Narrow, General, and Superintelligent AI

Why this distinction matters

Public discussion often mixes capabilities that exist today with research goals and future hypotheses. This classification supports more precise discussion.

Narrow AI (ANI)

A system designed or trained for a bounded range of tasks. Translation, recommendation, computer vision, and current generative models fall here. They may be powerful and broadly useful without possessing independent, general understanding.

Artificial general intelligence (AGI)

A proposed system able to learn, reason, and perform effectively across a wide range of intellectual tasks at or beyond human level. There is no single universally accepted definition or decisive test.

Artificial superintelligence (ASI)

A hypothetical system exceeding the best human performance across most cognitive abilities. It remains theoretical and is discussed mainly in research on futures, governance, and safety.

Exercise

1. Choose three current applications and explain why they are narrow AI.
2. Write two criteria you consider necessary for AGI.