Mark Gubrud's 1997 Paper Identified as True Origin of 'Artificial General Intelligence' Term

Technology journalist Steven Levy recently unveiled the surprising origin of the term "Artificial General Intelligence" (AGI), a concept now central to the global tech conversation. As detailed in his Wired article, the phrase was first coined in 1997 by physicist Mark Gubrud, predating its widespread adoption by decades. Gubrud introduced AGI in a paper discussing the implications of advanced technologies on international security, a context far removed from today's commercial AI race. This revelation challenges common assumptions about the term's relatively recent emergence in mainstream discourse.

Gubrud defined AGI as "AI systems that rival or surpass the human brain in complexity and speed, that can acquire, manipulate and reason with general knowledge." His primary motivation was to differentiate this advanced form of AI from the "expert systems" prevalent at the time, which were designed for specific, narrow tasks. He sought a term to describe a more versatile intelligence capable of performing "essentially any phase of industrial or military operations where a human intelligence would otherwise be needed," according to Levy's report. His foresight highlighted the transformative, and potentially dangerous, capabilities of such technology.

While Gubrud's 1997 paper had limited immediate impact, the term "AGI" was later "reinvented" and popularized in the early 2000s. Computer scientists like Ben Goertzel and Shane Legg independently arrived at the phrase while seeking to describe AI with broad human-like cognitive abilities. This renewed interest led to the establishment of dedicated journals and conferences, solidifying AGI's place in academic and research circles. The concept gained further traction as the pursuit of more generalized AI capabilities intensified.

Today, AGI has become a cornerstone of the modern AI industry, frequently invoked by companies like OpenAI as a strategic objective and powerful marketing tool. According to a report by the AI Now Institute, OpenAI's use of AGI has been instrumental in attracting massive investment and shaping its narrative, particularly during crucial fundraising periods. The report suggests that the concept helps position companies as stewards of a potentially world-changing, albeit expensive, technology. This strategic deployment has fueled the current AI boom, with AGI serving as both an aspirational goal and a commercial driver.

Despite the term's current association with multi-billion dollar valuations and technological breakthroughs, Gubrud's original concerns about an "arms race" and the societal implications of advanced AI remain pertinent. Levy notes Gubrud's career has been less celebrated, stating, "It’s taking over the world, worth literally trillions of dollars... And I am a 66-year-old with a worthless PhD and no name and no money and no job." His early warnings about the potential for catastrophic international conflicts due to such technologies underscore the enduring ethical and safety debates surrounding AGI development. Gubrud's legacy, though often overlooked, lies in naming a concept that continues to shape humanity's technological future.