Open Autonomous Intelligence Initiative

The terms “artificial intelligence” and “autonomous intelligence” both describe facets of computer science dealing with creating systems capable of performing tasks that would typically require human intelligence. However, their prefixes and the connotations of these terms shape different perspectives on how such systems operate and are perceived.

Etymology and Definitions

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial: Comr from a Latin word that means ‘made by art’, artificial suggests something made by humans, not occurring naturally. It emphasizes creation and imitation. Intelligence is derived from a Latin word that means understanding or the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. Combining these, Artificial Intelligence refers to human-made systems that mimic human cognitive functions such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving.

Autonomous Intelligence

Autonomous: Comes from Greek words meaning self and law, suggesting self-governance or functioning independently without direct human control or intervention. Autonomous intelligence describes systems that operate independently, making decisions and performing tasks without human input after initial programming.

Artificial or Autonomous Intelligence?

Artificial often evokes the concept of systems that simulate human intelligence through computation, primarily focusing on the aspect of human-like reasoning and problem-solving. Autonomous underscores the capability of systems to operate independently in their environment, emphasizing decision-making autonomy and adaptive learning.

Artificial Intelligence can sometimes suggest a narrower focus on cognitive mimicry, often limited to specific tasks (narrow AI) or theoretical all-encompassing capabilities (general AI). Autonomous Intelligence by contrast, broadens the focus to include the self-regulating aspect of intelligence, which is crucial for applications in fields like robotics, autonomous vehicles, and systems that must operate in dynamic, unpredictable environments.

Using AI to mean artificial Intelligence can sometimes lead to misunderstandings about the capabilities and limitations of the technology, potentially inflating expectations or fears about machines that think and act like humans. Autonomous Intelligence more accurately describes the technology’s operational scope—operating under predefined constraints autonomously rather than mimicking human thought processes. This distinction can help in formulating clearer ethical guidelines and realistic expectations about the technology’s role in society.

The development focus of Artificial Intelligence is often on creating algorithms that learn from and respond to human input or datasets reflecting human knowledge. Autonomous Intelligence suggests a focus on creating systems that can autonomously adapt to new situations, which is increasingly important in environments where human oversight is limited or impractical.

In conclusion, while “artificial intelligence” is a well-established term with broad recognition, “autonomous intelligence” more appropriately captures the essence of systems designed to function independently and adaptively. This makes it suitable, especially in contexts where independence from human operator input is crucial. It also aligns better with current technological trends and applications in various industries.