Bill Gates, the iconic co-founder of Microsoft, has unleashed a storm of debates around the world of artificial intelligence (AI) with his blunt statements. The tycoon provided his controversial and challenging definition of what AI really represents and in contrast to the expected artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Gates, known for his futuristic vision and influence on the technology industry, raises a crucial technical distinction. According to him, Artificial intelligence refers to models designed to address specific problems or provide specific services. Notable examples of this are systems like ChatGPT, which are focused on improving your ability to engage in conversations, but lack the versatility to learn other tasks.
On the other hand, the concept of artificial general intelligence (AGI) is the real long-term goal. AGI represents software that can learn practically any task or field, assimilating knowledge and adapting autonomously.
a chimera
Bill Gates points out that AGI is still a pipe dream, and there is vigorous debate in the computer industry about how to achieve it and whether it is feasible at all.
For decades, the development of AI and AGI has been the predominant desire in the computer industry. The prevailing question was when computers would surpass humans in areas beyond mathematical calculations. With the emergence of machine learning and the availability of great computing power, sophisticated AIs are already a reality, and their improvement is dizzying.
Gates evokes a parallel between this moment in the evolution of AI and the rise of personal computing. He references a time when the software industry was so small it could fit on a single conference stage. However, today, the technology industry has become a global phenomenon, with a growing focus on AI.