AI and Nine Forms of Intelligence
Alex Moltzau
EU AI Policy | European AI Office of the European Commission | Visiting Policy Fellow at University of Cambridge
What Does the ‘Intelligent’ in AI Contain or Lack
A friend sent me a framework for different types of intelligence. A theory of multiple intelligences. I found it interesting to read and discuss these points. Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences was released in 1983 by Howard Gardner. He is currently the senior director of Harvard Project Zero, and since 1995, he has been the co-director of The Good Project. He has written hundreds of articles and thirty books.
The theory I will outline is his most famous theory. It may reduce his theory to shorten it in this manner, yet I will do my best. As such this is reciting information followed by a short reflection.
It must be said that Gardner does not support labelling learners to a specific intelligence. The following theory should ‘empower’ not restrict
A theory of multiple intelligences
According to Gardner, an intelligence is “a biopsychological potential to process information that can be activated in a cultural setting to solve problems or create products that are of value in a culture.”
- Musical-rhythmic. This area has to do with sensitivity to sounds, rhythms, tones, and music.
- Visual-spatial. This area deals with spatial judgment and the ability to visualize with the mind’s eye.
- Verbal-linguistic. People with high verbal-linguistic intelligence display a facility with words and languages.
- Logical-mathematical. This area has to do with logic, abstractions, reasoning, numbers and critical thinking.
- Bodily-kinesthetic. The core elements of the bodily-kinesthetic intelligence are control of one’s bodily motions and the capacity to handle objects skillfully.
- Interpersonal. In theory, individuals who have high interpersonal intelligence are characterized by their sensitivity to others’ moods, feelings, temperaments, motivations, and their ability to cooperate in order to work as part of a group
- Intrapersonal. This area has to do with introspective and self-reflective capacities. Being able to predict one’s own reactions and emotions.
- Naturalistic. More recently added (1995) this area has to do with nurturing and relating information to one’s natural surroundings. Deeply rooted in a sensitive, ethical and holistic understanding as well as the role of humanity in the greater ecosphere.
- Existential. Later added in (1999) Gardner suggested that an “existential” intelligence may be a useful construct.
Short reflection
An immediate reaction made me think of RITMO a research group at the University of Oslo, they study:
…to reveal the basic cognitive mechanism(s) underlying human rhythm, using music, motion and audiovisual media as empirical points of departure.
It is highly interdisciplinary, combining methods from musicology, psychology and informatics. A presentation that was made earlier this year showed that they through this interdisciplinary work had improved their robotics work drastically. Previously I wrote about algorithms enhancing or replacing musicians (AI-assisted or AI-created music).
My key takeaway is the lens from which to see intelligence should not be pigeonholed to simply reason or logic. There is more to intelligence.
During the launch of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence recently there was additionally a video about the tech environment at Stanford. How new creations had been made in an artistic and creative environment combining different sorts of people from different backgrounds.
- We have to embrace not the maths and numbers alongside a broader view on what it means to be human. Artificial intelligence is in one way a vain pursuit of what we are — Narcissus. He who was lured to a pool where he leaned upon the water and saw himself in the bloom of youth. Narcissus did not realize it was merely his own reflection and fell deeply in love with it.
- In the pursuit of that which is beyond ourselves we have to remember the diversity of what we are and what intelligence is. This progress in artificial neural networks have enabled us to see in a different way, yet we must look beyond the reflection. The sound, visual, words, numbers, movement, love, reflexivity, ecosphere and existential capabilities that some humans have and share.
The constructed boundaries are certainly blurring.
There is so much more to intelligence.
Indeed, what do you believe intelligence to be?
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This is day 24 of #500daysofAI, I hope you enjoyed it.
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