Humankind has long aspired to take to the skies. Even after decades of innovation, our flight technology still doesn’t match the efficiency of birds. However, we continue to fly and are committed to advancing our technology to close this gap in the future.
Despite the inherent differences between birds and planes, both adhere to the same aerodynamic principles. A plane’s performance is influenced by five key forces that come into play during flight. In certain maneuvers, all these forces are simultaneously at work. Observing a plane soaring overhead often prompts awe at its ability to remain airborne in such a lightweight medium as air. The wings of the plane must generate a force that counteracts its weight, known as lift, to achieve this feat.
Mathematics plays a crucial role in describing the aerodynamics of a plane by providing the quantitative framework necessary to understand and predict the forces and motions involved. Aerodynamic principles, such as Bernoulli’s equation and the Navier-Stokes equations, use mathematical models to describe how air flows around the aircraft, influencing lift, drag, and thrust. These equations help engineers design efficient wings, fuselage shapes, and control surfaces to optimize performance, stability, and fuel efficiency. By solving these complex mathematical equations, engineers can simulate various flight conditions and enhance innovate new technologies in aviation.
Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) represent our efforts to develop Computer Intelligences. This form of intelligence allows a computer system to carry out tasks that normally require human intellect. These tasks encompass learning from experience, recognizing patterns, understanding natural language, solving problems, and making decisions.
AI is likely to evolve similarly to the way planes have developed over time. Currently, we are in the nascent stages of AI, comparable to the era of the first planes. Just as planes differ greatly from birds, we can anticipate that Computer Intelligence will diverge significantly from Human Intelligence.
Will Computer Intelligence surpass Human Intelligence in power? Most likely, yes. But will it possess the same or superior aptitudes as Human Intelligence? For some abilities, this seems probable, while for others, it remains uncertain. For example, can an AI dream? No one knows yet, as there is still much to learn about both Human Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence.
AI is mathematics and so computation. If it were possible to create an AI with all human aptitudes, including feelings and dreaming, would that imply humans are merely computational entities? Most people would disagree with such a notion.
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) refers to a type of artificial intelligence that possesses the ability to understand, learn, and apply knowledge across a broad range of tasks at a level comparable to human intelligence. Unlike narrow AI, which is designed for specific tasks, AGI aims to perform any intellectual task that a human can, including reasoning, problem-solving, learning from experience, and adapting to new situations. The development of AGI involves creating systems that can generalize their knowledge and skills across different domains, potentially leading to machines that can think, understand, and interact with the world in ways that are indistinguishable from human beings.
How much innovations will be necessary to achieve AGI? It is no doubt that AGI will be achieved in the future but AGI will remain a tool with far less aptitudes compared to Human Intelligence.
Conclusion
The advancement of aviation technology have long captivated humanity’s imagination. While our aircraft still lag behind the efficiency of birds, ongoing innovation drives us toward closing this gap. The principles governing flight, grounded in mathematics, elucidate the intricate dynamics of aerodynamics, guiding engineers in optimizing aircraft performance. Similarly, the realm of artificial intelligence, encompassing Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the aspirational Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), promises transformative capabilities akin to human intellect. Yet, as we navigate this frontier, it’s evident that while AI may excel in certain tasks, it will likely fall short in replicating the full breadth of human aptitudes. As AGI emerges on the horizon, it poses questions about the nature of intelligence and the boundaries of technological advancement. While AGI holds promise as a powerful tool, it is poised to remain distinct from the depth and complexity of human intelligence.
This article was originally published on Medium on 2 Jun. 2024 and is republished here with permission.
