Table 1 Comparison of different types of AI.
Type of AI | Definition | Key characteristics | Ethical considerations | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Weak AI | AI systems are designed to perform specific tasks efficiently without general cognitive abilities | Task-specific and goal-oriented; Limited adaptability beyond trained functions | Biases in outputs, limited explainability, and reliance on potentially flawed training datasets | Image recognition systems, recommendation engines, and virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant |
Human-level AI | AI systems that can match human capabilities in intellectual and cognitive tasks | Comparable performance to humans; Reasoning across diverse tasks | Biases in AI decisions, the replacement of human jobs, and the potential erosion of privacy | Discussed in Turing Test scenarios and human-level game-playing AIs like AlphaGo |
Human-like AI | AI systems are designed to mimic human cognitive behaviors, reasoning, and problem-solving skills | Human-like responses and behaviors; Focus on imitation | User manipulation, transparency in AI behavior, and maintaining ethical human-AI interactions | ChatGPT, Siri, Sophia the Robot, and conversational AIs |
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) | AI systems are capable of performing any intellectual task that a human can, with adaptability across domains | Generalized learning and reasoning abilities; Task-agnostic | Misuse, control, and unintended consequences impact human society, requiring frameworks for governance and safety | Hypothetical systems like OpenCog and concepts explored in DeepMind’s research on AGI |
Strong AI | AI that exhibits true understanding, reasoning, and consciousness similar to human beings | Ability to think, understand, and self-reflect, Not just task execution | Machine rights, moral agency, and accountability in decision-making processes | No real-world examples yet; explored in philosophical AI debates (e.g., John Searle’s "Chinese Room Argument") |
Artificial Superintelligence | Hypothetical AI that surpasses human intelligence in all domains, including decision-making and creativity | Exceeds human cognitive abilities; Capable of rapid self-improvement | Loss of human control, unequal power distribution, and existential threats to humanity | Nick Bostrom’s scenarios in Superintelligence; futuristic portrayals in movies like “Her” or "Ex Machina." |
