What is Artificial General intelligence (AGI); Everything you need to know?

ChatGPT… GPT-4…AI, by this time we all are familiar with these terms. But the Technology evolution won't stop here or just go like GPT4, GPT5 etc. There are so many things happening the space of Artificial intelligence.

One Such thing is Artificial General Intelligence. Recently OpenAI, parent of chatGPT announced that they are working on AGI for humanity. But what is Artificial General Intelligence?

In this blog post, we will explore the current state of AGI research and development, the future scenarios of AGI, and how we can ensure that AGI aligns with human values and goals.

What is Artificial General Intelligence?

Artificial general intelligence is a team used to define the concept of development of AI to a level it can almost be capable of human intelligence and able to solve complex problems.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a broad field that encompasses various domains and applications, such as computer vision, natural language processing, machine learning, robotics, and more.

AGI that fictional Super Intelligence system which can match human intelligence. In Normal terms, AGI is also called strong AI, full AI, or general intelligent action. AGI systems are expected to have human-like or superhuman cognitive abilities, such as reasoning, planning, learning, communication, creativity, and problem-solving. AGI systems would be able to perform any task that humans can do, and even tasks that humans cannot do.

Difference Between AI & AGI?

AI systems are trained to perform specific tasks that require some level of intelligence, such as recognizing faces, translating languages, playing games, or diagnosing diseases. However, these systems are not able to generalize their skills and knowledge to other domains or tasks that they were not trained for. This is where artificial general intelligence (AGI) comes in.

Artificial intelligence is an Umbrella containing the science of developing systems and processes which can replicate human intelligence. Its a umbrella containing multiple sub domains specifically built to develop such intelligence systems.

Artificial General Intelligence is more like the system ability to learn by itself, behave like human intelligence. It's an evolved system with help of heavily trained AI over the time.

How can we use AGI for greater Good?

Main aim of AGI concept is not to replace humans or destroy something. The reason for AGI is to take support of technology to replicate human intelligent machines in solving complex problems where in some conditions human need some additional support.

If we are successful in creating practical artificial general intelligence (AGI) solutions, these can be harnessed to accomplish a significant amount of research that surpasses the scope of cognitive functionality in humans, and aid human beings to fix difficult matters such as tackling Climate Change and testing for illnesses.

However, using AGI for greater good also requires addressing some ethical and strategic challenges, such as ensuring that AGI aligns with human values and goals, preventing misuse or abuse of AGI by malicious actors, and managing the social and economic impacts of AGI on society.

AGI could also pose serious risks of misuse, accidents, and disruption, which require careful planning and coordination2 Therefore, developing and deploying AGI systems is a major challenge and opportunity for AI research and development.

So why am I talking about this now….

Current state of AGI research and development:

We have seen how powerful and efficient training models like GPT 3, 3.5 and now the latest one GPT 4 working. But these models are training using a dataset and have limited capabilities as defined by their developers.

But those are not enough to create AGI. AGI research and development is a multidisciplinary field that involves various domains such as prediction, control, learning, reasoning, communication, and ethics

Some of the current approaches and examples of AGI research and development are:

• The symbolic approach: This approach uses logic and rules to represent knowledge and reasoning in AGI systems. Some examples of this approach are Cyc (a large-scale common sense knowledge base), SOAR (a cognitive architecture for general problem-solving), and SHRDLU (a natural language understanding system that can manipulate objects in a virtual world).

• The connectionist approach: This approach uses neural networks and deep learning to model learning and perception in AGI systems. Some examples of this approach are GPT-4 (a large-scale language model that can generate coherent texts on various topics), AlphaZero (a reinforcement learning system that can master chess, go, and shogi without human knowledge), and DALL-E (a generative model that can create images from text descriptions).

• The hybrid approach: This approach combines symbolic and connectionist methods to leverage their strengths and overcome their limitations in AGI systems. Some examples of this approach are Neuro-Symbolic Concept Learner (a system that can learn visual concepts from images and natural language), Neural-Symbolic Machines (a framework that integrates neural networks with logic programming), and Neuro-Symbolic Visual Reasoner (a system that can answer visual questions using neural networks and symbolic reasoning).
• Whole-organism architecture: This approach aims to create AGI systems that mimic the structure and function of the whole human brain or other organisms. Some examples of this approach are OpenCog (a framework that integrates various cognitive components such as perception, memory, learning, reasoning, emotion, action), NARS (a general-purpose reasoning system that can adapt to new environments), and Blue Brain Project (an initiative to build a digital reconstruction of the mammalian brain).

Future of AGI

Imagine a world where smart machines are as clever as humans and can do almost anything we can. This world could be right around the corner, thanks to a technology called Artificial General Intelligence, or AGI for short.

We’ll explore what might happen when AGI is created, discuss some good and bad outcomes, talk about ongoing debates, and consider how we can make sure AGI is helpful and safe for everyone.

What could happen with AGI?

AGI has the potential to lead to some astonishing transformations in the future. These clever machines could develop super intelligence, making them far smarter than us.

We might even combine with these robots as AGI plays a larger role in our lives, resulting in a human-machine hybrid with superhuman skills.

However, if AGI doesn’t share our objectives and beliefs, it could likewise pose a threat. Leading AGI researcher Dr. Ben Goertzel thinks that AGI may bring about “a world of abundance, where people live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.” AGI could assist humanity in finding answers to issues like poverty, sickness, and climate change if it develops superintelligence. However, if AGI doesn’t share information, there’s also a chance that it may become hazardous.

The good and bad of AGI:

There are numerous reasons to be excited about AGI. It may aid in the discovery of answers to major issues such as climate change, sickness, and poverty. It may also make our lives easier by enhancing the way things work in a variety of areas.

However, there are some reservations. AGI could spark a race between countries to develop the most powerful AI, which could be disastrous. People may lose their jobs because robots can perform them, and some fear that AGI will become a threat to mankind if it is not designed to comprehend and care about our values. There are numerous reasons to be excited about AGI.

Ray Kurzweil, for example, expects that AGI would help humanity “overcome age-old problems such as illness, poverty, and even death.” However, there are some reservations. AGI may result in employment losses, and some fear it may even pose a threat to humanity. According to Professor Stephen Hawking, “the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.”

Talking about AGI:
People working on AGI and others who think about the future are debating what should happen next. Some people are concerned about AI safety, which means they want to ensure that AGI is designed to be friendly and helpful rather than destructive. Others are concerned about a competition between countries in which harmful machines are produced too soon.

There are also disagreements on the rules and criteria that should be followed when developing AGI to ensure that it is fair and treats everyone equally.

As OpenAI CEO Sam Altman puts it, “making AGI safe, and driving the broad adoption of such research across the AI community, is our mission.” Another source of concern is the drive between countries to produce harmful technology as rapidly as possible. Furthermore, there are continuous discussions regarding AGI ethics, with experts like Dr. Kate Crawford asking us to address the “social and political implications of AI.”

Making AGI a good thing for everyone:
There are a few suggestions for making AGI useful and safe.

One approach is to develop laws and agreements among countries so that everyone collaborates rather than competes.

Another is to educate people about artificial intelligence and help them comprehend what it can achieve and how it can impact our world.

We may also encourage scientists from other countries to collaborate, exchanging ideas and findings in order to develop AGI that is safe and useful to all. Several suggestions can assist guarantee that AGI benefits everyone.

Dr. Wendell Wallach, an AI ethics expert, advises that worldwide agreements for AGI development be established to eliminate cross-national competition.

Projects that are shaping AGI’s future:
Several groups are working on projects to help ensure AGI is a good thing for humanity. The Partnership on AI is a group of companies, researchers, and organizations that are working together to make sure AI is used for good.

The AI Alignment Forum is a place where scientists and researchers can talk about making AGI safe and friendly.

There’s also the AI for Good Global Summit, a big meeting where people share ideas on how to use AI to make the world a better place. There are various groups working on projects to ensure AGI serves humanity’s best interests.

The Partnership on AI, which includes members like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, aims to “develop and share best practices for AI technologies.” The AI Alignment Forum provides a platform for researchers to discuss AGI safety and alignment with human values. Additionally, the AI for Good Global Summit, organized by the United Nations, brings experts together to explore how AI can contribute to global progress.

Conclusion:
The future of AGI is an enthralling mix of wonder and uncertainty. By learning about it, engaging with expert opinions, and working together, we can help shape AGI into a powerful and positive force in our world. As we venture into this uncharted territory, we have the opportunity to create a future where AGI serves as a trusted companion, elevating humanity to new heights of achievement and well-being.

Resources for Further Learning:

If you’d like to dive deeper into the world of AGI, here are some resources to get you started:

1. Books:

- “Superintelligence” by Nick Bostrom

- “Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” by Max Tegmark

- “Human Compatible: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control” by Stuart Russell

2. Websites:

- OpenAI (https://www.openai.com): A leading AI research organization focusing on AGI and AI safety

- AI Alignment Forum (https://www.alignmentforum.org): An online platform for researchers to share and discuss work on AI alignment and safety

- Future of Life Institute (https://futureoflife.org): A research institute focused on AGI safety and existential risk reduction

3. Online Courses:

- “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence” by Stanford University (available on Coursera)

- “AI for Everyone” by Andrew Ng (available on Coursera)

- “Deep Learning” by Google (available on Udacity)

By staying informed and engaging in discussions about AGI, you become part of the global effort to harness its incredible potential while minimizing its risks. Together, we can shape a future where AGI serves as a force for good, paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable world for all.