Rethinking Intelligence in the Age of AI

Nowadays, the global interest in technological progress is largely dominated by artificial intelligence (AI). For some, it represents the 'Holy Grail' of human ingenuity, while for others, it might be the seed of our ruin.

In the whirlwind of news, debates, and conflicting opinions—ranging from utopian to dystopian visions—the past of these technologies, always projected towards the future, is often overlooked. The general consensus is that the conversation around AI began in 1950, following the publication of Alan Turing's groundbreaking article, 'Computing Machinery and Intelligence.' In this paper, Turing proposed what would later become known as the Turing Test, stating that a machine could be deemed intelligent if its behavior, observed by a human, was indistinguishable from that of another person.

These machines operate based on precise, algorithmic rules and can perform complex calculations in fractions of a second. According to this paradigm, even 'Eliza,' a primitive natural language processing computer developed by Joseph Weizenbaum in 1964, could be considered an AI. Eliza could ask basic questions and provide brief responses—a stark contrast to today’s AI technologies like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or image generation tools like Midjourney, which offer more sophisticated and human-like interactions.

AI advancements are rooted in their training on massive datasets, often influenced by real-world events and everyday human experiences. This means AI systems are not free from the biases and prejudices of their human creators, leading to unintended consequences. A notable example comes from Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone giant, whose AI-enhanced photo editing software lightens faces in photos due to training on portraits of Asian individuals—reflecting cultural beauty standards that differ dramatically in the West.

At its core, AI can be viewed as a highly sophisticated statistical engine, calculating the most probable solution based on structured data and predefined algorithms. While these systems excel at mathematical intelligence, which is often exponentially more advanced than human capabilities, they fall short in areas that demand empathy, abstraction, and contextual awareness—the hallmarks of true human intelligence.

As AI’s functionality depends on precise data, it faces limitations when working in uncharted territories where knowledge is scarce. This is where human intelligence shines brightest, thriving in ambiguity and utilizing creativity to solve problems. Historically, it’s in these gray areas—where ordered data doesn’t exist—that humanity’s most groundbreaking advancements have emerged.

Intelligence also involves the ability to navigate changing contexts and solve complex moral and philosophical dilemmas—capacities AI simply doesn’t possess. This deeper understanding of ourselves and the world has inspired countless thinkers, writers, and philosophers to create works of profound beauty and insight.

Given these reflections, it seems increasingly inappropriate to equate the term 'intelligence' with machines that excel primarily at mathematical computation. Instead, we propose a shift in terminology: from 'artificial intelligence' to 'augmented intelligence'—a tool designed to enhance human capabilities in specific domains. This term better reflects the true nature of intelligence, which remains a uniquely human trait, grounded in empathy, logic, and creativity.

Throughout history, technology has always served as a means of improving our well-being through intellectual achievement. However, the ongoing debate between strong AI and weak AI threatens this ancient principle, suggesting that one day we may be ruled by our creations rather than using them to better ourselves. This dystopian notion has no place in the future we should strive to build.

We therefore encourage you to reconsider the AI paradigm. Is the concept of 'artificial intelligence' still valid, or is it precarious and flawed? Today, humanity needs tools that elevate us further—tools of Augmented Intelligence that enhance our abilities, speed, and efficiency, without aspiring to replace the very essence of what makes us human.