A superintelligence, hyperintelligence or superhuman intelligence is a hypothetical entity which possesses intelligence surpassing that of any existing human being. "Superintelligence" may also refer to the specific form or degree of intelligence possessed by such an entity. The highest ranges of Intelligence are evaluative. The possibility of superhuman intelligence is most frequently discussed in the context of artificial intelligence. Increasing natural intelligence through genetic engineering or brain-computer interfacing is also a common motif in futurology and science fiction. Collective intelligence is also often regarded as a pathway to superintelligence or even as an existing realization of the phenomenon.
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Superintelligence is defined as intellect that is much smarter than the best human brains in practically every field, including scientific creativity, general wisdom and social skills.[1] It is not defined whether superintelligence could be achieved by biological, technical or hybrid means, mixing both. The definition also doesn't say whether superintelligence needs self-consciousness or experience-driven perception.
The transhumanist movement distinguishes between “weak” and “strong” superintelligence. The weak superintelligence operates on the level of human brains, but much faster. The strong superintelligence operates on a superior level, such as a human brain is considered to be qualitatively superior to that of a dog's.[2]
In press or colloquial language, intellectual gifted people or the so-called savants are called superintelligent. Furthermore, clever search algorithms or the Semantic Web are sometimes considered to be superintelligent. While these outstanding people or machines have an advantage over an average human brain, they don't qualify as superintelligence, as they don't have superior abilities in cognition or creativity. Also the scientific community is heterogeneous and not a singular entity and cannot be called a superintelligence.
There are no serious ongoing projects which aim at creating superintelligence. In Transhumanism, different currents disagree on the way to create a superintelligence. Roughly, three different paths are outlined:
Philosophical, cultural and ethical implications of superintelligence are fervidly discussed inside and outside of the transhumanist movement. There are several forms of critique on the aim to build a superintelligence.
Skeptics doubt that superintelligence is possible. The processes inside a brain were too complex to figure out and then simulate in a technical device. The merge of human synapses with electronic devices is considered problematic, since the first is a slow, but living organism and the second a fast, but rigid system. Advocates of transhumanism say that the function of a brain is not so complex that it could never be understood. Furthermore, artificial intelligence isn't limited to simulate organic brains.
Other critics call it hubris to enhance humans. Especially genetic enhancements are outlawed as eugenics. There is also fear that superintelligent beings will not benefit mankind, but lead to its demise. Even as advocates claim that a superintelligence is by definition of better nature as ordinary humans, there are no guarantees that a malevolent intelligence can't be a product of trying to create a superintelligence. It should also be mentioned that sometimes the opinions of two parties clash without one of them being "malevolent".
Another argument against enhancement is resentment towards being dependent on cybernetic implants, enhancing drugs etc. Transhumanists argue that an enhanced avantgarde will leave behind those who refuse to upgrade. Critics argue that in conclusion the rich elite will purchase brains with higher capacity to suppress the lower social tiers. Such a process is already visible today in society: Higher social tiers achieve higher degrees of education since they can more easily afford it.