Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a pivotal tool for businesses across industry sectors, offering unparalleled efficiency gains. However, as organisations adapt to existing AI solutions, researchers are developing the next evolution of AI technologies – known as Artificial General Intelligence. Where does this trajectory lead us?
Many experts predict that there will be a tipping point, where we reach a technological singularity. This concept denotes the moment when computers become smarter than humans, presenting both vast opportunities and profound risks for society. This is when we achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), a term popularised by Dr. Ben Goertzel. Unlike today’s narrow AI, AGI will have the ability to extrapolate knowledge from one domain and apply it to others.
The emergence of Artificial General Intelligence promises to be transformative, not only for enterprises but also for society at large. If we truly consider the wide ranging applications of AGI, it has the potential to be one of the best things that has ever happened to humanity.
However, before this vision can materialise, organisations need to prepare themselves for the next stage of the technology revolution, so they can reap the rewards it will provide. From radically new personalised products, cost and time efficiencies to innovation previously unthought of, the impact of this new stage of AI will be undeniable.
“The first ultra-intelligent machine is the last invention that man need ever make.” (Irving John Good, 1965)
AGI: where are we now?
As researchers continue to advance the field of AI, AGI has emerged as an inevitable progression of AI research. Currently, scientists are exploring different methods to develop AGI.
One approach focuses on the cognitive level, analysing how human brain networks function and then emulating these processes from a technological perspective. Another approach, at the brain level, where scientists create a complex, self-organising nonlinear dynamical network based on our understanding of the human brain and testing their responses to different stimuli.
As different teams around the world work on different models, experts learn more and more about the possibilities of AGI. For example, at SingularityNET we have pioneered the development of the neural-symbolic Language Learning Model (LLM) Zarqa, surpassing conventional LLMs, such as Chat-GPT. This is just a taste of what is to come as AGI comes closer, the potential is sky-high.
Every enterprise vertical will see different offerings arising which could solve all manner of business problems. However, it’s important to be aware that by the time we see these benefits become more tangible, the chance to reap the benefits of AGI will have already passed.
Business leaders must be prepared to harness the transformative power of AGI. Just knowing the fundamentals of how AGI could impact their business, such as making recommendations on business direction, puts organisations in a better position for when AGI arrives on the market. In the run up to AGI, many smaller advancements will emerge from AGI R&D which can be harnessed for ever increasing efficiency and automation power.
So why isn’t AGI all around us?
The reason we haven’t achieved AGI yet is simple: time. While experts predict its arrival in just a few years, researchers are confident it’s a matter of ‘if’, not ‘when’. Therefore, it’s more productive for commentators and businesses to focus on, and prepare for, what they will do when it happens.
Although AGI development is underway globally, many organisations remain unaware of it. This lack of awareness can be attributed to two primary factors. Firstly, much of the AGI landscape is still ‘under construction’, with limited discussion in certain markets. Secondly, bridging the gap between this advanced technology and its practical application in business remains a challenge for many organisations.
This missing piece is the current gap that businesses need to identify and plug at speed. More education around these tools, demystifying the benefits of them, will help to circumvent this so we are ready when AGI is truly achieved.
Once more organisations become aware of the power of AGI, we will see technology and business leaders able to onboard AGI and proto-AGI, and see gains including, but not limited to, product development recommendations and innovative business proposals.
Industry transformation power brought to life
If developed and utilised ethically, AGI will be able to create a positive, beneficial, benevolent future for humankind. This underscores the significant advantages of integrating AGI alongside humans within organisations. Take Rejuve.AI, for example, where AI is already contributing to extending human lifespan. When AGI will be sufficiently advanced to join this mission, the results could be life-changing for everyone on the planet.
Organisations only need to look at this through the lens of their current business hold-ups to see how this could affect them. The concept of a technology being able to liberate humanity from the need to carry out repetitive labour is incredibly appealing. Employees who have had the most basic parts of their jobs removed, will feel much more fulfilled and able to do other parts of their role to a much higher standard.
The flip side here is the chance that a competitor organisation harnesses AGI first, offering this to staff before the organisation has time to catch-up and a workforce leaves to the businesses with the better offer. This underscores the urgency for enterprises to prioritise AGI education and readiness so they are primed and ready to be the first to realise the benefits.
In essence, AGI is around the corner, aiming to revolutionise entire industries. While implementation challenges may arise, the development of AGI has potential to be unimaginably positive for the world if developed in the right hands.
For organisations, the imperative lies in understanding the potential impact of AGI on their business. Being prepared and well-informed on the power of AGI will be the key to harnessing the benefits and making the most of this revolutionary development before competitors.
Share
