Exploring the Concept of Higher Intelligence in AI
Written on
Chapter 1: Defining Higher Intelligence
Envision a more advanced species or artificial intelligence.
Like numerous authors, neuroscientists, philosophers, and AI enthusiasts, I often ponder the nature of a superior intelligence. This exploration will not only examine what a higher intelligence might entail but also attempt to clarify our understanding of intelligence itself, a crucial step if we aim to recreate it artificially.
To consider what constitutes a higher intelligence, one must first grasp what intelligence is. If part of intelligence involves our capacity for abstraction (a term itself tricky to define), it follows that a superior intelligence would possess a heightened ability for abstraction or related attributes. However, we remain uncertain about the existence of other intelligent qualities that we have yet to identify (the "unknown unknowns" of intelligence).
Our perspective is limited. We must acknowledge from the outset that we have little idea of our position on the universal intelligence spectrum—or even if such a spectrum exists. Thus, our best course is to compare intelligence across species and within our own kind, approaching this task with humility and a genuine desire for knowledge. Now, let’s dive in.
Learning and Memory
Among our cognitive skills, memory is particularly noteworthy as it is both a vital component of intelligence and inherently limited. While we can recall many things for extended periods, our capacity, speed of learning, and accuracy are often restricted. Let's explore this in more detail:
Memory Capacity
A Higher Intelligence (HI) would remember what it consumed last Thursday (do you?) and could recall events from the past decade, entire books, thousands of face-name pairs, and easily dominate trivia nights or game shows like Jeopardy. It's important to note that part of our intelligence derives from selectively remembering certain information while disregarding the vast majority of our daily encounters. Presumably, a higher intelligence would also filter information but with enhanced capacity and precision.
Learning Rate
Acquiring a language (any language) took you several years, involving repetitive practice and conscious effort. Learning something new typically requires time, often frustratingly lengthening as we age. In contrast, a HI would learn at an astonishing pace—perhaps mastering a language in mere hours or absorbing a book's content in seconds, possibly maintaining this rapid learning throughout its existence.
Enhanced Recall
On the other end of the spectrum lies recall (commonly known as remembering). We sometimes struggle with how long it takes us to remember something and the accuracy with which we retrieve information. For example, if I asked about a movie you recently watched, you might summarize a key scene where two characters meet in an alley, while a HI would recount every detail: the wet pavement, the illuminated windows, the trash cans, and even the rats lurking in the corner. This level of detail would extend to each scene, given that an average film contains around 110 scenes.
Measuring how much information we retain is challenging due to individual differences. For the sake of discussion, consider the number of books an avid reader might consume in a lifetime—approximately 700. From these, we retain only a small fraction, perhaps 1-2% of the information. This accounts for just a couple of books worth of edited and imprecise information. Despite this, we excel compared to other species, yet a HI could likely surpass us in memory capacity, accuracy, and learning speed.
The Biological Framework
Our current physical forms are likely not the pinnacle of universal evolution. One significant area for improvement lies in our lifespan; while 100 years may seem ample, we lack a reference point for comparison. An HI living for 200 years, learning at our rate, would theoretically be twice as intelligent. Furthermore, our biological limitations affect our sensory perceptions.
Environmental Sampling
We often overlook that we operate with a relatively fixed sensory sampling rate. For instance, speech and language occur within a narrow frequency range (~80–300 Hz), and we perceive fluid motion at about 24 frames per second. While technology allows us to see and hear things at a different pace, a HI might possess a variable or higher sampling rate, enabling it to capture stimuli beyond our capabilities.
Speaking of sensory perception, we are also attuned to specific aspects of our environment, ignoring electromagnetic frequencies that are either too high or too low. Our limited hearing range, inability to perceive rapid movements (exceeding 60 frames per second), and failure to directly sense magnetic fields further illustrate these constraints.
Chapter 2: Problem Solving and Intelligence Components
In discussing intelligence, we’ve only scratched the surface. Below is a table summarizing key components of intelligence:
I’ve grouped various intelligent elements under Problem Solving, as this accounts for a significant portion of intelligent behavior. However, determining which problems to solve involves other elements, leading to a circular reasoning that exemplifies why intelligence is more than just the sum of its parts.
A higher capacity in any single component can compound with other elements, each potentially possessing greater capabilities. For instance, an HI with enhanced self-awareness and emotional intelligence could easily manipulate social dynamics to address problems needing resolution. Feel free to mix and match attributes to conceptualize your own speculative HI—this could be particularly useful if you’re writing sci-fi narratives.
The Nature of Higher Intelligence
Much of what we've examined can be viewed as informed speculation based on established scientific principles. However, a HI might exist beyond our comprehension or simply manifest in unconventional ways. For example, an octopus is believed to develop intelligence in a more distributed manner than humans, who largely rely on a centralized brain. Thus, a HI could operate in a fundamentally different way, perhaps even spread across multiple units or elements.
Considering Human Existence
No exploration of higher intelligence is complete without addressing the classic sci-fi question: What would our fate be if we encountered a HI? Would they subjugate us, assist us, keep us as pets, or simply ignore our existence? The possibilities are endless. Personally, I remain optimistic.
One of the most intelligent individuals I've ever met—a Scottish man who spoke six languages, managed a multinational business, and lived in a castle—offered me hospitality despite my scruffy appearance from months of backpacking. Rather than dismissing me, he provided me with a beer from his cellar and engaged in thoughtful conversation about the potential of the internet years before its impact was felt. He was both immensely humble and curious, which gives me hope that with higher intelligence may come higher moral standards.
Conclusion
Intelligence transcends the simple accumulation of capabilities. Discussing higher intelligence necessitates a deeper understanding of what intelligence is, a concept we have yet to fully grasp.
One straightforward way to visualize a higher intelligence is to increase metrics related to our known intelligent components. However, the more challenging task is to envision entirely new attributes or combinations thereof. A HI might also employ different architectures and functions to achieve equal or greater intelligence, drawing inspiration from various species.
The outcome of creating or encountering such intelligence remains uncertain, but it’s reasonable to argue—though not guaranteed—that higher intelligence may accompany elevated moral standards.
Thanks for reading.
The first video, "Poldoore - A Higher Intelligence," explores the themes of advanced intelligence and its implications.
The second video, "A Higher Intelligence," delves into the characteristics and potential of superior cognitive capabilities.