7 Types of Artificial Intelligence
TYPE # 01
Narrow Artificial Intelligence
Narrow AI, also known as artificial narrow intelligence (ANI) or weak Artificial Intelligence, describes AI tools designed to carry out very specific actions or commands. ANI technologies are built to serve and excel in one cognitive capability, and cannot independently learn skills beyond its design. They often utilize machine learning and neural network algorithms to complete these specified tasks.
For instance, natural language processing is a type of narrow Artificial Intelligence because it can recognize and respond to voice commands, but cannot perform other tasks beyond that.
Some examples of narrow AI include image recognition software, self-driving cars and Artificial Intelligence virtual assistants.
Narrow AI
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)
TYPE # 02
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)
Artificial general intelligence (AGI), also called general AI or strong AI, describes AI that can learn, think and perform a wide range of actions similarly to humans. The goal of designing artificial general intelligence is to be able to create machines that are capable of performing multifunctional tasks and act as lifelike, equally-intelligent assistants to humans in everyday life.
Though still a work in progress, the groundwork of artificial general intelligence could be built from technologies such as supercomputers, quantum hardware and generative AI models like Chat-GPT.
Artificial Superintelligence
Reactive Machine AI
TYPE # 03
Artificial Superintelligence
Artificial superintelligence (ASI), or super AI, is the stuff of science fiction. It’s theorized that once AI has reached the general intelligence level, it will soon learn at such a fast rate that its knowledge and capabilities will become stronger than that even of humankind.
ASI would act as the backbone technology of completely self-aware AI and other individualistic robots. Its concept is also what fuels the popular media trope of “AI takeovers.” But at this point, it’s all speculation.
TYPE # 04
Reactive Machine AI
Reactive machines are just that — reactionary. They can respond to immediate requests and tasks, but they aren’t capable of storing memory, learning from past experiences or improving their functionality through experiences. Additionally, reactive machines can only respond to a limited combination of inputs. Reactive machines are the most fundamental type of AI
Limited Memory AI
Theory of Mind AI
TYPE # 05
Limited Memory AI
Limited memory AI can store past data and use that data to make predictions. This means it actively builds its own limited, short-term knowledge base and performs tasks based on that knowledge.
The core of limited memory AI is deep learning, which imitates the function of neurons in the human brain. This allows a machine to absorb data from experiences and “learn” from them, helping it improve the accuracy of its actions over time.
TYPE # 06
Theory of Mind AI
Theory of mind refers to the concept of AI that can perceive and pick up on the emotions of others. The term is borrowed from psychology, describing humans’ ability to read the emotions of others and predict future actions based on that information. Theory of mind hasn’t been fully realized yet, and stands as the next substantial milestone in AI’s development.
Theory of mind could bring plenty of positive changes to the tech world, but it also poses its own risks. Since emotional cues are so nuanced, it would take a long time for AI machines to perfect reading them, and could potentially make big errors while in the learning stage.
Self-Aware AI
TYPE # 07
Self-Aware AI
Self-aware AI describes artificial intelligence that possesses self-awareness. Referred to as the AI point of singularity, self-aware AI is the stage beyond theory of mind and is one of the ultimate goals in AI development. It’s thought that once self-aware AI is reached, AI machines will be beyond our control, because they’ll not only be able to sense the feelings of others, but will have a sense of self as well.