Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is a theoretical form of AI that possesses the ability to understand, learn, and perform any intellectual task that a human being can. It aims to replicate human cognitive abilities in machines, enabling them to generalize knowledge, transfer skills across domains, and solve novel problems without task-specific reprogramming. Unlike narrow AI (ANI), which excels at specific tasks, AGI would be capable of autonomous self-control, self-understanding, and continuous learning of new skills. The creation of AGI is a stated goal of many AI technology companies, including OpenAI, Google, xAI, and Meta.
While AGI does not currently exist, it has been a topic of active research and debate since the earliest days of AI. Frameworks for defining AGI include passing the Turing Test (convincing humans that the AI is also human), exhibiting consciousness, or demonstrating human-level performance across various cognitive tasks. Some experts predict that AGI systems with early AGI traits may emerge within the next few years, while others believe it is still decades away or may never be fully realized. The development of AGI raises ethical and safety concerns, including the potential for loss of human control, misaligned goals, and existential risks. Researchers are working on responsible development practices and safety regulations to ensure AGI systems align with human values.