Currently, when we use the word ‘intelligence’ it’s usually linked to the adjective ‘artificial’. According to Google Trends, the search for ‘AI’ has grown exponentially in the last eighteen months. However, the search for ‘intelligence’ hasn’t changed in the last five years. The search for ‘human intelligence’ doesn’t even show up. We have been assuming that intelligence is human, there was no need to specify, unless we want to compare it now with the ‘artificial’ intelligence, such a hot topic nowadays. The searching term is clearly the acronym ‘AI’, though.

Since I like semantics, I wanted to look up the terms ‘intelligence’ and ‘intelligent’, in order to be able to think about the differences between human and artificial intelligence.

How would we know if or when someone is intelligent? The Cambridge English-German dictionary defines this adjective as “clever and quick at understanding”. It also gives two examples: An intelligent child and That dog is so intelligent. It’s hilarious that they use a dog as an example for being intelligent. Not because it can’t be intelligent, but because of all the examples available, the option with an animal wouldn’t be my first one.

According to the British Cambridge dictionary, the definition of intelligence is “the ability to learn, understand, and make judgments or have opinions that are based on reason”. According to US-American Merriam-Webster dictionary, intelligence is “(1) the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations” or ” (2) the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one’s environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria (such as tests)”.

Based on these definitions, can a machine have the ability to learn and understand, analyze, and interpret information? Does it have the capacity to learn from experiences and apply that knowledge effectively? Is a machine able to “apply knowledge to manipulate one’s environment”? I think it’s safe to say that machines are definitely able to perform all these things.

As proposed by psychologist Howard Gardner, known for his theory of multiple intelligences outlined in his 1983 book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, intelligence is not one single, general ability. Intelligence can manifest in different forms, including logical-mathematical intelligence, linguistic intelligence, spatial intelligence, or interpersonal intelligence. He argues that there are several intelligences that everyone possesses in different quantities. A major criticism of this theory is, however, that these forms of “intelligence” could be considered abilities, aptitudes or knowledge.

So what are the differences between the intelligence of a human and the intelligence of a machine?

There are surely many differences, but here are four of them:

1) Emotional intelligence. Humans usually have the ability to feel, recognize, understand, and/or express emotions in a more or less effective way, both in oneself and in others. We have the skills to have social interactions and relationships with a certain degree of empathy and sensitivity. An artificial intelligence system lacks emotional intelligence as it uses logic and algorithms without any nuances, feelings or empathy. There might be people who also lack the ability to recognize or interpret emotions correctly, but they are still able to experience emotions. A machine doesn’t.

2) Non-verbal communication*. A chatbot responds to your questions based on data, but cannot give you subtle meanings. Humans use gestures, facial expressions, body language or voice tone that express different emotions, intentions or feelings. These non-verbal expressions provide nuances and a specific context. A chatbot doesn’t.

3) Ethics or bias. Human intelligence can be influenced by cultural norms, biases and ethical considerations. Since AI is based on existing data, it can perpetuate the past biases that appear in the data. If we want the virtual world to be fair, transparent, and aligned with ethical principles, we need to act fair, transparent, and aligned with ethical principles in the real world.

To know more about ethical artificial intelligence, see Gloria Miller’s articles and papers below.

4) When it comes to making a decision, human intelligence is influenced by genetics, education, environmental factors, and by life experience. Artificial intelligence relies on algorithms and data to learn and make decisions. It lacks the contextual understanding and creativity of human intelligence, but it has facts and data to base on and make the decisions.

While there is a fear of AI such as the fear of losing jobs or freedoms or being surveilled, we can also consider these machines as tools to help us to improve all sort of areas, industries, forms of working, studying, ultimately forms of living. Artificial intelligence does not equal human intelligence. Leveraging both human and artificial intelligence is the key.

The following are a few related blog posts:

• AI Accountability — The Rite Aid Case – maxmetrics
• The intersection between project success factors and AI ethical principles – maxmetrics
• Connecting Project Teams to Data Driven Decision-Making and Ethical Artificial Intelligence – maxmetrics

*See also Smooth Communication with and within your Team – maxmetrics