Fact Check Team: What’s the difference between artificial intelligence & superintelligence

by MORGAN STEPHENS | Fact Check Team

WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump wants the federal government to use a different name for artificial intelligence, arguing that the word “artificial” makes the technology sound fake. But the proposed terminology change raises a question: Does “superintelligence” mean the same thing as artificial intelligence?

Not in established technical usage.

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is a broad term for computer systems designed to perform tasks associated with human intelligence. Those tasks include generating text, recognizing images, answering questions and analyzing information.

Superintelligence, by contrast, generally refers to a hypothetical level of machine intelligence that would vastly exceed human cognitive abilities across virtually all domains.

The distinction matters because the capabilities of today's AI systems are not the same as the theoretical capabilities associated with superintelligence.

What is artificial intelligence?

AI encompasses a wide range of technologies, from systems that recommend videos and recognize speech to generative AI tools that produce text, images and computer code.

Some AI systems can outperform humans at specific tasks. But excelling at an individual task does not necessarily mean a system possesses intelligence that surpasses human capabilities across the board.

AI is the umbrella term for these technologies, regardless of whether a particular system is narrowly specialized or capable of handling a variety of tasks.

The term has a more specific meaning in academic and technology discussions.

In his 2014 book *Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies*, philosopher Nick Bostrom explored the possibility of machines developing intellectual capabilities that substantially exceed those of humans.

Under this definition, superintelligence would not simply mean an AI tool that writes convincingly, answers complicated questions or performs a particular task better than a person. It would mean a machine intellect capable of surpassing human cognitive performance across a broad range of fields.

Such a system remains a hypothetical concept. The fact that AI technology is advancing does not establish that today's systems have reached this threshold.

Why does Trump want to change the name?

Trump has argued that the word “artificial” makes AI sound fake and has promoted “superintelligence” as an alternative.

The distinction is between the administration's preferred terminology and the established technical meaning of the word.

In the context of artificial intelligence, “artificial” refers to intelligence produced by a machine rather than a biological brain. It does not mean the technology or its capabilities are fake.

Using “superintelligence” as a replacement label does not, by itself, demonstrate that AI systems have achieved the level of intellectual capability associated with the term.

Does changing the name change the technology?

No. A change in terminology does not automatically change what a system can do.

AI systems can become more capable as researchers develop new models and methods. But determining whether a system qualifies as superintelligent requires examining its actual capabilities, not simply the label applied to it.

The distinction: Artificial intelligence is the broad category of technology. Superintelligence generally describes a hypothetical level of machine intelligence that vastly exceeds human abilities across virtually all domains.

The two terms are related, but they are not interchangeable under their established technical meanings.