What is artificial general intelligence (AGI)?
By McKinsey & Company
McKinsey & Company. (2024, March 21). What is artificial general intelligence (AGI)? https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-artificial-general-intelligence-agi
This McKinsey report serves as an educational primer on artificial general intelligence (AGI), distinguishing these theoretical systems from the current "prediction machines" like generative AI. The text is structured to move from definition to application, explaining that AGI would require human-level cognitive abilities, such as empathy and reasoning, which most experts believe are still decades away from realization. Key themes include the hardware and software breakthroughs necessary for progress—ranging from quantum computing to robotics—and the emergence of human-machine interfaces like neural implants. Ultimately, the purpose of the source is to provide a strategic roadmap for executives, urging them to invest in foundational data and ethical governance now to prepare for a future of total automation.