AI: Automated Intelligence

The term "Artificial Intelligence" has become ubiquitous, but as our understanding of this technology evolves, so too should our language. I propose a shift in terminology, reframing AI as "Automated Intelligence" — a term that I believe more accurately reflects its fundamental nature and application. This distinction hinges on the difference between artificial and automated intelligence. Artificial intelligence strives to create a synthetic form of intelligence, while automated intelligence focuses on programmatically applying existing intelligence—whether biological or silicon-based—to problems.

What's Wrong With Artificial?

• A Distinction without Difference: The outputs of advanced AI systems are indistinguishable from human-generated content, rendering the "artificial" distinction increasingly irrelevant.

• Functional Focus: "Automated" emphasizes the core function of these systems: automating intelligent tasks. We are not creating new intelligence, but rather directing existing intelligence through algorithmic "pipes" towards desired outcomes.

• Eliminating the Alien: "Artificial" carries connotations of something fake or unnatural. "Automated" avoids this, highlighting the application of real intelligence through automated means.

• Application Accuracy: Most current AI applications automate cognitive tasks that humans could perform, but choose to offload. This is fundamentally about automation, not the creation of artificial entities. It is about embedding intelligence in algorithms, enhancing their ability to solve complex problems.

Benefits of Reframing

Adopting the term "Automated Intelligence" could offer several benefits:

• Enhanced Public Understanding: Demystifying AI by reducing misconceptions and anxieties surrounding "artificial" beings.

• Targeted Development: Focusing developers on automating specific intelligent functions rather than attempting to replicate human intelligence in its entirety.

• Refined Ethical Discourse: Shifting ethical discussions from abstract concerns about artificial beings to concrete issues of automated decision-making.

• Integration-Centric View: Encouraging the perspective of AI as a tool for augmenting human intelligence, not replacing it.

Forward Looking Statements

As this field progresses, our terminology should evolve to reflect our creations accurately. "Automated Intelligence" encapsulates the essence of AI: using technology to automate intelligent processes. This reframing could lead to clearer communication, more focused development, and smoother integration of these technologies into our lives and work.

The future lies in effectively deploying our intelligence, regardless of its origin, to address our most pressing challenges. It's time our language reflected this reality.