or mistakes.
Limitations of Narrow AI:
- Lack of flexibility: Narrow AI cannot perform tasks outside of its designated area of expertise.
- Limited cognitive abilities: Narrow AI cannot learn new tasks or adapt to new situations.
- Dependence on data: Narrow AI relies on data to perform its tasks, and it cannot perform tasks that require intuition or creativity.
General AI:
General AI, also known as Strong AI or Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), refers to the application of AI technology that can perform any intellectual task that a human can. General AI mimics human behaviour and intelligence to facilitate better problem-solving techniques.
It is said to have more human attributes than Narrow AI. However, researchers have described General AI as lacking development. To create General AI, machines must be conscious and contain a comprehensive set of cognitive abilities, which is currently impossible.
Examples of General AI:
- Robotics
- Autonomous vehicles
- Virtual assistants
Advantages of General AI include:
- Flexibility: General AI can learn new tasks and adapt to new situations.
- Human-like cognitive abilities: General AI can reason, understand language, and solve problems in ways similar to humans.
- Potential for innovation: General AI has the potential to develop new technologies and solve complex problems.
Limitations of General AI include:
- Ethical concerns: General AI raises ethical concerns about its impact on society and the potential for misuse.
- Dependence on data: General AI relies on data to learn and make decisions, and it may not always have access to the right data.
- Complexity: General AI is more complex than Narrow AI, making it more difficult to develop and implement.
Super AI:
Super AI, also known as Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI), refers to the application of AI technology that surpasses human intelligence. Super AI is designed to learn and reason at a level beyond human capacity.
This type of AI can excel at art, math, medicine, science, and sport in a capacity greater than humans. Super AI would also have a better working memory and a quicker ability to analyze data and stimuli. However, engineers are still developing the functionalities of Super AI. Most applications of Super AI currently seem to be theoretical.
Examples of Super AI:
- Advanced robotics
- Advanced scientific research
- Space exploration
Advantages of Super AI include:
- Potential for groundbreaking discoveries: Super AI has the potential to solve complex problems and develop new technologies that are beyond human capacity.
- Increased efficiency: Super AI can perform tasks faster and more accurately than humans.
- Reduced human labor: Super AI can perform tasks that are dangerous or difficult for humans to perform.
Limitations of Super AI include:
- Ethical concerns: Super AI raises ethical concerns about the potential for the technology to surpass human control.
- Unpredictability: Super AI may make decisions that are unpredictable and potentially dangerous.
- Potential for misuse: Super AI may be used for destructive purposes if it falls into the wrong hands.
In conclusion, AI is a broad field that is further divided into various types, including Narrow AI, General AI, and Super AI. While Narrow AI is designed to perform specific tasks, General AI is designed to mimic human-like intelligence, and Super AI is designed to surpass human intelligence. However, despite the progress made in the field, AI still has a long way to go before realizing its full potential.
