What Is Intelligence?

The nature of intelligence

https://conversational-leadership.net/intelligence/

“INTELLIGENCE SPECTRUM

Given this broad definition, Intelligence can generally be divided into two main types: Evolved Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence.

Evolved Intelligence
– Human Intelligence, e.g., human being
– Animal Intelligence e.g. dolphin
– Biological Intelligence, e.g., bacteria
– Systemic, e.g., immune system, global financial system

Designed Intelligence
– Artificial intelligence, e.g., chatbot
– Programmed intelligence, e.g., electronic calculator

Let’s look briefly at each in turn:

Human Intelligence: This form of intelligence is unique to humans, involving our ability to think abstractly, learn from experiences, and apply creative solutions to problems. For example, inventing new technologies or solving complex mathematical problems showcases human intelligence.

Animal Intelligence: Observed in various species, animal intelligence encompasses their ability to learn, remember, and solve problems based on instincts and experiences. An example is a dog learning commands or a bird using tools to obtain food.

Biological Intelligence: Exhibited by a wide range of life forms, from simple organisms like bacteria to complex ones like plants, this intelligence encompasses adaptive responses to environmental stimuli for survival. It includes bacteria navigating towards nutrients or avoiding toxins and trees altering their growth patterns in response to sunlight and water availability.

Systemic Intelligence: This type of intelligence emerges from the collective behavior of components within a system, whether biological, like ant colonies, or non-biological, like the global financial system. It arises from individual actions and interactions leading to complex, larger-scale behaviors. For example, in the global financial system, individual investment decisions and market trends collectively contribute to the dynamic behavior of financial markets, resembling systemic intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence: Characterized by its ability to process data through algorithms and learn from it, AI can perform tasks, make predictions, and solve problems. Examples include voice recognition software understanding spoken words or a self-driving car navigating through traffic.

Programmed Intelligence: Found in mechanical and digital systems, this intelligence operates through programmed instructions, enabling devices to respond to specific inputs with predetermined outputs. A thermostat maintaining room temperature or a calculator performing arithmetic operations are examples of programmed intelligence.”