Redefining Intelligence: The Call for a New Scientific Field
As the domain of artificial intelligence (#AI ) continues to grow and evolve, I would assume our understanding of intelligence also grows. But, as I look throughout the AI community, from ChatGPT to the most sophisticated #AGI research, I notice that there is little to no understanding of the nature of intelligence.
Traditional perspectives, while having served us well thus far, may not be sufficient as we delve deeper into the mysteries of cognition and thinking. If we want to achieve AGI, we need to develop a scientific definition of ‘intelligence’, not continue to add more horsepower to systems like GPT.
The term 'intelligence' has been defined and redefined through various lenses, from psychology to computer science. Yet, these definitions have often been narrow, closely tied to the field in which they were coined. As we push forward in our quest to understand and replicate intelligence, it's becoming increasingly clear that these interpretations might be inadequate.
In my upcoming book, "The Science of Intelligence," I propose a radical shift in our understanding of intelligence. Instead of viewing it as a property of organisms or machines, I argue that we should view it as a fundamental process within our physical universe.
Let's consider the universe as a colossal library of information. Each book in this library represents a specific configuration of particles. You, me, the device you're reading this on, the planets, stars, and even distant galaxies, are specific arrangements of particles - unique books within this universal library. Intelligence, then, could be seen as the process by which these books are rearranged or rewritten to achieve specific goals.
From this perspective, intelligence is not restricted to brains or computer systems. It becomes a fundamental process of reordering the universe. When we speak, write, build, or even think, we're shifting the configuration of particles in our corner of the universe to align with our goals. This universal view of intelligence isn't bound by the confines of earth or specific cognitive architectures. It applies to any life form capable of interacting with and changing its environment.
By reconceptualizing intelligence in this way, we open the door to a new scientific field: the Science of Intelligence. This isn't just about rebranding existing research; it's about creating a standalone discipline that studies intelligence as a universal phenomenon intricately woven into the very fabric of space-time. This new discipline could revolutionize our approach to artificial general intelligence (AGI), moving us away from merely mimicking human intelligence and towards leveraging the universal principles of goal achievement.
The science of intelligence, then, wouldn't be limited to studying human cognition or artificial neural networks. It would investigate how intelligence manifests in all forms, from the smallest organisms on Earth to potential extraterrestrial life forms. It would look at intelligence as a force that constantly strives to prevent the universe from rushing towards maximum entropy.
In proposing this, I understand that I am asking for a considerable paradigm shift. But let’s be honest, after almost 70 years of research since John McCarthy organized the first AI conference at Dartmouth College, have we taken a single inch closer to actual thinking machines? Every time I ask scientists why this is so, I get the most confusing answers. We haven’t defined AGI (not intelligence, but AGI), we don’t have enough computer power, we’re still evolving LLMs, we don’t understand our own brains, etc. Not a single answer I have heard is in regards to understanding the nature of intelligence.
In my book, beyond sharing my research titled ‘Theory of General Intelligence’, I also take a very critical look at the engineering-focused world of AI and AGI research.
It is these shifts that have historically led to our greatest scientific breakthroughs. By framing intelligence within the universal laws of physics, we grant ourselves a more profound and expansive perspective, one that transcends traditional boundaries and paves the way for unimaginable possibilities in AGI development.
It's time to embrace this shift, to challenge our established notions, and to carve out a new field dedicated to understanding intelligence from this fresh perspective. A science of intelligence promises not just a deeper comprehension of consciousness and cognition, but a roadmap that guides us towards the creation of truly intelligent systems.
I’m very excited to share my research with the world. Through my book I will take you through a journey through the cosmos from the perspective of intelligence, how it links to moral, ethics, economics, AGI, and societies.
If you are in Portland, OR and want to participate in the book launch event in mid-August, sign up for the GEA newsletter and we’ll make sure you know the details once we button everything down.