What “AGI” means

A simple explanation of artificial general intelligence and why it’s debated.

AGI, or artificial general intelligence, refers to a type of AI that would be able to perform a wide range of tasks at a level comparable to human intelligence. Unlike current systems, which are typically designed for specific purposes, AGI would be more flexible and adaptable.

The concept is often discussed in terms of the future, rather than something that exists today.

Part of the challenge is that there isn’t a single agreed definition. Different people interpret AGI in different ways, which makes it difficult to measure or identify.

So the question becomes: how do we recognise something that hasn’t been clearly defined?